Comments on: The ups and downs of consulting http://whitneyhess.com/blog/2008/09/15/the-ups-and-downs-of-consulting/ Improving the human experience one day at a time Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:53:46 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Whitney Hess http://whitneyhess.com/blog/2008/09/15/the-ups-and-downs-of-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-2760 Whitney Hess Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:33:42 +0000 http://whitneyhess.com/blog/?p=317#comment-2760 These are great tips, Sam. Thanks so much! These are great tips, Sam. Thanks so much!

]]> By: Whitney Hess http://whitneyhess.com/blog/2008/09/15/the-ups-and-downs-of-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-2761 Whitney Hess Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:31:51 +0000 http://whitneyhess.com/blog/?p=317#comment-2761 Brilliant! Thanks so much for this great advice. Brilliant! Thanks so much for this great advice.

]]> By: tsakell http://whitneyhess.com/blog/2008/09/15/the-ups-and-downs-of-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-2739 tsakell Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:54:41 +0000 http://whitneyhess.com/blog/?p=317#comment-2739 Whitney, nice blog. Sounds like you're learning the fine points of consulting. My suggestion: start applying project management principles. In your consulting principles, you may not be leading the project -- but you can lead your end. Example: Dear client, revisions rec'd by 4 p.m. (Eastern) can be delivered by 9 a.m. (Eastern). Even as a consultant, you CAN manage expectations and delivery. Thought: Add an overnight fee? If late requirements force an all-nighter, charge the all-nighter fee. <br><br>You'd be surprised how open clients are to this idea, when you originally pitch your services. My motto: If you allow people to do whatever they want, they will. Whitney, nice blog. Sounds like you're learning the fine points of consulting. My suggestion: start applying project management principles. In your consulting principles, you may not be leading the project — but you can lead your end. Example: Dear client, revisions rec'd by 4 p.m. (Eastern) can be delivered by 9 a.m. (Eastern). Even as a consultant, you CAN manage expectations and delivery. Thought: Add an overnight fee? If late requirements force an all-nighter, charge the all-nighter fee.

You'd be surprised how open clients are to this idea, when you originally pitch your services. My motto: If you allow people to do whatever they want, they will.

]]> By: Lucius Kwok http://whitneyhess.com/blog/2008/09/15/the-ups-and-downs-of-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-2725 Lucius Kwok Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:42:08 +0000 http://whitneyhess.com/blog/?p=317#comment-2725 Having a good contract lawyer on your side is never a bad thing. Business liability insurance is also a good idea. That's my advice, from my experience.<br><br>It sounds like you're having a really interesting experience so far. I haven't done much consulting work, instead I make Mac software. Having a good contract lawyer on your side is never a bad thing. Business liability insurance is also a good idea. That's my advice, from my experience.

It sounds like you're having a really interesting experience so far. I haven't done much consulting work, instead I make Mac software.

]]> By: Samantha LeVan http://whitneyhess.com/blog/2008/09/15/the-ups-and-downs-of-consulting/comment-page-1/#comment-2723 Samantha LeVan Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:26:55 +0000 http://whitneyhess.com/blog/?p=317#comment-2723 Getting paid:<br>Never expect to be paid on time. Make sure a late fee or interest is built into the contract but also don't expect the company to pay it out. Don't fuss over a few weeks late. Do start complaining after a month past due.<br><br>Who is in control:<br>Who is the primary decision maker at your client's company? It may not be the person claiming to have final say. Always be aware that there'll be "just one more presentation" several times.<br><br>Vacation:<br>Plan vacations well in advance so you have actual time off, not thinking about current work (projects inactive or complete) and new clients lined up for your return so you don't worry about losing touch and not having anything to do. Getting paid:
Never expect to be paid on time. Make sure a late fee or interest is built into the contract but also don't expect the company to pay it out. Don't fuss over a few weeks late. Do start complaining after a month past due.

Who is in control:
Who is the primary decision maker at your client's company? It may not be the person claiming to have final say. Always be aware that there'll be “just one more presentation” several times.

Vacation:
Plan vacations well in advance so you have actual time off, not thinking about current work (projects inactive or complete) and new clients lined up for your return so you don't worry about losing touch and not having anything to do.

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