Is It Time to Hire a Consultant? Have a Conversation with One and Find Out

Is this you? A powerful mission drives your nonprofit, but lately, you're stuck in the daily grind. Maybe you're struggling with strategic planning, leadership development, or finding sustainable funding streams. Perhaps you’ve tried different approaches, but nothing seems to create lasting change.

That’s where a consultant can come in.

In this article, we’ll explain how working with a consultant can help nonprofits like yours solve these challenges, streamline operations, and ultimately achieve long-term impact.

Here’s an example of a conversation with a nonprofit that runs a social enterprise (let’s say, a thrift store) and is struggling with personnel issues. The nonprofit’s social enterprise aims to generate revenue to fund its mission but faces staff performance, retention, and morale challenges.

Opening: Understanding the Problem

Consultant: "Thanks for taking the time to talk today. I know managing a social enterprise alongside the nonprofit’s mission can be challenging. Can you walk me through what’s happening with your team?"

Nonprofit Leader: "Honestly, we’re struggling with our thrift store staff. We’ve had high turnover, low morale, and I feel like people are just going through the motions. It’s impacting our sales and our ability to serve the community."

Current State: Pain Points

Consultant: "That sounds tough. Where do you feel most stuck in addressing this issue?"

Nonprofit Leader: "I think the biggest issue is that our staff doesn’t seem motivated. We’ve lost some key people recently, and the ones who stayed are either burnt out or not performing as well. We’re short-staffed, and I’m not sure how to keep them engaged or bring in new talent."

Consultant: "What do you think is causing that burnout or lack of motivation?"

Nonprofit Leader: "I think a lot of it comes down to the workload. We’ve been relying on the same core group of people for a while, and they’re spread thin. On top of that, we don’t have the budget to offer competitive salaries, and there’s not much room for growth within the organization."

Impact and Costs

Consultant: "How long have you been dealing with this staffing issue, and what has the impact been on the thrift store’s operations?"

Nonprofit Leader: "It’s been getting worse over the past six months. We’ve had to cut back on store hours because we don’t have enough staff to cover shifts. That’s hurt our sales, and the whole purpose of the thrift store is to generate revenue for the nonprofit, so that’s been a big hit."

Consultant: "So it’s not just about keeping the store running—this is directly affecting your ability to fund the nonprofit’s mission?"

Nonprofit Leader: "Exactly. If we can’t solve this, it’s going to start impacting the services we provide to the community."

Desired State: Goals

Consultant: "Where would you like to be instead? What would a successful team and operation look like for you?"

Nonprofit Leader: "I’d love to have a full, dedicated staff who are motivated and feel like they’re part of something bigger. I want to create a culture where people are excited to come to work and know that they’re contributing to the mission. Ideally, we’d also have enough resources to offer better pay or benefits."

Consultant: "And what would success look like for the thrift store itself in the next year?"

Nonprofit Leader: "Ideally, we’d have enough staff to operate at full capacity, increase sales, and generate more revenue for the nonprofit. I want the store to feel like a well-oiled machine again."

Obstacle: What’s Standing in the Way

Consultant: "What do you feel is stopping you from achieving that right now?"

Nonprofit Leader: "Honestly, it’s a mix of things. The budget is big—we can’t afford to pay people more. But I also think we need to rethink how we’re managing the staff we do have. Maybe there’s a way to make them feel more connected to the mission, but I’m unsure where to start."

Consultant: "Do you feel like there are gaps in leadership or communication that might contribute to these issues?"

Nonprofit Leader: "Possibly. I’m stretched thin myself, and I think the store manager is too. We’re both juggling a lot, and maybe that’s trickling down to the rest of the team."

Closing: Next Steps and Solutions

Consultant: "Thanks for sharing all of that—it gives me a clearer picture of what’s going on. I think there are a few areas we can explore to help. We could look at ways to improve staff engagement and morale, even without a big budget increase, by creating more opportunities for connection to the mission. We could also explore leadership development for the store manager so they feel more supported in managing the team. How does that sound?"

Nonprofit Leader: "That sounds great. We definitely need help with engagement and leadership."

Consultant: "I’ll also send you some resources that might help with staff retention and motivation. And, if you’re open to it, we can schedule a follow-up to dig deeper into creating a plan. How does that sound?"

Nonprofit Leader: "Perfect. I really appreciate your help with this."

In the end, partnering with a consultant is about more than just solving immediate problems—it’s about positioning your nonprofit for long-term success. By bringing in an outside perspective, you gain clarity, fresh strategies, and a roadmap for growth that aligns with your mission. Whether you are looking to improve internal operations, enhance leadership, or boost community impact, a consultant can bridge where you are now and where you want to be. The process might initially feel unfamiliar, but the results speak for themselves: a more vital, more sustainable organization ready to thrive in its mission.

About Us

Langlois Consultant Services, LLC. is uniquely positioned to help organizations discover and articulate their mission and purpose, leading them toward meaningful impact and long-term success.

Our Owner and Principal, Ray Langlois, is committed to assisting organizations in not only defining their purpose but also living it fully. By aligning purpose with action, we support our clients in becoming agents of positive change in their community, inspiring loyalty, driving innovation, and building a legacy.