An action plan for working as a consultantManagement 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.Individuals 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. The New Consultant's Quick Start Guide:* Serves as a companion to The New Business of Consulting* Provides you with a place to plan your transition into consulting* 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* Prepares you for changes you will encounter beyond your professional life, including social, family, and financial aspectsThe New Consultant's Quick Start Guide 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.

Acknowledgments xvIntroduction xvii1 First Things First: Why Consulting? 1Chapter Overview 1Consulting: What Is It? 1Why a Consulting Career? 3Explore Your Experiences 4Inventory Your Competencies 6Assess Your Consulting Aptitude 9Pull It Together: Your Initial Consulting Focus 11Entrepreneur Attitude: Do You Have What It Takes? 13Quick Start Action: Questions to Ask a Consultant 17Quick Start Lists 192 Planning Your Consulting Future 21Chapter Overview 21Your Preferred Future 21Will Consulting Lead You to Your Life Goals? 26Professional, Financial, Personal, and Health Considerations 31Identify the Changes You Will Need to Make 35Quick Start Action: Create Your Personal Expense Plan 38Quick Start Lists 403 Dollars and Sense 41Chapter Overview 41Establish a Start-Up Budget 41Put a Price on Your Head 47Calculate Required Revenue 50Fill Out Financial Forms 57Quick Start Action: Setting Your Fee 58So What's It Take to Get Off the Ground? 62Quick Start Lists 634 Taking Care of Business 65Chapter Overview 65Getting Started 65What's in a Name? 66Hire the Best Accountant and Attorney 70Quick Start Action: Find an Accountant and Attorney 72Determine Your Business Structure 73Explore Your Banking and Insurance Needs 82Check Local Zoning Laws, Licenses, and Taxes 87File Legal Documentation 88Quick Start Action: Your First To-Do List 89Quick Start Lists 915 Your Business Plan 93Chapter Overview 93Are Business Plans Really Necessary? 93Write Your Plan 101Plan to Use Your Business Plan 109Quick Start Action: Plan a Review 111Quick Start Lists 1126 Make the Switch Painlessly 113Chapter Overview 113Gain Consulting Experience Before Leaving Your Job 113Determine Your Transition Plan 118Quick Start Action: Plan with Your Family 124Quick Start Lists 1267 Setting Up Your Office--or Not 127Chapter Overview 127Office Location Options 127Set Up Your Office 131Paper, Paper Everywhere! 135What About a Website? 146Quick Start Action: The App Age 148Quick Start Lists 1508 Finding Clients 151Chapter Overview 151Determine Your Market Niche 151Quick Start Action: Is There a Client Base? 156Who's Your Competition? 158Identify Your First Clients 164Land Your First Work 167Quick Start Action: Make a Sale to Solve a Problem 176Quick Start Lists 1779 Marketing 179Chapter Overview 179What Is Marketing? 179The ABCs of Marketing 180Create Your Marketing Plan 181Build Your Marketing Plan 185Marketing on a Shoestring Budget 196Quick Start Action: Grab Attention with Your Headlines 199Write Winning Proposals 200Track Your Clients 204Tips to Become a Better Marketer 206Quick Start Lists 20810 Surviving the First Year 209Chapter Overview 209Take Care of Your Health 209Manage Your Time 211Establish Good Business Habits 215Delight Your Clients 217Balance Your Life 218Take Advantage of Being Your Own Boss 222Did You Hear the One About the Consultant . . . ? 224Quick Start Lists 22711 So, Now What? Year Two and Beyond 229Chapter Overview 229Assess Your Progress 229Quick Start Action: Review Your First Year with Your Family 231Plan Your Next Steps 232Bring It All Together 239Quick Start Action: Review Your First Year with a Colleague 244ebb's 13 Truths to Ponder 244Quick Start Lists 248Electronic Resources 249Reading List 251About the Author 255Index 257