How to Start a Computer Consulting Business

Computer consulting is a hot business. What a consultant does depends mainly on the needs of the client and the consultant's own abilities and limits. From providing software recommendations to businesses to fixing hardware problems, a consultant is in charge of sharing his knowledge and suggestions with a client.
Instructions
1.Establish Your Business
1.Make sure you're qualified in the field. Just because you have been using a computer for a long time doesn't mean you know enough to start a business providing advice. To start a successful consulting business you should be able to understand the basic functioning of the hardware and keep up-to-date with changes in the market and industry.
2.Try to get an organization to hire you. Whether they do it on a temporary basis, to supplement their staff or as somebody called in when the need arises to identify problems, the truth is that companies pay consultants high sums for their services. Even if you have your own business with private clients, freelancing for a company can increase your income significantly.
3.Don't limit yourself. Offer your services in different ways and styles. For example, you could teach workshops to company employees, offer online or phone consultations or as the decision-maker when it comes to software upgrading and change.
4.Consider hiring a secretary or an assistant to deal with the everyday office stuff, such as answering emails, dealing with clients and filing. The less time you spend on menial tasks, the more you'll be able to network and provide out-of-office help to both companies and private clients.
5.Decide how you will charge for your services. Most consultants charge a flat fee at the start of their careers. As they become more established, it's possible to charge a monthly retainer or by the hour.
6.Establish yourself as an expert by providing talks, writing articles on computer and related subjects and by asking for letters or praise and reference from past clients. You can also put out your own newsletter (either in print or email) to keep in touch with former clients and reach new ones.

Tips & Warnings
Being organized is key to running a successful consulting business. Invest on a few tracking systems and organizational items to make sure you can keep track of clients and services efficiently.
Get the latest info on the industry by subscribing to trade magazines, joining organizations and networking with other professionals.

How to Start & Run a Successful Consulting Business

Consultants work in many different fields, such as marketing, marketing research, IT or information technology, auditing, tax preparation, writing, gardening and career counseling. You can start most consulting businesses with little investment, as the business is run mostly through personal contact and on a computer. As a consultant, you will help businesses solve problems in such areas as distribution and competitive analysis; or provide a necessary service to consumers. You can take specific steps to become a successful consultant.
Instructions
1.Choose what type of consulting services you will offer. Contact other consultants and get the going rate for the types of consulting services you are offering.
2.Set the prices for your various consulting services. Divide your services up into different functions, then price each function accordingly. Set an hourly consulting fee, for example, then tack on separate price points for surveys, reports and other end products you provide to clients. Put the services and prices in your brochure.
3.Write a business plan that summarizes the types of clients or customers you are targeting. List a specific industry in which you are targeting if you plan to specialize in a particular area. Include the characteristics of the consumers you want to attract, such as families who need investment or tax consultation. Write down your first-year financial sales and profit goals down in the business plan. List the methods you will use to finance your business in your business plan.
4.Contact your county or city administration office to determine what business licenses you need for your particular area. File for a DBA or "doing business as" which is required if you create a specific name for your business.
5.Create a website for you consulting business. Hire a web designer if you need help creating a more professional website that rivals other consulting firms.
6.Contact past business associates or agencies with which you worked. Tell them you are in the consulting industry. Call businesses in your area they can use your consulting services. Make appointments to see people that may have projects available for you. Leave copies of your business cards and brochures.
7.Advertise in the business section of your local newspaper and yellow pages. Place your yellow pages advertisement in both the print and online versions of the publication. Promote your consulting business in trade publications that your clients are most likely to read, especially if you want to expand into other cities. Place online ads in major search engines like Yahoo, Google, Lycos and Alta Vista. Join professional organizations related to your profession and offer to speak at one of the luncheons.
8.Submit a written price quote or bid for each client that needs a project completed. Tell each client, when you win a bid, the time frame for all tasks and services. Organize your schedule by specific tasks so you complete them all on time.
9.Hire employees to handle clerical work and incoming business calls as your business grows, according to Entrepreneur.com. Add employees to manage projects and keep clients apprised of their projects' status.
10.Prepare your income taxes on a semi-annual or quarterly basis. Report your profits and expenses on "Schedule C" which is published by the Internal Revenue Service. Take the home office deduction if you are regularly performing work from home.

Tips & Warnings
Continue advertising your business on a regular basis. Include samples of your work and testimonials on your web site. Testimonials are positive comments from satisfied customers that can impress businesses that are considering your consulting services. Make sure you have written documents of testimonials on file before using them.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Consulting Business?

consultant is someone who provides professional advice to others. Consultants can work in many different types of industries including business, computer, mentor, law and engineering. Today, many companies in order to save money will hire a consultant instead of a full time employee. Consultants are usually experts in their fields and have a great understanding of their particular subject area. Consultants can work for a firm or on their own

Business
• Business consultants evaluate a business's current status and make recommendations to improve their efficiency. According to the book "101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women" by Priscilla Huff, the average start up costs for a business consultant range between $5,000 to $20,000. This cost covers marketing, advertising, office equipment and any required training.
Computer
• Computer consultants advise consumers and business owners on choosing the best computer systems and software to meet their needs. Services will include assisting with purchasing, installation, training and troubleshooting of computer systems. "101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women" states that the average start up costs for a computer consultant range between $800 to $1,000. This cost covers marketing, advertising, office equipment and any required training.

Home-based Businesses
• Home-based business consultants help people who want to work from home. This would include assisting people with choosing a home-based business that matches their skills. Services include providing financing options, advertising strategies and resources for products and supplies. According to "101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women," the average start up costs for a home-based business consultant is $5,000 to $8,000. This cost covers marketing, advertising, office equipment and any required training.

How to Start a Consultant Engineering Business

An engineering consultant serves organizations, and businesses meet their design and construction needs. To start your consulting engineering business, you will need a start-up plan. Consultants generally provide services ranging from mechanical, chemical, computer technology and civil engineering. Consultants generally provide project management as well as technical advice

Instructions
1.Get professional certifications. Look in the state government website that you plan to work, and find the certifications that you will need to have to perform services as an engineering consultant.
2.Name your business. Some people use their family name and some choose a name that reflects the engineering consultant industry. For example, Your Name, Civil Engineering.
3. Determine your business structure. For example, will you operate as a Limited Liability Company, or a Corporation? Write your business plan and describe this structure and who will be responsible for the business. The Small Business Administration offers free tutorials about business plans.
4.Apply for a Federal Identification Number. You can apply online through a questionnaire at IRS.gov. Register your business with the state(s) that you plan to do business in. You can generally do this online as well.
5.Write a generic proposal for your business. In this proposal, describe your qualifications, members and partners. Describe the type of services that your business will provide, and the specific duties that your business will perform. You can review a Sample Proposal by Mariusz Mazur at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
6.Bid on projects. Register with local government entities as a qualified consultant and submit bids for upcoming projects. You can find a link on most state websites. These links are generally listed as "Doing Business." You can also seek private consulting jobs. Your local business directory will have the contact information for local businesses that may need your services.

How to Start Your Health Consulting Business

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, consulting is projected to be one of the fastest growing and highest-paying industries, with employment increasing 83 percent from 2008 to 2018. This should be welcome news if you are considering starting a health-consulting business. However, before you start your business, there are a series of steps you should take to help increase your chances of a successful endeavor

Instructions
1.Write a business plan. Include several important sections. Write your objectives, which describe what you hope to accomplish with your business. For example, "Gain 10 health-consulting clients by May 2012" or "Partner with local gyms to generate an additional $20,000 in health-consulting revenue." Describe your market, including demographic characteristics of the people you will be targeting with your health-consulting services and competitors in the health-consulting field. Outline how you will organize your health-consulting business. Communicate the legal structure of your business, whether or not you will have employees and how your management team will be structured. Describe the marketing strategies and tactics you will use to promote your health-consulting business.
2.Determine how you will finance your business. Create a list of all the things you will need to start, including any health licenses and training, office supplies and expenses, building costs, and exercise equipment. If you determine you don't have enough money to pay for all your start-up expenses, consider financing options like asking friends and family for a loan, business credit cards, small business loans, government grants or venture capital.
3.Obtain a federal tax identification number, also known as an "EIN." Apply for an EIN online or by contacting the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-4933.
4.Apply for state taxes. Each state has different requirements for registering new businesses, so check with your secretary of state to figure out your state's requirements.
5.Apply for any necessary business licenses. Some states require specific licenses for health consultants, depending on the type of services you offer. Use the free tool on the business.gov website to search for any licenses and permits applicable to your health-consulting business in your state.
6.Start marketing your health-consulting business. There's no "right" way to begin your marketing and promotional efforts. Experiment with several tactics and keep using the ones that work. Create a brochure and business card, and then pass them out to the managers and owners of local health-themed businesses and gyms. Develop a "fan" page for your health-consulting business on Facebook, and ask your friends to help spread the word for you. Develop an email marketing campaign, and send weekly health tips and specials you are offering.

4 Tips for Starting Your Consulting Business

Thinking of starting as a consultant? Even in these tough times? Maybe you've always wanted to. Maybe some things just went wrong for you, so you have no choice; you have to.
I can help. I did consulting for Business International in the 1970s, for Creative Strategies in the 1980s, for McKinsey Management Consulting for one brief period, and for myself and my family, on my own, through most of the 1980s and early 1990s. Eventually, that became Palo Alto Software, but it was consulting first. And I learned a few things that might help you if that's where you're heading. Here's my list:
1. Get that first big client. 
Most successful consultants start with one big client. The best scenario is to leave your current job as a consultant, billing the company you worked for, for as long as you can. That happens a lot. The employer is relieved not to have the fixed cost but also to have your expertise available.
2. Focus on distinguishing differences. Build your business identity. 
Success is related to focusing on a narrow something that you do differently from and presumably better than all others. You need an angle. The first time I went on my own, it was as a computer-literate M.B.A. (back in 1983, when not every M.B.A. was computer literate) who had lived in Latin America and spoke Spanish. That gave me an angle.
Look for your own angle. We all tend to generalize and think inclusively about the different things we can do. Instead of that, think of what you can do that nobody else can (or only a few). Don't just do business planning, for example; do growth planning for retail businesses or manufacturing or something else you know. If you can make that focus be legitimately green—energy efficient but not greenwashing—that's even better.
Bill Cosby once said, "I don't know the secret to success; but I do know that the secret to failure is trying to please everybody."
3. Build it on value. 
Make meaning. Nothing drives a business more than believing that what it's doing matters to people and is important. Whether you're offering more healthful free-range organic meats (butcher), more healthful organic baked items (baker), or poverty-repelling candles (candlestick maker), believe in the value you're giving. Or get out of business.
Imagine yourself closing the office at the end of the workday. Do you feel good about what you've done all day? Is what you do for your clients good for them?
Ultimately, business success is rooted in having people who want to buy what you're selling. Are you giving them real value?
4. Keep your perspective. It's business, not life.
People get wrapped up in business and particularly in start-ups. I've been there, for sure. We spin the yarn about entrepreneurship as passion and dedication and endurance and then forget too easily that's there's that new business and then there's also the rest of your life.
I recognize that you may be in a tough spot during difficult times. Hard to get it out of your mind if you've been forced to hope you can build your own business.
But you do have to turn your mind and your worries off for a few hours a day. Listen to the people on the other side of the table at dinner; you care about them more than you realize. And get regular exercise: There will always be reasons not to, but the time you invest in exercise pays off later in productivity.

Small Business Consulting

Small business consulting is a growing field for business consultants. Like many consultation types, small business consulting overlaps the others in methodologies used and problems tackled. However, where small business consulting differs from those others is that everything they do, they finely tune to the needs of the small business.

For starters, this means cost. Small businesses obviously cannot afford the same level of expenditure that larger companies can. However, they do not need the same depth of service either. Therefore, consulting firms specializing in small business can reduce their broadness in return for fees that are more palatable to the small business.
Small business consulting firms provide services to businesses that would have no other access to them otherwise. For instance, many small businesses cannot afford to fund their own IT or HR departments. A small business consultation firm allows them to fill that gap affordably.

However, the usefulness of the small consulting firm to the small business begins long before IT and HR departments are a consideration. The consulting firm can provide a financial consultant that will help the small business owner-to-be develop a business plan and to get the funding from the bank or other investor sources.

Once the small business owner (SBO) has defined and then established the business, he or she can leverage the consulting firm to help it grow. The firm does this via marketing strategy consulting and Internet marketing consultant. Even local-only businesses can use the Internet effectively to increase their market presence. The consulting firm will use their technology consultants to build the business' web presence. If this is a business that can take advantage of a broader market, such as a store, the consulting firm can build the online shop.

Over time, a firm will build a network of connections in the area where it does business. A lack of connections is one the great roadblocks for many new SBOs. This network is perhaps the greatest benefit that a consulting firm gives to its small business client. A consulting firm can build profitable relationships between the new business and vendors in the area.

SBOs carry a lot of weight on the shoulders. New SBOs in particular can be unprepared for the stress of their new lifestyle. Top small business consulting firms do prepare for this and they offer their clients a wide range of services as individuals. Therefore, in addition to business coaching the SBO is receiving life coaching and the tools necessary to manage stress and other difficulties.

Consulting Firms
Consulting firms provide valuable advice for your business and operations. Finding the perfect match between consultant and business can be a daunting task. Consider all the factors involved that make a consultant the right fit for a particular business. A business requires a person with a high level of expertise. In addition to this expertise, the consultant must possess a stellar reputation and proven experience in the appropriate industry.

The consultant must offer all of the services that the business requires and there has to be some flexibility involved here. Many times the business cannot be aware of all the services needed until the consultation process is underway.
The reputation that consultants and firms develop is the best tool that a business has at its disposal. When choosing a consultant, a business should select at least five consultants or firms that provide the general services that they are seeking. Then the business can thoroughly research that short list. Research should encompass speaking with businesses in the same industry that have employed the consultant that the business is considering. The value of reputation in the consulting business cannot be overstated.

When researching a consultant/firm, a business should ask:
• Did the consultant fully honour the contract?
• Did the project achieve its goal and meet the expectations of the business?
• Were the consultant's expectations realistic?
• Did the consultant alter the initial plans substantially in order to complete the project?
• Were regular reports clear and helpful? Were there any surprises?
• Did the consultant arrive at reasonable findings, conclusions, and recommendations?
• Did the project progress smoothly, without miscommunication?
• Did the consultant work well with the business' owners and/or employees?
• Did the consultant have to perform the services underfunded?
• If applicable, how long did it take the result to cover the cost of the process?
• Did the consultant provide useful information?
• Was the consultant able to teach your employees effectively?
• Would you hire this consultant again?
• Would you recommend this consultant to another business?
Take advantage of other sources as well. For instance, many consultants publish industry articles as a form of marketing. Reading these articles can give a business great insight into the consultant or firm that they are considering. If the consultant has been a part of any high profile projects, there is often a great deal of media available, both print and online, that speaks to their accomplishments.

After research, the next step is the interview process. The process of interviewing consultants is similar to the process of interviewing potential employees. Consider both personal manner and professional style in addition to the substance of the answers. Discuss financial arrangements and ask for a proposal and references. Then begin the second phase of research using those references before making a final decision.

When interviewing a consultant/firm, a business should ask:
• How would you describe the challenges we face?
• Have you worked on project where you faced similar challenges?
• What did you learn from the experience?
• What would you do differently if you could repeat the experience?
• What are the initial problems you anticipate as we begin to work together?
• How can we best address these problems early on?
• What experience do you have working with a business similar to ours?
• Describe your work process. How will you integrate with our employees?
• What strengths do you possess that will prove particularly effective for this project?
• Are the other members of the consulting team? Who are they? How do you propose to divide tasks among the team members? When can we interview them?
• How can we evaluate your success in solving our problem?
• What is your availability to complete this project in the specified period?
• Will you be using other consultants or subcontractors?
• Approximately, how much will this cost?
• What should we know about you and your experience that we have not asked?

Business Consulting: Facts and Trends

•Management consulting is not losing its allure. With the demise of investment banking jobs, many MBAs in 2009 are talking about B2C - i.e., "Back to Consulting". Consulting firms are hiring although they remain selective - particularly in the top shops like BCG and McKinsey.
• Less faddish junk and more focus on business. Management consulting firms have been racked by trends in the last 20 years - such as business process reengineering. Today, the large strategy houses are ever more focused on delivering good product - building businesses on paper from the ground up; analyzing profitability; growth potential; competitive dynamics and segmenting customers.
• Explosion of smaller shops. It has become ever easier for small firms to navigate the marketplace due to better electronic tools, availability of relevant datasets and the general escape of qualified professional consultants from the "grind" to be found in the larger firms.
• Some of the best people in consulting work in small firms. The reason is that the best people may prefer the autonomy and impact that they can have there. The responsibilities of a consultant are significant, regardless of the size of the practice. Its much more like being an attorney; an attorney in a small firm can have a very large case.
• Although it can be rewarding to work in a small firm, it's tough to make it in solo consulting because of the difficulty of maintaining credibility and marketing yourself. Only one in ten solo consultants lasts for ten years.
• Growing sophistication of "pyramid power". The way to make money in a large consultancy is to sell projects that use substantial amounts of mid and junior level resources, to then bill out those resources at a substantial margin and distribute the profits up the pyramid. Firms are increasingly focused on doing this efficiently. Compensation in certain firms at the partner level is running over $2 million a year.
• The business of consulting is large. Last year, over 200,000 consultants sold over $100 billion of advice. Today, technology planning, strategic services and enterprise consulting represent 35 percent, 20 percent and 15 percent roughly of the worldwide consulting spending.
• It is very hard to break into the top firms in consulting like Bain, McKinsey, and BCG. McKinsey targets hiring at top MBA schools including Harvard Business School, Wharton, Stanford, Sloan (MIT), Kellogg (Northwestern) and INSEAD. That said, the firm hires heavily at these schools.
• The pursuit of specialized knowledge is rising rapidly. Firms are looking for consultants with very specific knowledge in areas like logistics management, knowledge management, data warehousing, multimedia, client-server development, sales force automation, electronic commerce, brand management and value management. Many large consulting firms also have practices targeted at particular industries--for example, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and electric power--which require specific technical qualifications.
• While consulting firms have traditionally targeted MBA students, they have becoming more willing to hire students with Ph.D degrees, lawyers and engineers and put them through business training. McKinsey has a three week mini-MBA course, and reports that only 44% of their consultants hold an MBA, while 24% have a master's degree in another field and 22% have an M.D. or Ph.D.
• That said, its important to show an open mind as an engineer or techie entering consulting. While consulting firms are always looking for sharp people with good analytical skills, surprisingly they are often hesitant to hire engineers because of fear that they can't break out of the box. Rigid thinking that can't adapt to business situtations is the worry. A good way to get a consulting position with engineering experience is to convey flexible thinking in an interview. Even better would be successful business experience where you applied your engineering know-how to solve a business problem.
• The accounting firms are back. After Sarbanes-Oxley in 2002 the large accounting firms disposed of their consulting practices (except Deloitte). These disposals had five year non-competes generally. Now, they are reversing themselves and there is a gigantic hiring wave coming out of firms like Ernst & Young, KPMG and PWC. The focus is on areas like systems integration and industry level consulting but there is also interest in getting into strategy consulting in a bigger way.
• "Relationship consulting" is on the rise. This involves working with a company over many years to ensure continued monitoring, discussion and implementation of new ideas.
• Longer consulting contracts have brought higher fees. It is not uncommon for a long-term consulting contract to cost over $20 million in consulting fees.
• Growth in consulting has slowed in the U.S., but continued growth is expected in other countries. U.S. consultants have been consulting for major firms around the globe while helping companies at home such as AT&T and Avon Products crack foreign markets. The Big Six accounting firms and McKinsey have had a strong presence in Europe for many years. The global focus of consulting growth has created high demand for foreign students and those who speak two or more languages fluently.
• This growth in foreign business will be particularly significant in developing countries. The reason is simple. There is a narrowing gap between developing and developed economies. Consultants are helping to bridge that gap by bringing solutions and ideas to firms in economies as diverse as China, Brazil, and South Africa. Because these ideas are creating huge amounts of value, the demand for consultants' services has skyrocketed globally and should continue to do so for the next several decades, despite temporary cyclical slowdowns. Several of the main strategic consulting firms are now realizing over half of their revenue outside of the First World. As you go through school, try to develop a framework that you can use to analyze and think about developing economies by taking courses in development economics, trade and international finance. Don't forget foreign language courses. And if you're lucky enough to to spend a semester or more living abroad, spend as much of it as possible living like and socializing with the residents of your host country, not hanging out in an expatriate ghetto with friends and fellow students from home.
• It is now standard practice to include members of the management of the client firm as part of the consulting team. This eases implementation of recommendations and can commit the client to buying into new ideas.
• Many consulting firms use the case interview method where you are presented with a business situation and asked to suggest a solution. Charles Wendel, VP of Mercer Management Consulting, justified this approach by saying that "We want to get the people who are the most mentally alert and intellectually alive and the case approach works particularly well." (Business Week)
• According to a hot consultant at Bain & Co: "Its a funny business. Almost 100% of the it comes from referrals. You do a great job for one company. And a board member there who's part of another company brings you in. You do a good job there and that leads to more business elsewhere. This means that it is crucial as a consultant to have a total client focus on every job. Your future in the business depends on how well you do in generating enthusiasm and answers that work on every engagement."
• Be sure to ask about the extent and type of training that you will get as a consultant. Some firms favor the hit the ground running model of consultant, while others would like to mold you to their culture and values through a training program. Training is a good thing and the best firms have lots of it.
• One of the largest practice areas is health care. Health care payment and delivery systems are changing rapidly, generating high demand for consultants to help health care organizations change through alliances, innovation, management care, access strategies and quality improvement.
• Another hot practice area is sales force automation. Many firms with large sales forces are finding that they can vastly improve their marketing effectiveness by providing seamlessly integrated wireless PDAs, contact management systems, easily accessible support databases, e-mail systems.

Business Consulting - Skills Needed For Consulting

Consulting is an interesting profession, the variety of assignments and range of companies make each new day worthy of note. Clients look to consultants to assist them on a short term basis to address problems for which they have no solution, to manage and implement projects and sometimes to fill short term resourcing needs.
To be successful a professional consultant must be an expert in their field with a track record of delivering results. In addition to expertise in a particular area all consultants possess a common skill set that falls into four main categories; problem solving, project  management   skills, interpersonal skills and management skills.
Problem Solving
Most engagements involve solving a problem for the client. A professional consultant must be able to quickly analyze problems, identify the cause, find alternative solutions, recommend the most appropriate solution for the particular business and provide advice on implementation.
Superior analytical skills are a hallmark of the professional consultant. If the problem was easy to solve the client would not require the consultant's help. Being able to break down complex issues into their relevant parts to address multiple difficulties is an essential skill that all consultants possess regardless of their field of endeavor.
Matrix thinking is also a necessary skill. It is used to imagine solutions. Visioning is too broad for a consulting engagement but being able to imagine a range of possibilities within the realities of the current business is essential.
Most organizations operate in linear mode in their day to day operations. While this works to promote efficiency it can limit their ability to step outside the lines when faced with complex issues. Consultants add value to the business when they can propose alternate solutions and discuss why their recommended solution is best for the company.
project   Management
By its nature consulting is project   based. To run a profitable consulting business, each engagement needs to be managed as a project. The project scope needs to be clarified. Costing, pricing, deliverables, milestones and deadlines all need to be articulated. Throughout the engagement risks to a successful conclusion must be managed and mitigated.
Interpersonal skills
A consulting engagement requires that the consultant respond to the needs of the client. In order to fully comprehend the client's needs a consultant must have advanced listening and questioning skills. Empathy for the client's position enhances the relationship and often results in a better understanding than a purely interrogatory approach.
Frequently there are conflicting opinions within and across the business in regard to the problem, its cause and the appropriate solution. Exceptional conflict resolution skills are required to bring all parts of the organization together in addressing the problem.
Facilitation and presentation skills are also essential to ensure all key stakeholders participate in the development of a solution and are committed to achieving the resolution. Not only does this ensure the business obtains the results it requires from the engagement but in doing so makes it likely the consultant will be engaged again in the future.
Management skills
Consulting is the same as any other business; sales   must be made to survive. marketing  , selling, negotiating and contracting are all crucial skills required of the professional consultant. The consultant's intellectual capacity underpins the service being provided and intellectual property must be managed and protected as a valuable commercial asset.
Being an expert in a particular field is only the first requirement of the professional consultant. Management, problem solving and interpersonal skills are equally important for success.

Starting Your Own Business Consulting Firm

• How to start a part-time or full-time consulting business for little or no money
• Information about business matters affecting consultants including insurance, licenses, legal structures, etc.
• Items to include in your business plan
• Choosing a name for your consulting business
• How to set up an office for your consulting business
• Sources of start-up financing if you want to spend more on your consulting business (e.g. leasing an office instead of working from home)
• Pricing your consulting services, with information on:
o How to set your hourly rate
o Daily rates
o Per project fees
o Monthly retainers
o Pay for performance
o How to invoice clients
o Getting a deposit before you start a project
o Getting reimbursed for expenses
• What to include in a client contract or agreement
• How to select strategic partners
• Finding potential clients for your consulting business
• How to market your consulting services effectively through
o Advertising
o Networking
o Direct contact
o Free promotional opportunities
• What you need to know about preparing proposalsfor consulting work
• How to make a sales presentation to prospective clients
• Helpful samples for your consulting business (sample contracts, sample invoice, sample letter of proposal, and more)
Plus, you will discover:
• How to be certified as a "professional" consultant
• How to increase client satisfaction
• Valuable resources (including the top professional associations for consultants)
• Tips for getting testimonials to help you attract new clients
• Samples of everything you need to launch your business consulting career, including:
o Sample questions to ask clients when conducting a needs analysis
o Sample resumes for business consultants
o Sample cover letters to apply for a consulting job
o Sample thank you letter
o Sample time tracking record
o Sample consulting fees
o Sample invoice
o Sample scripts of what to say when talking to prospective clients
o Sample contact sheet
o Sample letter of proposal
o Sample consulting contracts (sample letter of engagement and sample agreement)
o Sample presentation outline
o Sample employee survey
o Sample client feedback questionnaire
• Links to templates for creating business stationery and marketing materials
• Worksheets and checklists to help you keep track of expenses, project tasks, and your time
• And much more! (including free updates)

Become a Business Consultant and Get Paid to Give Business Advice

Imagine having a high paying career where executives turn to you for direction in running their businesses. As a business consultant you will help businesses and other organizations identify problems, and you will recommendsolutions to those problems.
Business consultants are respected and relied upon in every industry in every country. Consultants are admired for both their expertise and their independence. As a business consultant (also known as a management consultant) you can choose to specialize in a variety of areas, including:
• communications consulting
• e-business consulting
• human resources consulting (HR consulting)
• operations consulting
• marketing consulting
• organizational development consulting
• small business consulting
• strategic planning consulting
• technology consulting (IT consulting)
• any other areas organizations need professional advice
According to research from Harvard Business School, the business consulting industry generates about $100 billionin annual revenues from U.S. consultants. Especially in a slow economy, companies need business consultants to help them increase revenues and cut costs.
It is no wonder business consultants are among the mosthighly paid professionals. A recent survey by the Association of Management Consulting Firms found entry-level consultants earn an average of $65,000 annually while senior partners earn an average of over $300,000 (including bonuses and profit sharing). Self-employed business consultants may earn $35 to $400 per hour depending on their market.
As long as you have the desire, you can become a business consultant. No special education is necessary to break into this career and succeed. (According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 28% of consultants do not have a degree of any kind.)
Lead author Craig Coolahan is a journalist who has written for the Times Higher Education Supplement. Co-author and business consultant Marg Archibald is former director of corporate communications for an airline and has taught university courses on business consulting. Co-author Tag Goulet is a leading career expert who has consulted for multi-national corporations and conducted business training programs for organizations such asAmerican Management Association International.
In this guide the authors share with you insider tips andexpert advice from more than 20 successful consultants to help you become a business consultant. The guide covers topics of vital importance to anyone who wants to become a business consultant, including:
How to Do Business Consulting
• Step-by-step overview of how to carry out a business consulting project (also known as anengagement), including:
o Conducting a needs analysis (includes a list of sample questions to ask clients)
o Determining project specifics including the scope of services to be provided, timeline, team, and budget
o Conducting a gap analysis (to identify the gap between "where we are" and "where we want to be")
o Identifying possible solutions
o How to present your recommendations to the client (includes a sample presentation outline)
o Implementation of your recommendations
o Post-project review (includes a sample client feedback questionnaire)
• How to use both quantitive and qualitative research and information-gathering techniques in your consulting projects, including:
o Observation
o Case studies
o Interviews
o Focus groups
o Surveys (includes a sample survey)
• How to conduct a SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of a business situation
• Samples of consulting assignments
How to Develop Your Consulting Skills and Knowledge
• How to develop the skills employers and clients are looking for in business consultants, including:
o Critical thinking
o Problem-solving
o Communication skills
o Project management
o Leadership
• Additional skills that can give you a competitive edge in getting hired
• Traditional educational programs including the top MBA programs (plus tips and resources to help you apply and get accepted)
• How to get educational credentials more quickly orconveniently through:
o accelerated, executive, part-time, or mini MBAs
o distance learning
o business seminars
• The best resources (books, periodicals, websites, etc.) to teach yourself business consulting
• How to quickly get practical experience to build up your credentials and help you get hired as a consultant, including:
o Internships (plus how to get an internship if you are not a student)
o Volunteer opportunities
o Consulting for your current employer
o Other opportunities for hands-on experience
• Links to many valuable resources you can use in business consulting including project managementsoftware
• Information and resources on business ethics
• How to identify emerging business trends that may affect your clients
Getting a Consulting Job
• Job titles and entry-level positions in consulting
• Types of employers and how to find them:
o Large firms (includes links to more than 30 top consulting firms)
o Small firms or boutique firms
o Internal consulting for corporations
o Other types of organizations that hire management consultants
• A type of employer that business consultants should beware of
• How to find job openings
o Where consulting jobs are advertised
o On-campus recruitment
o Finding job openings through referrals
o How to create a consulting job with your current employer or a new employer
• What you need to know about recruiters or employment agencies
• How to write a winning resume including sample resumes for:
o An experienced consultant
o A career changer (this sample shows how to create an impressive resume without a business degree or previous paid consulting experience)
o An internal consultant
• How to prepare a cover letter including sample letters for applying to a consulting firm and a corporation
• Advice to help you ace the interview
o How to prepare for an interview (what to bring, what to wear, and more)
o Samples of questions to expect
o Advice and resources for succeeding in acase interview
o Following up after a consulting job interview (includes a sample thank you letter)
• Considering a job offer (includes resources withsalary information to help in salary negotiations)

Management Consulting:Skills and Talents Required

While most consulting falls under the rubric of management consulting, there are a diverse set of other areas where consulting is provided. Broadly speaking, the job requirements are as follows:

People skills: High
Sales skills: Medium
Communication skills: High
Analytical skills: Extremely High
Ability to synthesize: High
Creative ability: High
Initiative: Medium
Computer skills: Medium
Work hours: 50-90/week

Some general observations:
Consulting is an exciting but risky profession
The work is stimulating and important, but not everyone lasts in this business.
Consulting is About Business.
Consulting is the business of providing advice to firms in trouble; firms on the move and firms which are trying to do what they do better, faster, and more cheaply. Consulting is about business. People who love business like consulting.
Consultants Listen
Consulting requires the ability to listen to your customer; it also requires the ability to explain to your customer. Consulting is about communication. Good communicators do well in consulting.
Consulting is a Profession that is Growing
The business of consulting has been growing by leaps and bounds in the last decade. There is a lot of hiring going on and there is likely to be strong demand in the future.
Not Everyone Starts on Top
You would usually start in an analyst position. To succeed in these positions you need to be extremely dedicated and be willing to travel. Many, but not all, positions are grueling because they require long hours and heavy travel.
Network, Network...
It's important to have a good network of business contacts in consulting as you progress. New business development becomes part of your job. As your classmates rise in their respective business areas it is important to stay in touch with them as they may become your future customers.
Teamwork, Teamwork...
A key to success in consulting is teamwork. Being able to pull together persons with large egos to get a presentation together for a client is a challenge and is likely to be rewarded highly. You will almost always work as part of a team.
Brainwork, Brainwork...
At it's essence, consulting is using stretching and using your brain. A consultant sells ideas, smarts, brilliance (and, of course, talks a lot about transforming ideas into action). People with serious smarts and analytical firepower are in constant demand from the very best consulting firms.
A Different Perspective Can Work
Candidates with original perspective wanted. Consultants listen, analyze and solve. To put it all together you have to be able to look at things differently than the average manager out there. If you've lived in a different country, or have a strong background in a non-business area like literature, music or biology, you may have just the type of thought-process a consulting firm is looking for.
Industry Knowledge Counts.
If you have serious experience working in a specific industry, be it utilities, paper, airlines, retail or financial services, there probably is a consulting firm looking for you. Firms want specialists with deep knowledge in specific industries who can understand the present and envision the future.
Presentation skills matter.
If you can understand a clients needs, help them formulate a solution and then present your findings effectively, whether it be one-on-one or in front of a crowd with the latest multimedia technology, you will be in demand. Ability to present well is something that takes hard work for almost everyone. Try to convey your commitment and ability in this area.
Powerpoint Skills Are Important
Similarly, the ability to make a good presentation is very important and some firms like Bain and McKinsey have taken Powerpoint presentations to a high art. Gary Zelazny, McKinsey's Director of Visual Communications, has written two books on good presentations and charts which are of nearly biblical importance for serious consultants.
It's Not Always Fun...
There are plenty of time when the work is less than glamormous. Taking an idea you already understand and applying it to a new client. Or doing laborious industry research. Or using simple common sense on clients that don't need a Ph.D., just a kick in the pants. Be sure that you have realistic expectations about what the work is like day to day.

Your UK Computer Consultant Business… Advantages and Challenges

UK Computer Consultant; The Advantages
The first thing most people think of when they think about becoming a UK computer consultant is money.
The fact is that the income potential of a UK computer consultant is as you want it to be.
You will be able to work as much as you want and can earn over $200 per hour through your UK computer consultant.
• The potential for new clients increases every day. Nearly every business relies on computers in some way or another. If you can effectively portray your skills to businesses and provide a quality product to them, you will find that you will be able to develop lasting business relationships resulting in repeat business and gain referrals to other opportunities. New UK computer consultant business can also be found all over the place. The talents that are in demand are very diverse so there is a need for professionals with all backgrounds and with all levels of abilities.
• Three words; WORK FROM HOME! You can work as a UK computer consultant from home. Working as a UK computer consultant from home also gives you the flexibility to work your own schedule and take as much time off as you want. As long as your clients are happy they don't care how much or how little you work.
UK Computer Consultant; The Challenges
• In order to run a successful UK computer consultant you must be motivated. While it is true that business is out there, it wont just come to you. You must be willing and able to convince others that your UK computer consultant is capable of providing a service in a timely and efficient manner. Many people start their computer consultant service in a very modest manner and expand it as they become more confident. It is not uncommon for someone to begin their UK computer consultant on a part time basis and never make it a full time career.
• Since a UK computer consultant is a business, you may need assistance in the book keeping side of things and legal matters. Don't let this scare you. As long as you are honest and keep good records of your transaction, the cost and liability of running a UK computer consultant is fairly minimal.
These advantages and challenges, while true, are only a few of the aspects you will need to consider when deciding if you are up to starting a UK computer consultant. You will experience many advantages that are unique to your own situation, as well as be faced with challenges that are specific to you and your business