Thinking about Becoming a Consultant?

Becoming a Successful Independent Consultant

Many people want to become independent consultants. That’s especially true for those who have an advanced degree and-or years of experience. Consulting seems a logical progression for senior professionals and has many benefits. It can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that around 80% of new consultancies fail within their first two years. According to Rob O’Byrne, “Consulting startups fare far worse that any other professional entrepreneurship.”

You don’t want that to happen to you. Here’s how to improve your chances of succeeding.

Ginevra Drinka, Ph.D. and I will be facilitating a workshop specifically for new consultants in the fields shown below. Together we have over 50 years of experience as internal and external consultants. I've led a successful independent consulting firm since 1989. We've learned a lot. Our goal is to share our knowledge and prepare you for success so you are one of the 20% who make it past their first two years and well into the future. If you are seriously thinking about becoming an independent consultant this course is an important investment in your future.

Who should attend? People contemplating becoming independent consultants in any of these fields:

• Training, Human Resources, Strategy, IT
• Change Management, OD or I-O, Project Management
• Leadership Effectiveness, Teaming Solutions
• Organization Culture, DEI, Organization Effectiveness
• Management, or something similar

What is covered?

• The differentiators between initial success and failing to get off the ground.
• Actions to take to get off to a good start.
• Identifying products and services that prospective clients want and need, versus hoping for new business.
• Identifying a profitable market niche and separating yourself from existing competitors.
• Branding, marketing, and selling your services effectively.
• Strategies for partnering with others.
• Writing proposals and establishing fee schedules.
• Creating marketing materials, commercial websites, online educational materials, etc.
• The business side of consulting: time commitment, financial commitment, legal-tax-insurance issues.
• Preparing yourself and your family for your transition to an independent consultant: adjusting your mindset, work-life balance, resiliency, and adapting.

There are plenty of forms, samples, worksheets, and activities that help you put together a realistic startup plan that not just helps generate clients, but also puts your new business on solid footing. The strategies are universal and can transfer across cultures.

Dates and Times

This highly interactive workshop is 100% online and will be held August 7, 9, 11, 14 and 16 from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time. Early, discounted registration will begin in just a few weeks. Please send me an email with the subject, “BASIC.” I will make sure you receive all the information needed to register for the course. The course is 15 hours long and costs $2495. [email protected]

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