Choosing to hire a consultant can be one of the best decisions an organization can make. Recognizing that you need assistance, input or simply someone to say the kind of things that can only come from an outsiders perspective is a critical first step. Organizations that have never hired a consultant before, or those who have been burned by a bad consulting experience, often find themselves paralyzed by a few questions or the fear of another bad experience, and struggle with making the decision to hire a consultant. The following Q & A may help you as you consider hiring a consultant: