- Follow this blog:
- RSS
- Email Alert
IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
-
Internal consulting departments can provide nimble solutions and help retain clients
When a business asked a talented programmer to help establish an internal consulting department, he jumped at the chance. The biggest challenges proved to be more political than technological.
Posted by Paul Baldwin | September 24, 2008, 6:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by tuomo@...
-
Search online for IT consulting mentors
The isolation caused by telecommuting, combined with the immediate availability of the wisdom of hundreds of experts through their blogs and other social media, make it more practical for...
Posted by Chip Camden | September 23, 2008, 5:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
-
Stamp out personal use of company Internet access, or... the policy everyone loves to ignore
Offer your clients guidance in defining and implementing a "no personal business" policy for corporate PCs.
Posted by Susan Harkins | September 22, 2008, 8:31 AM PDT | Latest comment by johntheadams
-
Lessons learned the hard way in an architectural document disaster
Delivering project reports in radically different formats gave the client a bad impression of this consulting firm. Here's how the staff remedied the situation and learned from their mistake.
Posted by Shannon Kalvar | September 18, 2008, 2:05 PM PDT | Latest comment by tuomo@...
-
Ethics: When telling the truth to the client hurts everyone
When a firm gets the majority of its business as a third-party consultant with a large vendor, it sometimes finds itself placed in the position of having to do what is best for the vendor and not...
Posted by Paul Baldwin | September 17, 2008, 11:31 AM PDT | Latest comment by mikifinaz1@...
-
How IT consultants can become mentors
Spending time coaching a client's employee can benefit all parties involved. Chip Camden explains the four steps that IT consultants should follow to become a mentor.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 15, 2008, 10:20 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
-
Urge consulting clients to prepare for disasters
Statistics on businesses lost to disaster are overwhelmingly oppressive. If you have a stubborn client who resists preparing for the worst, help shed some light on reality. Without a plan, the...
Posted by Susan Harkins | September 13, 2008, 10:04 AM PDT | Latest comment by Jaqui
-
What separates a good technical consultant from the pack?
It seems like anyone can hang out a consultant shingle, but not everyone can deliver. Here are the traits that make a consultant stand out from the crowd.
Posted by Robert Bogue | September 12, 2008, 3:54 PM PDT | Latest comment by Richardinfo
-
Balancing client communication with the flow of productivity
Staying focused on work can be a challenge when clients expect to be able to contact you 24/7. Chip Camden shares his thoughts about the effectiveness and hindrances of some common ways to...
Posted by Chip Camden | September 5, 2008, 4:30 PM PDT | Latest comment by noraziah_ag@...
-
What to do when a small client wants a full-time employee
Not every small business client is going to be happy with a part-time IT consultant. Some will want a full-time employee and that's usually not going to be in their best interest. Help them make...
Posted by Susan Harkins | September 5, 2008, 1:13 PM PDT | Latest comment by Tony Hopkinson
-
When the right price for software is zero
Chip Camden recounts a situation in which he should have given a prospective client a code snippet for free because it could have led to more consulting work down the road.
Posted by Chip Camden | September 4, 2008, 1:12 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
-
Questions clients and consultants need to ask before a new engagement
Chip Camden offers clients and consultants advice about questions to ask during the interview process so both parties have a good idea of what they're getting themselves into by the end of the...
Posted by Chip Camden | August 26, 2008, 6:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by smallbiz-techwiz
-
Convince clients to take PC security seriously
Here are three simple steps that you can take to help IT consulting clients adopt, implement, and enforce a proactive security policy that will protect the systems you support.
Posted by Susan Harkins | August 23, 2008, 10:14 AM PDT
-
Ease consulting clients into your payment structure
During client negotiations, consultants sometimes forget to serve their own interests first, especially when it comes to payment issues. Here are tips on how to ask for your desired payment...
Posted by Lisa Gill | August 22, 2008, 1:36 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
-
Are you doing IT consulting work you enjoy?
If you want to gauge how satisfied you are with your work, here are six questions to ask yourself about each consulting gig that comes your way.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 18, 2008, 7:30 AM PDT | Latest comment by vipulsp@...
-
Provide flat-fee maintenance to improve your bottom line
If putting out fires is your number one drain, it's time to reassess your strategy.
Posted by Susan Harkins | August 17, 2008, 8:51 AM PDT | Latest comment by ssharkins@...
-
Do certifications help IT consultants attract business?
If you think getting certified will bring in more IT consulting clients and convey that you're a subject matter expert, read why Chip Camden says it may be prudent to save your time and money.
Posted by Chip Camden | August 13, 2008, 10:28 AM PDT | Latest comment by hrobertjean@...
-
Standardization - the hard sell, but a great sell, if you can work the deal
If IT consultants can talk clients into standardization, clients will save money in higher productivity, and IT consultants will make money and have work for months and possibly even years.
Posted by Susan Harkins | August 8, 2008, 3:33 PM PDT | Latest comment by ssharkins@...
-
Do IT consultants need legal protection from competition?
Many IT consultants would like to make the playing field a little less even -- if it makes the money roll their way. Find out where Chip Camden stands on legal protection for IT consultants from...
Posted by Chip Camden | August 5, 2008, 9:27 AM PDT | Latest comment by Marty R. Milette
-
Are you a consultant or a contractor?
You've hung your consultant shingle, but are you truly fulfilling the role? Learn the differences between consultants and contractors, and find out about two dangerous career traps.
Posted by Comprehensive Solutions | August 4, 2008, 2:50 AM PDT | Latest comment by kris.rzepkowski@...
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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@...
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
