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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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Consultant encourages other women in IT to explore their options
The number of women in IT is shrinking and some see that as a problem. Susan Sales Harkins sees something different -- she sees opportunity.
Posted by Susan Harkins | March 9, 2009, 10:26 AM PDT | Latest comment by ssharkins@...
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The difference between contracting and consulting, and why it matters
Meredith Little offers basic definitions for a contractor and a consultant and explains why it matters what you call yourself. She also provides tips on how not to get burned when dealing with...
Posted by Meredith Little | March 4, 2009, 11:55 AM PST | Latest comment by Gabby22
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Creating a productive workspace: An IT consultant's office essentials
Chip Camden advises IT consultants to spend less on sprucing up their office for clients and take more time on making their office a productive space. He also discusses what to keep in mind if...
Posted by Chip Camden | March 3, 2009, 11:01 AM PST | Latest comment by reisen55@...
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Protect clients' data and their users from sophisticated security attacks
Attend this Webcast to learn how to protect your clients' proprietary corporate and customer data and their users from sophisticated security attacks. Also, get answers to your questions about the...
Posted by TechRepublic | February 27, 2009, 11:06 AM PST
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Do you have the right personality to be an independent consultant?
Meredith Little discusses the importance of taking a good look at your personality and your expectations before making the leap to consulting and contracting work.
Posted by Meredith Little | February 26, 2009, 7:45 AM PST | Latest comment by gas@...
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IT security may keep your consultancy in the black
Even though companies are reprioritizing and slashing their 2009 budgets, Susan Sales Harkins predicts that one area will hold its own -- IT security. She encourages IT consultants to specialize...
Posted by Susan Harkins | February 25, 2009, 1:06 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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CIOs-turned-IT consultants offer tips on striking out on your own
Starting your own IT consultancy can be fraught with challenges. Here's some practical advice about finding your niche, setting up shop, and minding your finances from former CIOs who have taken...
Posted by Mary Weilage | February 24, 2009, 5:47 AM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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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 StevenDDeacon
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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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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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18 maxims of successful IT consulting
Chip Camden shares IT consulting lessons he's picked up over the years. After you read his pearls of wisdom, post your favorite consulting one-liners in the discussion.
Posted by Chip Camden | June 1, 2013, 5:39 AM PDT | Latest comment by Clendanielc
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Project management: One size does not fit all
Some projects are not suited to a Waterfall approach, and they're not a perfect fit for a 100% Agile approach. The solution might be a combination of the two project management methodologies.
Posted by Michelle Symonds | May 31, 2013, 6:03 AM PDT | Latest comment by sherry23
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Statement of work: essential or useless?
Chip Camden advises on how to write a statement of work that fits with an iterative development process, yet still provides assurances of value to the client and to the consultant.
Posted by Chip Camden | May 21, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by Curtis_Wayne
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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How to improve borderline client relationships
Here are four methods for reinvigorating a client relationship that has become strained. If these tactics don't work, it may be time to cut the client loose.
Posted by Erik Eckel | June 13, 2013, 8:44 PM PDT
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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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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 secondstartech
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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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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
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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
