Lehmann says accounting presents challenges for him. Ron Trimble of TrimSoft agrees. The hardest tasks to manage are marketing, sales and accounting. These are critical areas that are part of every business. Finding the time to do these tasks well is difficult.
Most consultants dislike the amount of time spent on marketing.
Trimble also said he does not enjoy the ups and downs of the sales cycle and Rooney agreed that she dislikes the marketing aspects of consulting. Mark Campbell, who provides executive coaching and management development, finds that the isolation of working independently requires him to make efforts to connect with people. His solution is attending professional meetings, making calls to other self-employed friends or breaking up the day with a visit to the health club. Of the consultants interviewed for this article, none were inclined to rush back to a corporate position. Freedom is an oft-repeated response from independent consultants.