An action plan for working as a consultant Management consulting is a $250 billion industry and growing at a rate of over four percent annually. Many predict that more than 40 percent of the U.S. workforce will soon be contingent, freelance, or consulting members of the workforce—making this book more relevant than ever. Individuals become independent consultants out of necessity or preference: necessity because they lost their job or the company offered an attractive exit package; preference because they want a career change, more control over their time, or an enriched, varied work situation. Consulting also appeals to the Millennial workforce who are searching for careers that offer a good salary as well as meaningful work. The New Consultant’s Quick Start Guide: • Serves as a companion to The New Business of Consulting • Provides you with a place to plan your transition into consulting • Helps you identify your niche, develop a business plan, charge what you’re worth, and create a marketing strategy to ensure a steady stream of clients • Prepares you for changes you will encounter beyond your professional life, including social, family, and financial aspects The New Consultant’s Quick Start Guide helps you work through the challenges of consulting such as working alone, deciding on necessary insurance coverage, finding your first clients, struggling with cash flow, and understanding market trends.

At last, a complete business plan guide just for independentconsultants! . . . And who better to write it than North America's#1 bestselling author on consulting? Unlike most general business plan books that focus on raisingcapital and applying for loans, this unique do-it-yourself guideconcentrates on defining services and products. Written by HermanHoltz, the nation's leading expert on making it as an independentconsultant, it tells you everything you need to know to develop arealistic, workable business plan that prepares you for anycontingency and helps guide your day-to-day decision making as yourbusiness flourishes and grows. Numerous illustrations andworksheets guide your every step and save you the drudgery ofstarting from scratch. This book covers all business planningtopics of crucial concern to consultants, including: * Defining your products or services * Market research and sales strategies * Rate structures and income projections * Worksheets to help you create objectives and set goals * Sample business plan Includes the Author's Disk to help you prepare your business plan,from defining your services and target market to estimatingstart-up costs, setting rates and consulting fees, and projectingincome. Boilerplate contracts and letters of agreement are alsoprovided.

Everything you ever wanted to know about consulting—a practical roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs Seismic changes occurring in the workforce are leading to more and more people entering the world of contract, freelance, and contingency work. Rapid changes in demographics and advances in technology have led companies and talent to engage in profoundly new ways and consulting is one of the keys to success. The New Business of Consulting is authentic and practical, and shares the knowledge and skills required to start and grow a successful consulting business. From how to make a smooth career transition, to how to determine a consulting fee, to how consultants inadvertently create a bad reputation, it covers everything you need to know to thrive and flourish in this competitive field. Covers contemporary topics, such as how to achieve success in the gig economy Discloses a reliable technique to land the clients you want Presents options to help you balance your life and your business Prepares you for naming your business, managing critical financial issues, and building a client relationship Shows you how to take your income and impact beyond working as a solopreneur The crucial start-up days of a consulting business may be frenetic and fraught with questions. This new edition provides sanity and answers all the questions. It includes practical tools, templates, and checklists that you can download and implement immediately.

Thinking of consulting? Want to earn more from your clients? Discover how to set your consulting fees and get more money from every contract. Influence the way existing and potential clients view you and your consulting business by analyzing your market and using your fees as a marketing tool. Calculate your rate using consulting fee models. Navigate sticky situations - like requests to cut your fees, negotiate your quotes or work for free. Andrea Coutu's Consulting Fees helps consultants calculate consulting fees that they can ask for with confidence.

How can you take your skills and expertise and package and present it to become a successful consultant? There are proven time-tested principles, strategies, tactics and best-practices the most successful consultants use to start, run and grow their consulting business. Consulting Success teaches you what they are. In this book you'll learn: - How to position yourself as a leading expert and authority in your marketplace - Effective marketing and branding materials that get the attention of your ideal clients - Strategies to increase your fees and earn more with every project - The proposal template that has generated millions of dollars in consulting engagements - How to develop a pipeline of business and attract ideal clients - Productivity secrets for consultants including how to get more done in one week than most people do in a month - And much, much more

Whether you’re a beginner just starting up a consulting practice, or a veteran looking for ways to invigorate your existing business, An Insider’s Guide to Building a Successful Consulting Practice is an invaluable resource. Featuring real stories from consultants in diverse industries, the book offers simple yet powerful ways to: Identify a market and narrow your focus • Make a smooth transition from employee to independent consultant • Sell effectively even if you’ve never sold before • Establish visibility through speaking, writing, and networking • Build credibility by leveraging the credibility of others • Set prices based on value • Develop a marketing strategy and divide your time between marketing and delivering your services • Keep plenty of work in your pipeline • Adapt and thrive in any market condition • And much more Complete with the results of an original survey of 200 successful independent consultants, this handy guide provides the kind of real-life advice you need to build a thriving business.

This sequel has been thoroughly updated to cover current government procurement rules affecting consultants along with a broad range of marketing, financial, professional and ethical issues. Features the latest in computer and office equipment with tips on purchasing the right product. A complete ``Reference File'' contains suggested books, periodicals, consultants' organizations, public speaking contacts and much more.

At last, a complete business plan guide just for independentconsultants! . . . And who better to write it than North America's#1 bestselling author on consulting? Unlike most general business plan books that focus on raisingcapital and applying for loans, this unique do-it-yourself guideconcentrates on defining services and products. Written by HermanHoltz, the nation's leading expert on making it as an independentconsultant, it tells you everything you need to know to develop arealistic, workable business plan that prepares you for anycontingency and helps guide your day-to-day decision making as yourbusiness flourishes and grows. Numerous illustrations andworksheets guide your every step and save you the drudgery ofstarting from scratch. This book covers all business planningtopics of crucial concern to consultants, including: * Defining your products or services * Market research and sales strategies * Rate structures and income projections * Worksheets to help you create objectives and set goals * Sample business plan Includes the Author's Disk to help you prepare your business plan,from defining your services and target market to estimatingstart-up costs, setting rates and consulting fees, and projectingincome. Boilerplate contracts and letters of agreement are alsoprovided.

The Consultant's Quick Start Guide offers a practical approach to setting up a consulting business. Throughout the guide, Elaine Biech--author of the best-selling The Business of Consulting--shares both her own secrets as well as those of numerous other successful consultants. With a focus on the business side of consulting, Biech takes you through a painless, fill-in-the-blanks, step-by-step process for setting up your consulting firm. New sections include: Why A Consulting Career—Five Reasons Why You May Be a Good Investment How Much Will Clients Pay? Your first "To Do" List What to call your business Creating and writing Business Plans Office Location Options Setting up your office, including Furnishing Your Office and planning your Technical Needs Electronic Records, including Monthly Expense Records, Revenue Projections, and Invoicing Staying Organized, including a Session Planner Determining your market niche Creating your marketing plan Developing your website Reviewing your first year with your family Electronic resource list, available online Skills And Knowledge Required of Consultants

Designed as the go-to reference for managing a consulting business, The Business of Consulting is candid, practical, and eminently useful. Fine-tuned to address the changes in today’s business environment, this vital resource outlines the basics for managing a consulting practice and shows how to: Develop a business plan Market your business Charge for your services Build a client relationship Grow the business Ensure your continued professional growth Make money in the profession