{"product_id":"the-new-consultants-quick-start-guide-isbn-9781119556930","title":"The New Consultant's Quick Start Guide","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn action plan for working as a consultant\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eManagement consulting is a $250 billion industry and growing at a rate of over four percent annually. Many predict that more than 40 percent of the U.S. workforce will soon be contingent, freelance, or consulting members of the workforce—making this book more relevant than ever.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndividuals become independent consultants out of necessity or preference: necessity because they lost their job or the company offered an attractive exit package; preference because they want a career change, more control over their time, or an enriched, varied work situation. Consulting also appeals to the Millennial workforce who are searching for careers that offer a good salary as well as meaningful work. \u003ci\u003eThe New Consultant’s Quick Start Guide: \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e• \u003c\/i\u003eServes as a companion to\u003ci\u003e The New Business of Consulting\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e• Provides you with a place to plan your transition into consulting\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e• Helps you identify your niche, develop a business plan, charge what you’re worth, and create a marketing strategy to ensure a steady stream of clients\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e• Prepares you for changes you will encounter beyond your professional life, including social, family, and financial aspects\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe New Consultant’s Quick Start Guide\u003c\/i\u003e helps you work through the challenges of consulting such as working alone, deciding on necessary insurance coverage, finding your first clients, struggling with cash flow, and understanding market trends.  \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcknowledgments xv\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduction xvii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 First Things First: Why Consulting? 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsulting: What Is It? 1\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhy a Consulting Career? 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplore Your Experiences 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInventory Your Competencies 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssess Your Consulting Aptitude 9\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePull It Together: Your Initial Consulting Focus 11\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEntrepreneur Attitude: Do You Have What It Takes? 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Questions to Ask a Consultant 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 19\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 Planning Your Consulting Future 21\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYour Preferred Future 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWill Consulting Lead You to Your Life Goals? 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eProfessional, Financial, Personal, and Health Considerations 31\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentify the Changes You Will Need to Make 35\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Create Your Personal Expense Plan 38\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 40\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 Dollars and Sense 41\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablish a Start-Up Budget 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePut a Price on Your Head 47\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalculate Required Revenue 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFill Out Financial Forms 57\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Setting Your Fee 58\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSo What’s It Take to Get Off the Ground? 62\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 63\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 Taking Care of Business 65\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGetting Started 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat’s in a Name? 66\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHire the Best Accountant and Attorney 70\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Find an Accountant and Attorney 72\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermine Your Business Structure 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplore Your Banking and Insurance Needs 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCheck Local Zoning Laws, Licenses, and Taxes 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFile Legal Documentation 88\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Your First To-Do List 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 91\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 Your Business Plan 93\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAre Business Plans Really Necessary? 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrite Your Plan 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlan to Use Your Business Plan 109\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Plan a Review 111\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 Make the Switch Painlessly 113\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGain Consulting Experience Before Leaving Your Job 113\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermine Your Transition Plan 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Plan with Your Family 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 126\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 Setting Up Your Office—or Not 127\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOffice Location Options 127\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSet Up Your Office 131\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePaper, Paper Everywhere! 135\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat About a Website? 146\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: The App Age 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8 Finding Clients 151\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermine Your Market Niche 151\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Is There a Client Base? 156\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWho’s Your Competition? 158\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIdentify Your First Clients 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLand Your First Work 167\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Make a Sale to Solve a Problem 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 177\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 Marketing 179\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 179\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat Is Marketing? 179\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe ABCs of Marketing 180\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate Your Marketing Plan 181\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBuild Your Marketing Plan 185\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarketing on a Shoestring Budget 196\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Grab Attention with Your Headlines 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrite Winning Proposals 200\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrack Your Clients 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTips to Become a Better Marketer 206\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 208\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10 Surviving the First Year 209\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTake Care of Your Health 209\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eManage Your Time 211\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEstablish Good Business Habits 215\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelight Your Clients 217\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBalance Your Life 218\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTake Advantage of Being Your Own Boss 222\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDid You Hear the One About the Consultant . . . ? 224\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 227\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e11 So, Now What? Year Two and Beyond 229\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChapter Overview 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssess Your Progress 229\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Review Your First Year with Your Family 231\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlan Your Next Steps 232\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBring It All Together 239\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Action: Review Your First Year with a Colleague 244\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eebb’s 13 Truths to Ponder 244\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eQuick Start Lists 248\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eElectronic Resources 249\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReading List 251\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout the Author 255\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 257\u003c\/p\u003e  \t \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eELAINE BIECH\u003c\/b\u003e is president of ebb associates inc, a strategic implementation, leadership development, and experiential learning consulting firm. Elaine has been featured in \u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal, Harvard Management Update, Investor's Business Daily,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eFortune\u003c\/i\u003e. She is the author and editor of more than 85 books, including \u003ci\u003eTraining and Development for Dummies,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe New Business of Consulting\u003c\/i\u003e.\t \t \t \t \t  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePRAISE FOR THE NEW CONSULTANT'S QUICK START GUIDE\u003c\/b\u003e \t\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\". . . all you need to become a successful independent consultant for the long haul!\" \u003cb\u003e —KEN BLANCHARD,\u003c\/b\u003e coauthor of \u003ci\u003eThe New One Minute Manager\u003c\/i\u003e and\u003ci\u003e Leading at a   Higher Level\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Arguably the foremost authority on training consulting, Elaine. . . has produced a personal planning guide that will illuminate the path to consulting success.\" \u003cb\u003e —DR. JIM KIRKPATRICK\u003c\/b\u003e, coauthor of \u003ci\u003eKirkpatrick's Four Levels of Training Evaluation\u003c\/i\u003e \t\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow to create and grow your consulting business—a complete roadmap to success from one of the best-known consultants in the field\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe New Consultant's Quick Start Guide\u003c\/i\u003e offers step-by-step instructions on how to successfully navigate the crucial first year of business—providing new and aspiring consultants with a framework to move into consulting, identify their niche, develop a business plan, and create a marketing plan. A blueprint for any consulting start-up, this guide: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eAnswers the most common questions asked by new consultants: how much do I charge and how do I find clients?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eExplores the skills and attributes of successful consultants\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eOffers specifics on developing a website, setting up your office, creating and writing business plans, and naming your business\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eDefines the transition of becoming an entrepreneur and a successful consultant\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eBiech also clearly shows how to overcome the challenges of getting your business off the ground: working alone, lack of administrative support and day-to-day routine. \u003ci\u003eThe New Consultant's Quick Start Guide\u003c\/i\u003e is a useful companion to \u003ci\u003eThe New Business of Consulting\u003c\/i\u003e and a must-have resource for anyone starting a consulting business in today's dynamic and competitive business environment.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990295593189,"sku":"NP9781119556930","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781119556930.jpg?v=1761787243","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/the-new-consultants-quick-start-guide-isbn-9781119556930","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}