When it comes to starting up or growing your company, you typically have two options available to you when looking for business solutions; general or specialized solutions. For instance, if you’re looking to move into a new office, then you can either choose a general furniture solution such as IKEA, or you can pick a specialized solution that has furniture related to your industry or workplace.

Another example would be choosing between an IT consultant for a food business versus a general managed IT services company.

The tradeoff is that you usually end up paying more money for a specialized solution. This is usually the go-to option for a large company that has the funds, but what if you’re trying to grow a small business and don’t have a large amount of capital? Do you invest in a specialized solution or go for a cheaper choice that you can already afford?

Determine Your Needs First

Firstly, it’s a good idea to determine what your needs are. If you’re a tech company that just needs a large office space, then picking a fast furniture company over a company that specializes in office furniture is going to be a cheaper option that will provide similar results. However, if you’re a growing brand that wants to set itself apart, especially when it comes to recruiting new employees, then having a bespoke office designed for your company will make a much bigger impact.

Another good example would be choosing between a company that specializes in medical practice furniture such as Perfect Practice versus a general furniture company. Since medical practices are built completely different to most workplaces, it’s best to have an expert at your side to help you design your medical practice instead of trying to do it on your own with regular pieces of furniture.

Seek a Recommendation When Possible

Regardless if you choose a general or specialized solution for your business, it’s always a good idea to seek a recommendation when possible. There are some general solutions providers, especially when it comes to the IT world, that are more than capable of providing a cost-effective solution that will suit most businesses. However, if you’re looking for the best of the best, then a recommendation for a specialized solution will generally be preferable.

Have a Thorough Meeting Before Picking a Solutions Provider

You should also ensure that you have a thorough meeting with the solutions provider. This will help you determine where you should invest your money. For general solutions providers, make sure they understand your needs and that they’re well-equipped for what you need them to do. When speaking to a specialized solutions provider, ensure that their services actually fit what you need them to do since their area of expertise could be above the scope of what you need them to do.

Think With Your Instincts

At the end of the day, your instincts will help you make better decisions in the business world. A lot of people rely too heavily on advice from others, but the reality is that you need to decide what’s good or bad for your business based on experience and your own gut feeling.