Vanishing Profits? Don't call Ghostbusters; call a consultant.

It's probably entered your mind--and left it almost asquickly. Sales are sluggish, quick fixes haven't worked, andyou're not sure where, or to whom, you can turn. Perhaps, youthink, a sales consultant could help you get to the bottom of yourproblems. Don't dismiss the idea outright; consider thepossible benefits of expert advice.

A good consultant can significantly improve a business'sales, whether it's by revitalizing a stagnant department orhelping a sales force crack into new markets. The trick is toselect the right person. In a field where, truth be told, anyonewho has sold newspapers or worked at a department store can claimto be a sales expert, that may be challenging--but the outcome mayvery well be worth the extra time and effort.