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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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Plan client application updates and upgrades with these tips
Erik Eckel discusses five best practices IT consultants should follow to ensure client application updates and upgrades complete properly.
Posted by Erik Eckel | October 7, 2010, 8:27 PM PDT
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Devise an effective exit strategy for consulting engagements
Consultants should come up with their exit strategy early in the engagement so they can time the project and the exit, line up follow-up work, and get client referrals and testimonials.
Posted by John Weathington | October 1, 2010, 12:42 PM PDT
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Manage client server OS patching with these best practices
Follow these best practices to ensure the server OS patch process runs smoothly and doesn't introduce new issues and possibly sour the client relationship.
Posted by Erik Eckel | October 1, 2010, 10:15 AM PDT | Latest comment by xeox
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Compensation survey reveals consultants' optimism
Women in Consulting's 2010 compensation survey results indicate participants are optimistic about projected revenue and that effective use of social media has helped their profitability.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 27, 2010, 1:04 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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What to do when a client disputes service charges
When a client questions why their bill is so high, it can be a frustrating experience. IT consultant Erik Eckel offers guidance on how to handle this delicate situation.
Posted by Erik Eckel | September 24, 2010, 9:32 AM PDT | Latest comment by reisen55@...
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When your client thinks the grass is greener elsewhere
Don't be adversarial if a client decides to hire another consultant or go with a solution other than the one you present. Chip Camden offers advice on how to handle this situation.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 21, 2010, 12:51 PM PDT | Latest comment by spam@...
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How consultants can deal with the Impostor syndrome
The Impostor syndrome is a phenomenon in which successful people fail to appreciate their own abilities. Chip Camden offers consultants advice on what to do if they experience the syndrome.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 10, 2010, 11:59 PM PDT | Latest comment by AnsuGisalas
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Address employee performance issues before your consulting firm suffers
If an engineer at your IT consultancy exhibits any of these warning signs, it may be time to talk about their performance. Here are tips on how to handle these tough situations.
Posted by Erik Eckel | September 9, 2010, 1:01 PM PDT | Latest comment by Tony Hopkinson
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Evaluate your consulting expertise using the Dreyfus model
Do you qualify for the title of expert consultant based on the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition? Read about the model's five stages of learning to find out.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 3, 2010, 10:28 PM PDT | Latest comment by Tony Hopkinson
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Minimize errors during client moves by planning ahead
With proper planning, you can ensure client office relocations proceed smoothly. Follow these steps to minimize confusion, errors, and omissions.
Posted by Erik Eckel | September 3, 2010, 8:52 PM PDT | Latest comment by Jaqui
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Where are the women in IT consulting?
In Chip Camden's 20 years of consulting, he has only worked with one female consultant. He looked into whether his experience is unique in the IT industry. Find out what he learned.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 27, 2010, 2:20 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Make more money without getting new clients
Want your IT consulting work to bring in more money? Instead of chasing down new business, try these three approaches with the clients you already have.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 26, 2010, 3:39 PM PDT | Latest comment by jgirizarry@...
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Five policies for every IT consultancy employee handbook
Erik Eckel explains why every IT consultancy employee handbook should include these policies: Internet and email usage, confidentiality, data storage and protection, documentation, and social media.
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 26, 2010, 11:51 AM PDT | Latest comment by Mon_Selis
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Commandments for Distributed Collaborative Development
Independent software development consultant Chip Camden spends much of his day worrying about Distributed Collaborative Development. These are the DCD rules he has learned throughout the years.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 20, 2010, 11:24 PM PDT | Latest comment by AnsuGisalas
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Improve client relations by scheduling lunch meetings
When you work at a breakneck pace, it's a challenge to manage client relations and squeeze in lunch. One easy solution is to schedule lunch meetings with clients.
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 18, 2010, 12:44 PM PDT
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Common sense tips for overwhelmed IT consultants
Feeling bogged down with your IT consulting work? Before you switch to another career or go into early retirement, try these simple tips for staying afloat.
Posted by Jack Wallen | August 17, 2010, 5:27 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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A reading list for IT consultants
IT consultants Rick Freedman and Erik Eckel recommend books that cover how to establish your brand, acquire clients, migrate to agile project management, and more.
Posted by Mary Weilage | August 13, 2010, 4:10 PM PDT | Latest comment by mr_bandit
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Prepare your IT consultancy and clients for a disaster
Chip Camden explains why backups are a critical component of the disaster recovery planning process for your IT consultancy and for your clients' businesses.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 5, 2010, 3:10 PM PDT | Latest comment by JohnMcGrew@...
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Should this IT pro accept more work from a controlling peer who pays late?
This independent consultant's dilemma may sound like a no-brainer, but there are some benefits to the relationship. Read the details about this partnership, and then offer the IT pro advice.
Posted by Chip Camden | July 30, 2010, 10:32 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Follow this counterintuitive advice for IT consulting success
Saying no to customer requests and simplifying services and processes sounds counterintuitive to success, but Erik Eckel explains why this is a good business strategy for IT consultants.
Posted by Erik Eckel | July 29, 2010, 2:23 PM PDT | Latest comment by frwagne@...
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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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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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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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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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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 IT_Lunatic
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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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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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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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Maximize Office 365 for project management
Project managers can find a lot to like in Office 365 to keep their teams better connected and centralize their project information and communications.
Posted by Will Kelly | May 22, 2013, 5:55 AM PDT
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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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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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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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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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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 | Latest comment by Julia_WR
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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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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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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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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
