The business of consulting
Subtitle: the basics and beyond
By: Elaine Biech ; foreword by Jim Kouzes
Edition: 2nd ed
Series: Essential resources for training and HR professionals; Pfeiffer essential resources for training and HR professionals
Publisher: Pfeiffer
Published: 2007
Place of publication: San Francisco
Language: eng
Number of pages: 302
ISBN-13: 9780787994648
Subjects: Consulting firms -- Management; Business consultants
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 287-288) and index
Table of contents: title: So you want to be a consultant; title: What is consulting?; title: Four ways to get started; title: Why consulting now?; title: Myths about consulting; title: Rewards and realities of consulting; title: Just what are you getting yourself into?; title: Talents and tolerance; title: Skills for success; title: Personal characteristics of successful consultants; title: Roles you may play; title: Signs of a mediocre consultant; title: Your personal situation; title: Caution: business owner ahead; title: Entrepreneurial characteristics; title: Dollars and sense; title: How much money do you require?; title: How much should you charge?; title: Selecting a pricing structure; title: Other pricing decisions; title: Other charges; title: Fee increases; title: Ethics of pricing; title: Money discussions; title: Value of a guarantee; title: Starting; title: What's in a name?; title: Choosing an accountant; title: Business structure; title: Business plans; title: Start-up costs; title: Your niche; title: Your image; title: Experience; title: ...And staying in business; title: A marketing plan; title: Do I need a website?; title: Surprising but practical thoughts on marketing; title: 113 tactics for low-budget marketing; title: Contacts with potential clients; title: Proposals and contracts; title: How to refuse an assignment; title: Ways to stay in business; title: The cost of doing business; title: Plan for the worst; title: Watch your cash flow; title: Track expenses; title: Set aside petty cash; title: Charge your client; title: Project revenues; title: Deal with bad debts; title: Keep an eye on your numbers; title: Protect your capital investments; title: Building a client relationship; title: The first meeting; title: Four phases of building a client-consultant partnership; title: How to improve the relationship continuously; title: It's the people; title: How to maintain the relationship after the project is finished; title: More value for the client; title: How many clients do I need?; title: Ensure success; title: Growing pains; title: Adding people; title: Growing without adding people; title: Expand your geographical market; title: Do everything you can to grow your current business; title: Final thoughts; title: The ethics of the business; title: Consultant to client; title: Consultant to consultant; title: Client to consultant; title: Code of ethics; title: Exude professionalism; title: Measuring up; title: Continuing to learn; title: Balancing your life and your business; title: Managing your time; title: Giving back; title: A personal checkup; title: Do you still want to be a consultant?; title: A week in a consultant's life; title: Visualizing success; title: Taking action; title: Getting ready