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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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10 questions for aspiring independent consultants
Erik Eckel poses 10 questions that will help technology professionals determine if IT consulting is the right career path for them.
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 24, 2011, 8:55 PM PDT | Latest comment by birumut
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Telling clients 'I don't know' is acceptable
Consultants should market themselves to clients as providing the right answers rather than having all the answers. This is why it's beneficial to know how to conduct reasoned research.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 23, 2011, 7:49 AM PDT | Latest comment by bobp@...
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Cash reserves: the ideal and the real
Independent consultants, do you have cash reserves large enough to be able to do without any business for six months? If not, Chip Camden explains why it's prudent to set aside funds.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 15, 2011, 3:58 PM PDT | Latest comment by Tom Sullivan
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Encourage clients to maintain new investments
After you complete a major upgrade or replacement, it's the perfect time to try to correct clients' bad habits and inform them about best business and maintenance practices.
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 13, 2011, 11:46 AM PDT | Latest comment by tbmay
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Three commandments when clients change accounts
Grace pays when you're dealing with service provider changes. IT consultancy owner Erik Eckel details three ways to ease these transitions.
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 9, 2011, 12:55 PM PDT | Latest comment by Erik Eckel
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A little something extra
High quality coffee beans could possibly save a rocky client relationship. Chip Camden explains how in his post about goodwill, respect, and kindness.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 8, 2011, 8:24 AM PDT | Latest comment by albayaaabc@...
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Lock it up: Consultants must manage clients' domains
Erik Eckel reviews how IT consultancies can recommend and justify maintaining domain registration for clients.
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 5, 2011, 5:57 PM PDT | Latest comment by tbmay
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Manage your project log in MindGenius
Dr. Andrew Makar says using MindGenius software for project logs is easier than filtering a spreadsheet. Read about the benefits of the mind mapping format.
Posted by Andrew Makar | August 5, 2011, 2:41 PM PDT | Latest comment by ClarCE
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Professionalism vs. approachability: A consultant's dilemma
Adopting a professional image that presents clients with the message you want to put out there can be tricky. Read consultant Chip Camden's advice on marketing yourself.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 1, 2011, 9:14 AM PDT | Latest comment by apotheon
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Five reasons to use MindGenius on your projects
MindGenius software provides a better user experience for data capture, categorization, and export activities than other mind mapping tools, according to IT project expert Dr. Andrew Makar.
Posted by Andrew Makar | July 29, 2011, 6:22 PM PDT | Latest comment by UnkleJon
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Upgrade vs. replace a client server: Tips on making the call
Erik Eckel provides five guidelines IT consultancies can adopt to help clients maximize their server investments.
Posted by Erik Eckel | July 29, 2011, 1:32 PM PDT | Latest comment by JohnieEnglish
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Working with clients you dislike
Chip Camden presents five options for dealing with the problem of working with clients whom you dislike. Let us know how you handle these delicate situations.
Posted by Chip Camden | July 25, 2011, 10:36 AM PDT | Latest comment by SamFrench
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When you're tired and hurried, watch out for the mines!
Minesweeper is Chip Camden's game of choice when he needs to evaluate his alertness. He offers advice on what to do if you determine your brain is in low power mode.
Posted by Chip Camden | July 21, 2011, 3:43 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Social coding -- the next wave in development
New social coding tools are enabling a revolution in product development. Rick Freedman reveals what he sees as the key stumbling block for social development.
Posted by Rick Freedman | July 19, 2011, 1:44 PM PDT | Latest comment by ondcross
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Selecting the best distributor for your consultancy
A good distributor can help you obtain competitive pricing for clients and expand your consultancy's software and hardware catalog. Here are three tips on selecting a distributor.
Posted by Erik Eckel | July 15, 2011, 11:31 AM PDT | Latest comment by Wirelessdude
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Lessons learned in the Norming and Performing team development phases
Once you master the first two stages in Bruce Tuckman's team development model, here are tips on effectively completing the Norming and Performing phases.
Posted by Andrew Makar | July 13, 2011, 7:35 AM PDT | Latest comment by blarman
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Guidelines on upgrading vs. replacing a client workstation
Erik Eckel shares his IT consultancy's guidelines that help them determine whether to upgrade or replace a client system that's showing age.
Posted by Erik Eckel | July 11, 2011, 9:49 AM PDT | Latest comment by BrokenEagle
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What to do when it's one of those days
If nothing seems to be going right, read Chip Camden's words of wisdom for dealing with these stressful situations. He also lists three reasons why people may experience streaks of bad luck.
Posted by Chip Camden | July 8, 2011, 10:44 AM PDT | Latest comment by HAL 9000
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Lessons learned in the Forming and Storming team development phases
Andy Makar shares his simple strategies for effectively managing a project team in the first two phases of Bruce Tuckman's team development model, Forming and Storming.
Posted by Andrew Makar | July 5, 2011, 9:20 AM PDT | Latest comment by javedpmp
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Are you pouring your consulting fees into your gas tank?
The rising gasoline prices in the U.S. is causing some consultants to think about how to account for these costs in their billing. Let us know if and how you're accounting for the high cost of fuel.
Posted by Chip Camden | July 4, 2011, 11:04 AM PDT | Latest comment by Developr
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Tips for choosing your professional email address
Your professional email address is like a handshake to clients. Chip Camden advises what to do and what not to do when creating that email address.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 13, 2011, 7:14 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Microsoft Project Professional 2013 new features preview
After using the Microsoft Project Professional 2013 Preview, Will Kelly reports back on a handful of appealing new features and tools.
Posted by Will Kelly | September 18, 2012, 8:24 AM PDT
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Create a one-page status report with Microsoft Project 2010
See how easy it is to customize Microsoft Project 2010 to create a custom view that filters detailed tasks and highlights the major deliverables that need reviewing in a status report.
Posted by Andrew Makar | March 13, 2013, 12:51 AM PDT
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Configure automated backups using SyncToy and Windows 7's Scheduled Task
Learn how to create a new SyncToy task that automatically schedules backups of the directories clients need regularly backed up to a network share or external hard disk.
Posted by Erik Eckel | March 9, 2012, 2:34 PM PST | Latest comment by wdpcpa
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Learn BYOD policy best practices from templates
No two BYOD policies are or should be alike. Here are four BYOD policy templates that might help you seed your BYOD policy discussion and development process.
Posted by Will Kelly | May 1, 2013, 6:03 AM PDT
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Define project scope to include deliverables, boundaries, and requirements
There are two places that scope is defined on your project. High-level scope is defined in your project charter. Low-level scope is defined in your business requirements document. High-level...
Posted by Tom Mochal | September 18, 2007, 1:01 AM PDT | Latest comment by user_786@...
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Signs a client may not be ready for managed services
Warning bells should go off in your head if you spot any of these items indicating managed services are not a priority at a prospective client's site.
Posted by Erik Eckel | May 15, 2013, 9:44 AM PDT | Latest comment by jbrunner007@...
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Mitigate project role confusion for staff wearing multiple hats
If you expect your developers or contractors to take on business analyst or project manager roles, here are three ways to help them be effective and stay motivated.
Posted by Rick Freedman | July 23, 2012, 5:01 PM PDT | Latest comment by lars.aarby@...
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Customizable IT consultant sample contract
Chip Camden presents his standard consulting contract, along with explanations about each section. See if you can modify his contract to fit your needs.
Posted by Chip Camden | November 3, 2008, 6:31 AM PST | Latest comment by amilkh
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Seven rules for flying with a laptop: Share these tips with clients
A client is planning on flying for an upcoming trip, and you know he may not have time to check the TSA's guidelines on traveling with a laptop. Be a good little elf and prepare your client for...
Posted by Susan Harkins | October 22, 2008, 5:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by Marty R. Milette
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Marketing trends and strategies for consultants
These survey results indicate what types of marketing consultants spend time on compared with how those varying time commitments result in income.
Posted by Chip Camden | April 23, 2013, 7:07 AM PDT | Latest comment by joerejeski
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Data center build-out considerations for small IT consultancies
Your IT consulting firm can gain a competitive edge in its region by building its cloud network. Here are three factors to consider before making this investment.
Posted by Erik Eckel | April 19, 2013, 8:29 AM PDT
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Herding tigers: How to manage subcontractors for your consultancy
Chip Camden tells a reader who is starting an IT consultancy that she has to coordinate efforts between clients and her genius subcontractors. Post your advice on managing subcontractors.
Posted by Chip Camden | May 7, 2013, 1:25 PM PDT | Latest comment by realvarezm
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Telling clients 'I don't know' is acceptable
Consultants should market themselves to clients as providing the right answers rather than having all the answers. This is why it's beneficial to know how to conduct reasoned research.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 23, 2011, 7:49 AM PDT | Latest comment by bobp@...
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Use PERT technique for more accurate estimates
Regardless of the technique you use, the tendency in project estimation is to provide one number for each estimate. In other words, if you have 100 activities on your schedule, each activity would...
Posted by Tom Mochal | June 25, 2007, 8:16 AM PDT | Latest comment by joebailey77
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How to determine your consulting fees
In my previous post I mentioned that I'm raising rates for most of my clients this year -- which brings up the question of how we consultants should determine our rates to begin with. Most...
Posted by Chip Camden | January 4, 2008, 1:55 PM PST | Latest comment by DonnaMitchell
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Independent contractors: Make sure your contract protects your interests
Writing a contract can help independent contractors and clients iron out project details ahead of time and avoid potential disputes down the line. Meredith Little outlines what verbiage and...
Posted by Meredith Little | March 13, 2009, 12:25 PM PDT | Latest comment by PMPsicle
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Only novices daisy-chain switches
If you support so many network nodes that multiple switches are required, technology consultant Erik Eckel encourages you to do it right.
Posted by Erik Eckel | November 11, 2011, 11:56 PM PST | Latest comment by spglmn
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Huddle: a worthy SharePoint alternative for client collaboration
SharePoint is the go-to collaboration suite for most professional services firms. Find out why the SaaS-based Huddle might be a more expedient and user-friendly client extranet option.
Posted by Will Kelly | May 16, 2013, 12:40 PM PDT
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Three strengths of a technical project manager
A technical project manager straddles the line between technical savvy and organizational skill. As I mentioned in my earlier blog, this combination makes him prone to the same kinds of...
Posted by Shannon Kalvar | April 14, 2007, 5:25 AM PDT | Latest comment by Todder
