Description
A clear, concise resource for entering this lucrative career field
Consulting For Dummies, 2nd Edition includes a reorganization and narrower focus of the topic, with new or updated information that delves into the specifics of running your own consulting business. There is greater emphasis on the business of consulting, along with financial and legal issues involved in setting up a consulting business, deepening coverage of consulting proposals, and entirely new chapters on higher-level consulting issues that more-established consultants are demanding.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: So You Want to Be a Consultant 7
Chapter 1: Introducing the Wonderful World of Consulting 9
Chapter 2: Determining Whether Consulting Is Right for You 21
Chapter 3: Taking the Plunge into Consulting (Or at Least Getting Your Feet Wet) 35
Part II: Getting Your Consulting Business Off the Ground 49
Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Consulting Firm 51
Chapter 5: Getting a Grip on Legalities, Finances, and Ethics 71
Chapter 6: Setting Your Fees 89
Part III: The Short Course in Consulting 107
Chapter 7: Defining the Problem and Writing a Winning Proposal 109
Chapter 8: Collecting the Client Data You Need 127
Chapter 9: Problem-Solving and Developing Recommendations 137
Chapter 10: Tell It Like It Is: Presenting Your Recommendations 147
Chapter 11: Implementation: Making Your Prescriptions Stick 159
Part IV: Selling Your Consulting Services 167
Chapter 12: The ABCs of Selling 169
Chapter 13: Getting the Word Out: Promoting Your Business 185
Chapter 14: Building Business and Referrals through Current Clients 199
Chapter 15: Building Business with New Clients 211
Part V: Taking Care of Business 229
Chapter 16: Contracting for Business: It’s a Deal! 231
Chapter 17: Keeping Track of Your Time and Money 249
Chapter 18: Communicating Your Way to Success 263
Chapter 19: Troubleshooting Common Consulting Issues 277
Part VI: Taking Your Consulting Business to the Next Level 289
Chapter 20: Building on Your Success 291
Chapter 21: Advanced Pricing Strategies 301
Chapter 22: Enhancing Your Image and Reputation 311
Part VII: The Part of Tens 321
Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Improve Your Cash Flow 323
Chapter 24: Ten Effective Marketing Strategies for New Business 329
Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Build Business with a Client 335
Index 341
