Every business owner wants strong growth, better positioning and long-term stability. But success does not depend only on great ideas. It depends on decisions.
One right decision can create momentum.
One overlooked decision can stop an entire business operation.
A real example from a popular beverage brand shows exactly how costly a small oversight can be.
The Bira Story: A Small Change That Became a Big Loss
Bira, a young and fast-growing beer brand, decided to make a slight change to its name. The intention was simple. Refresh the identity. Sharpen the brand. Connect better with customers.
But behind that simple creative decision was a compliance requirement that the company failed to consider.
Here is what went wrong:
- •Old stock with the previous name had already been dispatched into the market
- •New stock with the updated name was fully manufactured and ready
- •A fresh license approval was required to legally sell under the modified brand name
- •The company proceeded with production before securing the new license.
- •The approval did not arrive on time.
The consequence
Old Stock
Already in market
Could not be sold
New Stock
Sitting in factory
Could not be launched
This resulted in:
- Inventory blockage
- Zero sales for both old and new batches
- Loss of revenue
- Damage to market presence
- Delay in brand momentum
All because one detail was missed.
The problem was not the name change.
The problem was the lack of strategic guidance before making the change.
This example is now often referenced across industries because it shows how a simple decision can create multi-crore losses when compliance is not aligned.
What a Consultant Would Have Solved Instantly
A business consultant would have checked:
Licensing rules related to name modification
Approval timelines from authorities
Impact of the change on existing inventory
Ideal timing for the rebranding and roll-out
Compliance needed to avoid operational blockage
In short, a consultant would have prevented the mistake before it happened. The cost of consultancy would have been a fraction of the loss the company experienced.
Consultancy Is Not a Cost. It Is Protection Against Costly Mistakes
Entrepreneurs often say: "I know my business. Why should I hire a consultant?"
But consultancy is not about replacing knowledge. It is about adding perspective you may not have considered.
A consultant provides:
- Experience from multiple industries
- Risk identification before decisions
- Compliance awareness
- Financial planning and forecasting
- Market entry and expansion strategy
- Protection against hidden operational risks
Consultancy is not an expense.
Consultancy prevents expenses.
Where Businesses Go Wrong Without Guidance
| Without Consultancy | With Consultancy |
|---|---|
Rebranding without compliance check | Smooth approvals and legal alignment |
Scaling without financial planning | Healthy cash flow and controlled growth |
Entering new markets blindly | Data-backed expansion strategy |
Ignoring licenses and tax rules | Zero penalties and uninterrupted operations |
Hiring or expanding too fast | Planned workforce and cost control |
Without Consultancy
Rebranding without compliance check
With Consultancy
Smooth approvals and legal alignment
Without Consultancy
Scaling without financial planning
With Consultancy
Healthy cash flow and controlled growth
Without Consultancy
Entering new markets blindly
With Consultancy
Data-backed expansion strategy
Without Consultancy
Ignoring licenses and tax rules
With Consultancy
Zero penalties and uninterrupted operations
Without Consultancy
Hiring or expanding too fast
With Consultancy
Planned workforce and cost control
Key Insight: Most failures do not come from big decisions. They come from small decisions made without expertise.
So, Should You Hire a Business Consultant
If you are planning:
A brand change
Expanding capacity or production
Entering a new city or state
Applying for government schemes
Launching a new product line
Adjusting pricing, finance or structure
Then yes, you should consider consulting support. The cost of one wrong decision is always higher than the cost of hiring a consultant who prevents it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1Why do businesses need a consultant if they already have experience?
Because consultants identify risks, compliance requirements and strategic gaps that business owners may overlook during fast decision-making.
2Are consultants only for large companies?
No. MSMEs, startups and growing businesses benefit the most because small mistakes can create a heavy financial impact.
3How does a consultant prevent losses?
By aligning decisions with compliance, planning timelines, verifying documents, forecasting risks and ensuring smooth execution.
4Is hiring a consultant expensive for small businesses?
Consultancy costs are small compared to losses caused by wrong decisions, delayed approvals or compliance mistakes.
5When should a business consider hiring a consultant?
During rebranding, expansion, market entry, financial restructuring, license-related decisions or when applying for government schemes.
Conclusion
The Bira incident is not just a story. It is a reminder for every business owner.
One unchecked detail.
One missing approval.
One unplanned move.
And the entire business can come to a halt.
Consultancy protects your decisions, your money and your growth.
Next time you think consultancy fees are high, ask yourself:
What is truly expensive?
Consultancy, or the damage caused by a decision taken without it?
Ready to Make Better Business Decisions?
At SetuBridge Solutions, we specialize in helping MSMEs and startups make strategic decisions that prevent costly mistakes. Our expert consultants guide you through compliance, planning, and growth strategies that save lakhs. We also help businesses access government schemes and navigate funding opportunities.