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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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Help prospective clients justify hiring you
When a consulting prospect wants to hire you for a job but knows he'll receive resistance from upper management, here are three things you can do to help seal the deal.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 11, 2009, 10:16 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Consider alternate arrangements to do contract work in a foreign country
Landing an overseas consulting job can seem impossible unless you consider all your options. Here are alternatives that could expedite your journey.
Posted by Meredith Little | September 9, 2009, 2:37 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Inside Intuit's QuickBooks 2009 ProAdvisor certification
Consider bolstering your IT consultant resume with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification. Here's what you need to know about this cert program.
Posted by Erik Eckel | September 8, 2009, 6:17 AM PDT | Latest comment by Erik Eckel
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Unrealistic project estimates: The IT consultant as an enabler
All IT consultants have given clients unrealistic estimates at one time or another. Get tips on how to resist the pressure to give ad hoc estimates.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 4, 2009, 5:17 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Find contracting work with foreign clients using these resources
If you're thinking about contracting outside the United States, here are some sites that provide information about international consulting work.
Posted by Meredith Little | September 3, 2009, 9:15 PM PDT | Latest comment by JakeDTownsend
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Got the travel bug? Consider contracting outside the United States
If you've considered working outside the United States, but you haven't taken the plunge yet, here's what you need to do before you pack your bags.
Posted by Meredith Little | August 28, 2009, 11:29 PM PDT | Latest comment by jck
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Effects of the recession on IT consultants
Chip Camden shares his thoughts on how the recession affects IT consultants and reveals the single greatest factor in keeping your consultancy afloat.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 28, 2009, 4:21 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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The IT consultant as educator and student
Chip Camden says he's spending more time these days educating his clients. He encourages IT consultants to be teachers as well as students.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 24, 2009, 3:58 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Establishing effective partnerships with subcontractors
When your IT consultancy is dependent upon subcontractors to fulfill critical responsibilities, it's imperative the partnership is a success because their failures will reflect poorly on your...
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 22, 2009, 3:06 PM PDT | Latest comment by roger.hsieh@...
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Research client financials and business environment before signing on
Finding out about a client's financial and business information can help a consultant determine if it's too risky to accept a contract offer. Here are ways to get detailed financial information on...
Posted by Meredith Little | August 19, 2009, 11:51 PM PDT
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My early years in IT consulting: What I did and didn't do well
If you could do it all over again, would you do anything differently in your first few years as an IT consultant? Chip Camden, who has almost two decades of consulting experience, offers his...
Posted by Chip Camden | August 18, 2009, 5:13 PM PDT | Latest comment by nomad1848
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Controlling spam may reduce clients' energy costs
Clients are likely aware that spam can lead to loss of productivity, but they might not know that it may result in them paying more for energy. Here are five ways to help clients reduce spam.
Posted by Susan Harkins | August 14, 2009, 9:44 AM PDT
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Three tips for billing maintenance plans
In order for an IT consultancy to maximize maintenance plans, consultants must first learn how to properly administer these agreements. Erik Eckel offers advice about billing from lessons he has...
Posted by Erik Eckel | August 13, 2009, 9:45 PM PDT | Latest comment by kehindeIbiejugba
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Read your client to establish the rules of engagement
Chip Camden offers another consulting maxim: When you can't read your client, request a larger font. He explains why you must be able to read your client.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 10, 2009, 11:59 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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The absentminded IT consultant: How to stay focused and organized
Chip Camden, a self-proclaimed absent-minded IT consultant, shares a few secrets to his success. He offers tips on how to get focused and reveals which app has helped him stay organized.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 5, 2009, 11:29 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Research clients before agreeing to work with them
Meredith Little discusses the reasons for and the benefits of researching potential clients. She also advises on where to go for information that will help you determine if you should accept that...
Posted by Meredith Little | July 31, 2009, 11:37 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Can smartphones replace your clients' laptops and netbooks?
Your clients might be wondering if smartphones can really replace their laptops and netbooks. Susan Harkins explains that applications and subscriptions make switching to smartphones a reality for...
Posted by Susan Harkins | July 30, 2009, 1:54 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Negotiating with clients who use bait and switch
A newbie consultant is in a jam with a client negotiation. He agreed to a lower than desired hourly consulting fee because of the client's use of bait and switch. What would you do in this situation?
Posted by Chip Camden | July 27, 2009, 10:34 AM PDT | Latest comment by RedDawg
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Three tips for selling maintenance plans to clients
Maintenance plans may be the best investment an organization can make when trying to protect against data loss and unscheduled outages and downtime. Erik Eckel shares how his consulting firm sells...
Posted by Erik Eckel | July 23, 2009, 8:45 PM PDT
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Consultants, how independent are you?
For each consultant, there is an acceptable range of independence. Let us know where you are in this range by answering six poll questions about your number of clients, scheduling, decision...
Posted by Chip Camden | July 21, 2009, 1:45 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Use LiquidPlanner's checklists to track project tasks and communications
LiquidPlanner's latest enhancements are checklists and better collaboration features. By using the checklists, your project team just might be more productive.
Posted by Will Kelly | April 18, 2013, 1:21 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
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Free project collaboration tools that rock
Andrew Makar explains why these three project collaboration tools are worth a look: Cohuman, Asana, and Trello.
Posted by Andrew Makar | December 3, 2011, 1:45 PM PST | Latest comment by Johndenham
