growth consultant - Growth Method

Growth consultants: What they do & how to hire one

Article written by

Stuart Brameld

Hiring a growth consultant can supercharge your business by providing targeted strategies for amplifying growth and increasing profits. Their expertise in analysing market trends and crafting unique marketing plans can give your business the competitive edge it needs.

"Every modern business should have a growth consultant because they can provide valuable insights and strategies to enhance business performance, increase customer base and drive sustainable economic growth."
Stuart Brameld, Growth Method CEO & Growth Advisor

Growth & growth marketing on the rise

According to Google Trends, worldwide interested in growth marketing has increased substantially over the last 15 years, and continues to grow.

The LinkedIn 2023 Jobs on the Rise list examines millions of jobs started by LinkedIn members across the last 5 years. The results reveal the 25 fastest-growing job titles over the past five years, the most in-demand roles and emerging trends defining the future world of work.

Growth and growth marketing related roles were consistently placed in the top 10 fastest-growing roles worldwide, with 2 growth-related roles in the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing jobs.

What is the role of a growth consultant

A growth consultant's primary responsibility is to help businesses achieve their goals and prosper by focusing on increasing customer acquisition, activation, retention, referral, and revenue. This approach, known as the AARRR framework or the entire customer lifecycle, involves aligning the business model with growth strategies. You can learn more about AARRR on the following page: growthmethod.com/aarrr/. The consultant would devise a unique growth strategy tailored specifically for the business to facilitate its expansion. For further reading on growth strategy, visit: growthmethod.com/growth-marketing-strategy/.

Growth consultants also champion a culture of experimentation, where they run numerous tests to find the best way to promote growth. These activities or tests are part of a tactic called marketing experimentation. This approach means they try various strategies to see which produces the best results. More about marketing experimentation can be found on this link: growthmethod.com/marketing-experimentation/. By applying data-driven decisions and continuous learning, they instill a growth culture within the business — a culture where everyone constantly finds creative and innovative solutions to help the business grow. Find more on growth culture here:

What makes a great growth hire?

A modern growth hire requires a wide base level of knowledge, along with deep expertise in one or two areas well-suited to your business.

The T-Shaped Marketer framework popularised by Buffer illustrates the concept well.

The vertical bar on the T represents the depth of related skills and expertise in a single field, whereas the horizontal bar is the ability to collaborate across disciplines with experts in other areas and to apply knowledge in areas of expertise other than one’s own.

Required skills for a growth consultant

Here are some of the core traits and skills of a good growth consultant.

Curiosity: Continually seeks out new knowledge and strategies to help their clients flourish.
Adaptability: Quick to react and adjust to changes in the market and the needs of their clients.
Data-driven: Relies on metrics and number analyses to guide their strategies and evaluate their effectiveness.
Technical Knowledge: Adept at using digital tools for marketing like SEO, web analytics and social media platforms.
Resourcefulness: Finds unique solutions to problems with the resources at hand.
Excellent Communication Skills: Conveys ideas clearly and listens carefully to their clients' needs and suggestions.
Forward Thinking: Always thinking ahead, planning for long-term growth and ready for potential challenges.