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I was a solo consultant from 2005-2007 and supported my family of four during that time.
I suggest working to become recognized for your expertise before you go solo.
I prepared by blogging, writing many articles and two books, presenting at conferences, and teaching classes. Additionally I was a consultant for a security company for several years, which meant I had a lot of contacts who might hire me for work as an independent. When I was considering going solo, I emailed many of them to let them know I was considering an independent path.
I decided to make the leap when a prospect said they had months of work for me to do. I left my job, but that prospect was all talk! Fortunately I found plenty of other work to compensate.
I paid my bills by scheduling and teaching independent classes. Above that I consulted, which was "bonus" at that point.
I read this book back then. It's from 2000 but the overall message is still relevant:
https://www.amazon.com/Serf-Surfer-Becoming-Network-Consultant/dp/0782126618
Be sure you take care of the "infrastructure" issues early -- taxes, business bank accounts and credit cards, insurance if you need it, etc.
Finally, it's best to decide right away if you intend to be a solo consultant, or if you are starting a business that would employ others. The latter is more complicated, obviously.
It's extremely hard work and the pressure is enormous. Two years was plenty for me but I'm glad I did it. Good luck!
Here ya go... http://www.managedservicesinamonth.com/
Buy the book on Amazon here. It's a quick read but you'll refer back to it over and over. It's a good starting point for those just getting into the game.
Flawless Consulting Book
Here is a great book on this exact issue. https://www.amazon.com/Package-Price-Profit-Essential-Packaging-ebook/dp/B07Y1BHJMY Nigel has a great community that I am a part of.
The full title of the book is
Package, Price, Profit: The Essential Guide to Packaging and Pricing Your MSP Plans
​
Edit add price : the price I can see is $1.10
Been there, done that. I recommend a gold book for anyone who wants to consult. I wish i have read 10 years ago
https://www.amazon.com/Flawless-Consulting-Guide-Getting-Expertise/dp/0470620749 .
Great Success ! :)
I recommend this consulting textbook (cheap to rent!). I recently got it and it made me understand some of the things I am doing wrong about managing my relationships and requirements as an internal employee managing a large project for the first time.
It sounds like your focus on developing happy and fun relationships is actually undermining your project. And, perhaps, in trying to be more positive for your boss, you are actually undermining her opinion of you. When she suggests something you were already going to do, tell her how you planned on implementing it, and why you had it later in the project schedule, instead of complimenting her to see if that works better.
Don't try to get everyone to like you. It sounds like you have about 50% very positive relationships and then 50% that are testing boundaries and seeing what they can get away with. Focus on your own effectiveness and professionalism. As the project manager, you're going to have to be the person people don't like sometimes. Design your own acceptance criteria, communicate it clearly, require that they meet it, if they miss deadlines, escalate it. When you get results, clearly communicate them to your manager and move on.
have you done one of these type of books from amazon?
Is it a live case study or just a presentation/powerpoint?
either way be sure to have a good narrative, be communicative, and invite their participation.
The Foundation Bible of starting an MSP: Managed Services in a Month by Karl Palachuk Amazon Link
I'll also throw a vote in for Traction as a general business book.
Read https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y1BHJMY/
It's a very short book and a fun read. Will help you figure out best pricing for your situation.
It sounds like you're in a good ballpark price wise! Which is very unusual. Most people in your situation undervalue thier time and talent.
Start a MSP and bundle on cyber security as a service to get a client first make sure you have a solid offering and test how you will deploy it get some marketing and business cards have a website that can convert people into leads and then attend local networking events just google "networking area" "business networking events area" I would read MSP in 30 days
and engage in social media mainly linkedin and connect with local business owners
join us r/msp if you do not know what a MSP is i highly suggest you follow the sub Reddit. I would also read https://www.amazon.co.uk/Managed-Services-Month-Successful-Consulting/dp/1942115474/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=managed+services&qid=1569417482&s=books&sr=1-1 and I have no idea about the LLC compared to the UK . I would say register your llc over sole trader
Morning James! This is actually my last week as CTO of my current company, so I've got some documentation to wrap up, and say my goodbyes.
I've just setup a couple meetings this week with potential sources of business. Consulting firms that can contract out work to me. I'm also speaking at a conference next week, so I'm going to spend some time on my slides. The topic is user centered design.
Other than that, I'm hoping to take a couple weeks off and just focus on myself. I'm going to surf, hike, sail, run, and read. I got The Trusted Advisor and Endless Referrals.
Have a great week!
I work as a UX consultant for a large BPM company/direct competitor with Salesforce. I also work with a lot Accenture consultants, mostly dev/BA's. Consulting is tough although it has it's ups and downs. As someone else mentioned, you're sold as an expert so you have to own everything and have little support being the only dedicated resource on a project. I work remote most of the time but have to go onsite depending on the client, so travel is a part of the job. A lot of politics involved in consulting but I think that applies to most industries. Flawless Consulting is a good read if you want more information.
Gotcha.
Another good resource to start thinking like a consultant is here: https://www.amazon.com/Case-Interview-Secrets-Interviewer-Consulting/dp/0984183523
Victor has a lot of stuff for free online.
>Really? I'm looking to get into network security architecture with the goal of obtaining enough experience to start up a security focused MSP for small to medium businesses.
Good luck (I mean that) with starting up a company especially in security it can be hard to establish trust to get the first work. I don't really have much experience starting a business in the field (I was a magician previously though so I have managed clients) but one book I was to read when I started working in security was The Trusted Advisor https://www.amazon.com/Trusted-Advisor-David-H-Maister/dp/0743212347 which has had an impact on my work as a consultant, you might find some value in it.
I work on the 'other side' writing software exploits so I can't comment on much specially, just once again, good luck.
Value-Based Fees is the one I swear by. Really shows how the relationship should be set up (for example using "we" instead of "you"). Definitely a good read.
The only book that I've read (currently reading) is Managed services in a month, haven't got to the part where they (if they) talk about that stuff. You're well established so I'm not sure if it would help you.
Still a GREAT book! Here's the link:https://www.amazon.com/Managed-Services-Month-Successful-Business/dp/0981997856/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473283679&sr=1-1&keywords=managed+services+in+a+month
Its this book
Yeah, Im a nerd, and no Im not ashamed.
Major you need a bit more work on how to sell your credentials. Many people don't realize that philosophy is more practical than its made out to be.
One book you may want to check out is The Management Myth
The book is more a critique on modern management, but was written by a philosophy Ph.D. graduate who went into management consulting. In some parts of the books he espouses the benefits of philosophy training for business people. It may be worth investigating this a bit and using that in your job applications.
Finding Flow. It's about finding what you like to do in whatever tasks you need to perform. It's not specifically geared towards ADHD people, but I found it helpful.