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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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Avoid the interrupt-driven model of time management
Being the go-to guy is great for client relations and your ego, but it can cut into the time you spend working on big projects and innovating. Here are four steps for improving your time...
Posted by Chip Camden | February 23, 2009, 6:10 AM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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How Obama's initiatives may affect IT consultants
President Obama has promised a number of changes that could impact IT. Susan Harkins offers an overview of some of Obama's plans and initiatives that could affect your work.
Posted by Susan Harkins | February 20, 2009, 5:28 AM PST | Latest comment by JohnMcGrew@...
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Effective ways to secure laptops that your clients may not know
A password, even a strong one, isn't enough anymore to keep laptops safe from vulnerabilities. Susan Harkins discusses several technologies that are still not being widely used, even though they...
Posted by Susan Harkins | February 19, 2009, 7:18 AM PST | Latest comment by ssharkins@...
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Protect small business clients from making these mistakes
IT consultants can help protect their small business clients from common tech mistakes, such as security failures and poor backup strategies. Here are tips on what you can do.
Posted by Mary Weilage | February 18, 2009, 5:32 AM PST | Latest comment by JohnMcGrew@...
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Running an IT consultancy without a credit card
Without depending on credit, what strategies can an IT consultant employ to manage the uneven flow of expenses vs. income? Here are seven suggestions.
Posted by Chip Camden | February 16, 2009, 5:50 PM PST | Latest comment by robbinsmith
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Will your clients skip Windows Vista on their way to Windows 7?
Many experts recommend that users upgrade Windows XP systems to Windows Vista for a smoother migration to Windows 7. Find out why (for the most part) Susan Harkins doesn't agree.
Posted by Susan Harkins | February 10, 2009, 6:03 AM PST | Latest comment by kgunnIT
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Resist the temptation to do wrong by your clients
Making ethical decisions, such as whether to tell a client about a mistake or that you aren't qualified for a project, can be quite a challenge for some consultants. Chip Camden says it isn't...
Posted by Chip Camden | February 6, 2009, 6:54 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Do clients throw projects over the wall to you?
Some clients have a tendency to ask consultants for a quick solution and then remove themselves from the engagement. Rick Freedman explains why consultants must ensure the client collaborates on a...
Posted by Rick Freedman | February 5, 2009, 2:37 PM PST | Latest comment by Joe Pearson
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IT consultants, keep your pipeline healthy
In this economy, it makes sense for IT consultants to want to say "yes" to all job offers to ensure a steady income. But Chip Camden warns that overextending yourself can lead to a very unhealthy...
Posted by Chip Camden | February 1, 2009, 7:12 AM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Advise clients to invest in Web conferencing rather than travel
When IT consulting clients ask for tips on cost-cutting measures, tell them to skip the airplane and log on to the Internet to attend meetings. Web conferencing also has the potential improve...
Posted by Susan Harkins | January 29, 2009, 12:58 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Operational and financial segments make business plans work
A consulting firm's organizational plans are like the inner workings of a watch: You'll rarely see it from the outside, but without it, nobody knows what time it is. Here's what you should include.
Posted by Rick Freedman | January 27, 2009, 7:15 AM PST
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Why relationships are key to IT consulting success
If you land a consulting gig, the best way to become appreciated is to demonstrate that you intend to contribute to your client's happiness. Here are ways to build good relationships with your...
Posted by Chip Camden | January 25, 2009, 10:11 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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What to consider before moving a client's IT department
Nobody likes to move, but imagine moving a business! If you're called upon to help move a client's IT department, be sure to have this helpful checklist handy during the planning stage.
Posted by Susan Harkins | January 23, 2009, 6:43 PM PST | Latest comment by ibrowej
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Five strategies for handling stubborn clients
When a client asks you to implement a project's solution that isn't up to your standards, what do you do? Here are five possible ways of handling this type of situation.
Posted by Chip Camden | January 21, 2009, 9:40 AM PST | Latest comment by Miglena75
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Make sure your business plan includes a targeted marketing strategy
Consultants who put together their own business plans should do everything they can to focus their sales and marketing efforts. Rick Freedman tells you why and how to get started.
Posted by Rick Freedman | January 20, 2009, 6:08 PM PST
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Business planning equals success for IT consultants
A consultancy without a business plan has little chance of success. Find out what both independents and firms need to consider and include to build a solid, clear business plan.
Posted by Rick Freedman | January 16, 2009, 7:45 PM PST | Latest comment by josh.t.richards@...
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Four wireless security tips to share with clients
Susan Harkins says you should help your clients protect their wireless access. She offers four simple mandates that can go a long way.
Posted by Susan Harkins | January 13, 2009, 1:07 PM PST | Latest comment by Neon Samurai
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Don't require a big commitment from IT consulting clients
Worried about keeping your consulting business afloat in this economy? Chip Camden shares how he minimizes the chance of losing a client.
Posted by Chip Camden | January 11, 2009, 6:30 AM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Nine resolutions for a new year of consulting
Chip Camden grades himself on how well he lived up to his six resolutions for 2008 and then adds three more to the list for 2009. IT consultants, what are your resolutions for the new year?
Posted by Chip Camden | January 9, 2009, 3:54 PM PST | Latest comment by PMPsicle
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IT skills CIOs will look for in 2009
Check out Computerworld's list of the nine hottest IT skills for 2009. Do you have what it takes to keep your consulting business thriving through 2009?
Posted by Susan Harkins | January 8, 2009, 7:17 AM PST | Latest comment by z_s
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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
