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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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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
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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@...
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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@...
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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@...
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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@...
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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@...
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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
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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@...
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IT consultant strategies for weathering economic downturns
Check out these tips for keeping your consulting business afloat when the economy is tanking. Chip Camden discusses five marketing tips from Steve McKee and provides six do's and don'ts of his own.
Posted by Chip Camden | July 28, 2008, 1:43 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Reduce friction with client employees: Show them you understand your role
Your conduct at a client site can help you avoid resentment and fear among the employees. These tips will help you be more productive and get along with your temporary coworkers.
Posted by Chris McManaman | July 23, 2008, 5:55 PM PDT | Latest comment by mothershelper
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Harassed for attempting to transition from employee to consultant
When a TechRepublic member told his employer that he planned to resign and work for a small consulting firm (which had been a vendor), his boss threatened to sue the new firm. Find out what...
Posted by Chip Camden | July 21, 2008, 4:15 PM PDT | Latest comment by Mac_IT_Guy
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Don't be a "prideful" PM consultant
Too much pride can be a bad thing for project management (PM) consultants. Is your ego getting in the way of your client's best interest? A TechRepublic member has a wake-up call for you with five...
Posted by Beth Blakely | July 18, 2008, 9:13 AM PDT | Latest comment by bobk@...
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Descope and declare victory
Business will often ask for all they can get when funding a project. Sometimes those things aren't necessary for project success. It is necessary to be willing to identify the "nice to haves" on a...
Posted by Tricia Liebert | July 15, 2008, 1:19 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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How to develop and maintain client relationships
Read Kevin Eikenberry's 10 suggestions for fostering important business relationships with your consulting clients.
Posted by Mary Weilage | July 14, 2008, 6:50 AM PDT | Latest comment by joanna@...
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Insurance for independent IT consultants: Policies to consider
Insurance is one of the last things that independent consultants usually deem necessary when they're starting out. Find out which types of insurance policies independents should consider, and hear...
Posted by Chip Camden | July 14, 2008, 6:28 AM PDT | Latest comment by JohnMcGrew@...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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Manage IT projects with Wrike, a flexible SaaS-based solution
Wrike's import and export features get praise from our reviewer. Find out what else this project management solution offers in this features rundown.
Posted by Will Kelly | May 8, 2013, 6:10 AM PDT
