Small Business and Non-Profit Lawyers Can Act as Strategic Business Advisors

More and more, CEOs are turning to Fractional General Counsel for help with strategic business decisions. Utilizing, a business lawyer in this manner is often overlooked. After all, CEOs have plenty of other advisors, from financial experts to marketing gurus.  And, it is also true that many business lawyers understand the law, but they do not understand business.   

In general, business lawyers are trained to think about the long-term consequences of every decision. We are used to advising clients on the risks and rewards of taking a certain course of action, and we are good at spotting potential problems down the road.  But not all business lawyers understand business. 

This sounds like an oxymoron but it is true.  Understanding how to draft a contract is not the same as understanding how that contract fits within your business model.   Does your business lawyer understand how your business model relates to the overall success of your business?

What Does It Mean to Be a Strategic Business Advisor?

A strategic business advisor is someone who helps a CEO make decisions that will have a positive impact on the company’s bottom line. This involves more than just giving legal advice; it also means providing guidance on financial matters, human resources, and even public relations. In short, a strategic business advisor is someone who takes a comprehensive approach to advising CEOs on how to run their companies. 

Why Hire a Strategic Business Advisor? 

There are many reasons why CEOs might want to hire a strategic business advisor. Perhaps the most important reason is that advisors can help CEOs avoid making costly mistakes. With so much at stake, it pays to have someone in your corner who can help you steer clear of trouble. 

Another reason to hire an advisor is that they can provide an outside perspective on the company. This can be invaluable when it comes to making decisions about the company’s future direction. Advisors can also provide insights into trends that may impact the company, and they can help connect CEOs with the right people. 

Finally, advisors can help CEOs stay focused on the big picture. With so many demands on their time, it can be easy for CEOs to get bogged down in the day-to-day details of running a company. A good advisor will keep them focused on their long-term goals and ensure that they are taking advantage of every opportunity to grow the business. 

Your business is unique. You have your own goals, your own target market, your own competitive landscape. So why would you take advice from someone who does not really understand your business? A generalist may be able to give you some broad advice, but if you really want to grow your business, you need a strategic business advisor – someone who can provide tailored, specific advice that takes into account the nuanced details of your business.

As a small business and non-profit lawyer, I have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities you face. I am not just a legal expert; I am also a business strategist. I can help you navigate the complex legal landscape and make sure you’re taking advantage of all the opportunities available to you.

Common Areas a Business Lawyer Can Help You With Strategic Planning

1. Business Formation and Growth

One of the most important roles that small business and non-profit lawyers can play is helping you to choose the right legal structure for your organization. This is an important decision that will have long-term implications for your business, so it’s not one that should be made lightly. Your lawyer can also help you to draft contracts and agreements related to your business, such as employment contracts, vendor contracts, and leases. And if you’re planning on expanding your business by opening new locations or adding new products or services, your lawyer can help you to navigate the regulatory landscape and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

2. Tax Compliance

Another area where small business and non-profit lawyers can provide valuable assistance is in tax compliance. Whether it is helping with finding the right professional to handle your business finances or to help ensure that you are in compliance with loans, grants, or other financial obligations, your lawyer can ensure that you’re complying with all applicable laws and regulations. This is especially important for small businesses and nonprofits, which may be subject to different tax rules than larger organizations.

3. Risk Management

Finally, small business and nonprofit lawyers can also help you to manage risk within your organization. This includes identifying potential risks associated with your business activities and developing strategies to mitigate those risks. For example, if you are planning on entering into a contract with another organization, your lawyer can review the contract and make sure that it contains provisions that protect your interests in case of a dispute. By proactively addressing potential risks before they materialize, you can minimize the impact of those risks on your organization’s bottom line.

There are many reasons why hiring a strategic business advisor makes sense for CEOs. From helping them avoid costly mistakes to providing an outside perspective on the company, advisors can play a critical role in helping CEOs make informed decisions about the future of their businesses. 

Finding a small business or non-profit lawyer that has the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the complex legal landscape and take advantage of all the opportunities available to you is essential. Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you grow your small business or non-profit organization.