The business of consulting : the basics and beyond / Elaine Biech ; foreword by Jim Kouzes.
Material type: TextSeries: Pfeiffer essential resources for training and HR professionalsPublication details: San Francisco : Pfeiffer, c2007.Edition: 2nd edDescription: xxvi, 302 p. : forms ; 24 cm. + 1 CD-ROM (4 3/4 in.)ISBN:- 0787994642 (cloth)
- 9780787994648 (cloth)
Item type | Home library | Collection | Call number | Materials specified | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult Book | Main Library | NonFiction | 658.46 B586 | Available | 33111004957300 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
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"An essential knowledge resource"--Jacket.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 287-288) and index.
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