Recently, I hired a marketing firm to work with my company, Guident Business Solution, LLC, because I thought I needed a subject matter expert to help me evaluate how I communicate the benefits of my company in today’s dynamic business environment.

Even though I was the one who initiated the relationship with a very well-known professional company I had resisted making some of the changes they suggested. One such change was the redesign of my company logo, which I have had since 2009 when I started the company, and by the way, I designed the logo myself. I don’t know why I resisted, maybe because I designed it or because I invested significantly in promoting the logo in the market.

So what did I do? I went on a quest to prove that my logo was the better design, of course. After all, I am the business owner and I launched this company many years ago and just to be sure, we are doing very well helping businesses succeed and grow. Why change something that is not broken, I thought! So I began to ask the opinions of some of my most trusted advisors and others who did not know I existed prior to this point. Frankly, I would ask anyone who was in earshot!

As I began my research I would ask which of these two logos looks better? This unproven redesigned logo or this old and trusted logo? Now I don’t remember asking the question in just that manner, but some of my most trusted and honest advisors suggested I was moving forward with a more than slight bias! I guess they may have been right. Nonetheless, repeatedly I received the unexpected response that the new logo was an improvement and of the two logos most (okay, all who I asked) said the new logo was the clear winner.

Today I am using the new logo and truth be told, I am very happy with the results. A more import lesson for me is the fact that I had to pivot and accept the advice of the subject matter expert I hired. As the owner of the business I get asked my opinion every day. I consider myself the subject matter expert in my business and I am very comfortable having others look to me for guidance. Having to step back and take advice and/or direction is not my strong suit, so it is even more important for me to listen to those experts I have hired who are suggesting improvements to my business. As a person who has been running various businesses for more than forty years, this has been a valuable lesson learned.   

I often think of the logo lesson when I suggest to business owners to create an advisory team for their business. I suggest these original advisory team members: your CPA, your banker, and your lawyer. Additional professionals can be consulted as needed, such as a professional marketing firm. This team is charged with advising the owner when important decisions need to be made. I often say, “I am much smarter in a room full of people than I am by myself.”

Surrounding ourselves with smart employees and accomplished advisors is just good business. Best of luck creating your team of advisors!