CONSULTING FOR DUMMIES

Fully adapted for a UK audience by consultancy specialist, Philip Albon, this book is an essential guide for anyone considering  making a career out of consulting. Offering practical advice on all aspects of setting-up and running a successful consulting business including; setting your fees, keeping track of time and money, building business with new clients, winning proposals and business networking, Consulting For Dummies is the easiest way to make a name for yourself and profit from your expertise. 


Sections will include:


* What’s a Consultant?– Deciding to set up and finding a business direction

* The Consulting Process– How to create a business proposal, analyse the data, develop recommendations, present the findings, and make sure they’re implemented

* Key Consulting Skills– Presenting a professional image, time-management and organisation, communication skills, writing reports and presentations, using technology

* Setting up your Business– setting fees, drawing up contracts, setting up a home office, keeping track of time and money, multiplying effectiveness with support services

* Marketing– Promotion, getting new clients, using referrals

* Plus, new information  on Business reality– preparing for tax audits and general small business finance



This UK edition of Consulting For Dummies will fully update readers on current e-marketing techniques and the current opportunities offered to those using the Internet to promote their business and build a client list. It will also be adapted to include core UK business and finance information, crucial for those setting up alone. Topics such as bookkeeping and basic accountancy have been added, plus content on UK tax and how government policies affect small businesses. This new edition incorporates updated currency systems in order to cater for the UK market.

Bob Nelson has published over 17 books on business and management.


Peter Economy, a business consultant, has authored numerous books and articles on business topics.


Philip Albon is a management consultant and founder of Techniques for Change, a change and management training consultancy that has worked with over 50 of the FTSE 100 companies.

Introduction 1


Part I: So You Want to Be a Consultant 7


Chapter 1: Introducing the Wonderful World of Consulting 9


Chapter 2: Deciding Whether Consulting Is Right for You 23


Chapter 3: Taking the Plunge with Your Own Consulting Business 37


Part II: Get ting Your Consulting Business Of f the Ground 49


Chapter 4: Starting a Successful Consulting Business 51


Chapter 5: The Legal, Financial, and Ethical Considerations of Your Business 69


Chapter 6: What Are You Worth? Setting Your Fees91


Part III: The Consulting Process 109


Chapter 7: Defi ning the Problem and Writing a Winning Proposal 111


Chapter 8: Data Here, Data There, Data, Data, Everywhere 129


Chapter 9: Problem-Solving and Developing Recommendations 139


Chapter 10: Tell It Like It Is: Presenting Your Recommendations 147


Chapter 11: Implementation: Making Your Prescriptions Work 159


Part IV: Selling and Marketing Your Consulting Services 167


Chapter 12: The ABCs of Selling Consultancy 169


Chapter 13: Getting the Word Out: Promoting Your Business 183


Chapter 14: Building Business and Referrals through Current Clients 193


Chapter 15: Building Business with New Clients 205


Part V: Taking Care of Business 221


Chapter 16: Contracting for Business: It's a Deal! 223


Chapter 17: Keeping Track of Your Time and Money 235


Chapter 18: Communicating Your Way to Success 249


Chapter 19: Troubleshooting Issues and Problems 263


Part VI: Taking Your Consulting Business to the Next Level 275


Chapter 20: Building on Your Success 277


Chapter 21: Advanced Pricing Strategies 287


Chapter 22: Enhancing Your Image and Reputation 297


Part VII: The Par t of Tens 307


Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Improve Your Cash Flow 309


Chapter 24: Ten Effective Marketing Strategies for New Business 315


Chapter 25: Ten Ways to Build Business with a Client 321


Index 327