Latest Posts - Page 126 of 197

February 27, 2019February 17, 2019 Lessons Learned From Consulting

Consulting Invoices and Getting Paid

Whether you are running a side hustle or a full-blown business, at some point you will need to create consulting invoices. Well, unless you do not care about being paid for your work. This is a process that is often overlooked. However, the way you invoice can help you get paid on time, impress a client, and even market your services to expand the business. Consulting Invoices Are Not Redundant I have come across some consultants that feel like an invoice is redundant. Whether they sent a status with time worked or had a consulting agreement, they seem to think nothing else is required. They may send a bill, but decide that the extra work of an invoice is not needed... Read more

February 25, 2019February 17, 2019 Lessons Learned From Consulting

Setting the Price for Software Consulting

The most common discussion I have had around consulting is setting the price on my services. Yes, customers care about my rates. However, the conversations tend to be focused on what the pricing should be for the person with whom I am speaking. There is no silver bullet for this challenge. On the other hand, it is not as difficult as many of us think. Setting The Price Based on the Market The easiest way to figure out a good rate for your services is to look at the market. If you are already employed, then you have a salary to use for a metric. If not, then take a look at the typical salary ranges for your skill set... Read more

February 22, 2019February 9, 2019 Lessons Learned From Consulting

Honest Communication Is Critical For Consultants

There is a book on having difficult conversations. The challenge is that we do not like having them. They tend to be difficult. Unfortunately, this can complicate honest communication. It is a challenge when we are trying to be positive and be seen as one that brings good news. It is even worse when we worry whether someone will shoot the messenger. Real News Over Good News The most common reason for hiring a consultant is to get another honest view of a situation. There is always a hope of getting good news. However, the desire is to hear the truth warts and all. It is not uncommon for the expectation to be that a consultant is not going to be... Read more

February 20, 2019February 9, 2019 Lessons Learned From Consulting

When To Vent (never) as part of Consulting Communication

As we continue to discuss consulting communication, we turn towards venting. This topic includes negative communication as well. To be clear, negative is not the same as disagreeing. You can stay positive while communicating a disagreement. We are held to a higher standard when in a consulting role and we should always remember that fact. Consulting Communication Stays Positive It may seem difficult or even impossible, but any professional communication you make as a consultant should be positive. Think of some classic wording approaches like problems are just challenges or even opportunities. Rather than highlight a negative you want to remain focused on providing solutions. It will not help your perception as an impartial skilled observer when you dip into frustration... Read more

February 18, 2019February 9, 2019 Lessons Learned From Consulting

CYA Documentation : Getting Started With Consulting

There are all sorts of documents that are needed for a consultant. However, the ones that provide a form of CYA documentation may be the most vital. This sort of communication is not only valuable in proving you did what you said, but it can also be a critical key to retracing your steps. Why Bother With CYA Documentation? A consultant is a temporary worker by definition. With that in mind, why should we even bother with protecting ourselves via CYA documentation? There is always the “avoiding a lawsuit” argument. Nevertheless, it may be even more critical to protect our reputation or brand. It is one thing to lose a client. However, if that leads to you losing more clients... Read more

February 15, 2019February 3, 2019 Lessons Learned From Consulting

Plan For Disruptions – Getting Started With Consulting

One of the hardest parts of building a consulting career is the disruptions that always occur. This is a path that often follows the feast or famine roller coaster. Therefore we bounce between too much work to keep up and not enough to pay the bills. There are ways to soften the blow of these disruptions as well as those that are larger such as health or family issues. These more substantial disruptions can knock you off of your career path for months or years, and improper planning can extend those even further. Documentation Bridges Disruptions First and foremost, the better you document your current path and plans, the better. You likely have projects in progress, side hustle work going, and... Read more