Looking for business consultants and business coaching info

**hondaspeder** · 01-01-2008 10:34 PM

For all of the consultants on this board:

What books helped you get started?

What advise would you have for someone just getting started?

Are you a part of any Assosiations or Groups?

Any related blogs that you read frequently?

How did you determine your rates?

Any tips or advice?

Thanks.

-Will

**ltressel** · 01-01-2008 11:19 PM

Hi Will-

I think you should start with what type of business solutions you are able to do.

For example: Start-ups, Operations, Marketing, Budgeting, HR issues, Management

If all of the above are your specialties then to determine your fees- you should research on established consulting companies how they charge. Hourly? Flat-fees? Case by case basis?

I also think that in order to really show that you are a successful and reliable consultant, you need testimonials from happy and satisfied clients. How you go about getting those to start with is maybe offering your services to low budgeted companies that can't afford to outsource consultants and barter with them your services for a good testimonial letter and referrals.

Create a presentable propositions to these companies and offer free consultations to determine what area they need help on.

I hope this helps you some and good luck.

LT

**paul2145r** · 01-02-2008 01:16 AM

I would be happy to discuss this and any other questions that you have.

I have owned a consulting firm for ~3 years now, and have worked with business owners from at least 30+ industries.

Feel free to PM me for additional contact information!

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-02-2008 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

For all of the consultants on this board:

What books helped you get started?

Every last one that I've read. The more you read, the more you know. There is no "Business Consulting for Dummies." Being a business consultant is about drawing on your education, experience, and knowledge and abilities to try to help businesses and individuals overcome obstacles and find success.

If you do happen to come across a book that will give you, for example, a college education in economics, finance, and international business, a graduate education in business management, an education in law, and 13 years of professional business experience, please let me know. =)

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

What advise would you have for someone just getting started?

Just getting started in business? Or in business consulting?

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

Are you a part of any Assosiations or Groups?

Aptigoal Business Consulting LLC

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

Any related blogs that you read frequently?

The Becker-Posner Blog
The Becker-Posner Blog
Very thought-provoking.

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

How did you determine your rates?

I looked at what other consultants with similar education, experience, and knowledge and skills providing services in the same market charged for their services.

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

Any tips or advice?

First, I must ask why you are looking to get into consulting, and why you think that you would make a quality consultant.

**Dale King** · 01-02-2008 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

For all of the consultants on this board:

What books helped you get started?

What advise would you have for someone just getting started?

Are you a part of any Assosiations or Groups?

Any related blogs that you read frequently?

How did you determine your rates?

Any tips or advice?

Thanks.

-Will

I highly recommend you read "The Consultant's Kit: Establishing and Operating Your Own Successful Consulting Business" by Dr. Jeffrey Lant. That book helped me get started many years ago. I've had my copy for over 10 years. In my opinion, this is the best book ever written on the subject of running a consulting business. Some of the topics the book covers include:

-Define your specialty and make the most money. (That would be my advice to you. Define your own niche.)
-Develop a contact network and get business fast.
-Market and promote your expertise.
-Upgrade a lead into a profitable contact.
-Write contracts that protect your interests.
-Set up shop.
-Incorporate.
-Handle bookkeeping, accounting and tax matters.
And much, much more!

If you are serious about being a professional consultant, grab this book!

Dale King

**paul2145r** · 01-02-2008 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by jmenq2

Every last one that I've read. The more you read, the more you know. There is no "Business Consulting for Dummies."

Actually, there is- it's called "Consulting for Dummies". It is a bright-yellow book with rather interesting anecdotes and fairly generalized advice. My wife bought it for me (as a joke more than anything, lol), but it turned out to be a pretty good ready. If you want to learn the basics in a day or two, take a look at the "Dummies" series. Otherwise, go to school, run 3-4 businesses for a few years, write a book or two, and then become a consultant.

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-02-2008 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by paul2145r

Actually, there is- it's called "Consulting for Dummies". It is a bright-yellow book with rather interesting anecdotes and fairly generalized advice. My wife bought it for me (as a joke more than anything, lol), but it turned out to be a pretty good ready. If you want to learn the basics in a day or two, take a look at the "Dummies" series. Otherwise, go to school, run 3-4 businesses for a few years, write a book or two, and then become a consultant.

Lol. My mistake. The point is that you can't expect to just read a book and be a capable business consultant. I know I wouldn't want someone consulting for my business if his/her basis for consulting was a desire to consult and having read Consulting for Dummies. As I mentioned, it takes much more than just learning pointers from a book. However, I think I might check the book out just for a good read. Thanks!

**hondaspeder** · 01-02-2008 08:50 PM

First, I must ask why you are looking to get into consulting, and why you think that you would make a quality consultant.

I own and operate my own e-commerce/manufacturing company. We have been in business for 5 years and I have helped in a few other startups. I am currently consulting 2 business's (a law firm and a DVD productions company) I am using my experience with my personal company to help lay better foundations for both of these companies. I enjoy all parts of business and feel more than qualified to help these business with the basics.

I don't necessarily need a book on consulting but I hate treading through pages and pages of websites for all the good stuff. I figure if its condensed into a nice book it will give me a better basis before I start treading.

I am also interested in basic contracts and tips from someone who has been working at it for awhile. I know in my business there are a lot of things that you would think are common sense but end up being easily over looked. I am just looking for some of that info from people in the trenches.

I think i will go ahead and pick up both of those books to see what the contain as well as sign up to the Blog you recommended.

I highly recommend you read "The Consultant's Kit: Establishing and Operating Your Own Successful Consulting Business" by Dr. Jeffrey Lant.

"Consulting for Dummies"

Any other information you guys have feel free to throw it out here. I was wondering if there are any "business consulting" journals or magazines that you may be subscribed to as well.

Thanks for all the great answers!

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-02-2008 09:07 PM

Also read the WSJ daily. There's so much knowledge there to digest that can help in many ways.

**paul2145r** · 01-03-2008 12:12 AM

There aren't any magazines for consultants that I'm aware of, but Entrepreneur magazine makes a good read.

**BusinessAdviser** · 01-03-2008 12:21 AM

I'm a huge fan of Entrepreneur Magazine as well. Great recommendation.

**GlobalITSolutions** · 01-03-2008 01:06 AM

Originally Posted by hondaspeder

For all of the consultants on this board:

What books helped you get started?
Micheal Gerber - E-Myth
Kenneth Blanchard - The One Minute Manger
Bradley J Sugars - The Business Coach
Dr. Phil McGraw - Family First (I have 2 kids)
Rhonda Byrne - The Secret

What advise would you have for someone just getting started?
Get a with your local SBA & SCORE group!

Are you a part of any Assosiations or Groups?
ASBA, SCORE, and a bunch of associations & local groups

Any related blogs that you read frequently?
nope, just cio&cfo.com

How did you determine your rates?
Cost of Goods + Employee Cost Rate + Average Market Price = Expected Profit

Any tips or advice?
trust your instincts

Thanks.

-Will

Thanks,
Dave

**edwardhalim** · 01-03-2008 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by jmenq2

Also read the WSJ daily. There's so much knowledge there to digest that can help in many ways.

Great recommendation on WSJ. Hondaspeder, If you are a student, they offer student discounts on their subscription.

-Ed

**Dale King** · 01-03-2008 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by paul2145r

There aren't any magazines for consultants that I'm aware of.

Actually, there is. "Consulting Magazine" is the #1 publication for the consulting profession. Its been around for about 40 years. You might also want to check out the website Consulting Central. It's run by Kennedy Information - the same company that publishes Consulting Magazine.

Dale King