The business of consulting : the basics and beyond /
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
San Francisco :
Pfeiffer,
©2007.
|
| Edition: | 2nd ed. |
| Series: | Essential resources for training and HR professionals
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&AN=208042 |
Table of Contents:
- So you want to be a consultant
- What is consulting?
- Four ways to get started
- Why consulting now?
- Myths about consulting
- Rewards and realities of consulting
- Just what are you getting yourself into?
- Talents and tolerance
- Skills for success
- Personal characteristics of successful consultants
- Roles you may play
- Signs of a mediocre consultant
- Your personal situation
- Caution: business owner ahead
- Entrepreneurial characteristics
- Dollars and sense
- How much money do you require?
- How much should you charge?
- Selecting a pricing structure
- Other pricing decisions
- Other charges
- Fee increases
- Ethics of pricing
- Money discussions
- Value of a guarantee
- Starting
- What's in a name?
- Choosing an accountant
- Business structure
- Business plans
- Start-up costs
- Your niche
- Your image
- Experience
- ... And staying in business
- A marketing plan
- Do I need a website?
- Surprising but practical thoughts on marketing
- 113 tactics for low-budget marketing
- Contacts with potential clients
- Proposals and contracts
- How to refuse an assignment
- Ways to stay in business
- The cost of doing business
- Plan for the worst
- Watch your cash flow
- Track expenses
- Set aside petty cash
- Charge your client
- Project revenues
- Deal with bad debts
- Keep an eye on your numbers
- Protect your capital investments
- Building a client relationship
- The first meeting
- Four phases of building a client-consultant partnership
- How to improve the relationship continuously
- It's the people
- How to maintain the relationship after the project is finished
- More value for the client
- How many clients do I need?
- Ensure success
- Growing pains
- Adding people
- Growing without adding people
- Expand your geographical market
- Do everything you can to grow your current business
- Final thoughts
- The ethics of the business
- Consultant to client
- Consultant to consultant
- Client to consultant
- Code of ethics
- Exude professionalism
- Measuring up
- Continuing to learn
- Balancing your life and your business
- Managing your time
- Giving back
- A personal checkup
- Do you still want to be a consultant?
- A week in a consultant's life
- Visualizing success
- Taking action
- Getting ready.