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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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Big trouble for little white IT consulting lies
Stretching the truth about your abilities to a prospective client can lead to big problems down the road. So why do some IT consultants do it from time to time? Chip Camden shares four reasons why...
Posted by Chip Camden | May 3, 2008, 10:00 AM PDT | Latest comment by binaryme
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Billing IT consulting clients for travel time
Chip Camden says that, if you bill for travel time, you need to spell that out in your client agreement. Find out how he navigates this arrangement with his IT consulting clients.
Posted by Chip Camden | April 30, 2008, 9:17 AM PDT | Latest comment by canadiancontractor
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Do IT consultants have a right to reuse code?
Chip Camden discusses how he handles the issue of code reuse in his IT consulting work and describes why you need to be smart about how you structure contracts and incorporate open-source solutions.
Posted by Chip Camden | April 23, 2008, 2:53 PM PDT | Latest comment by JohnMcGrew@...
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Four issues to consider before becoming a remote IT consultant
Working from home sounds great, but it may not be the best arrangement for you -- or your client. Before investing in a home office, read IT consultant Chip Camden's four reasons why it might be...
Posted by Chip Camden | April 15, 2008, 5:22 PM PDT | Latest comment by pvolkmuth
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Why long-term IT consulting engagements may be preferable
Next week marks the 17th anniversary of when Chip Camden became an independent IT consultant. Read his reflections about some of his consulting engagements, and find out why he thinks it makes...
Posted by Chip Camden | April 7, 2008, 5:16 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Can you identify your shortcomings as an IT consultant?
If you asked clients for a brutally honest critique of your work, what do you think they would say? IT consultant Chip Camden decided to take stock of his shortcomings to see where he could make...
Posted by Chip Camden | March 28, 2008, 10:57 AM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Six ways IT consultants can build their reputation
Are you noticing that new clients aren't jamming your phone lines? If you want to drum up business, here are six strategies that can give your IT consulting career a leg up.
Posted by Chip Camden | March 24, 2008, 3:45 PM PDT | Latest comment by slatimer76@...
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What's more important to become an IT consultant: education or experience?
Discover how Chip Camden answers this member question: "Is there a special course you have to take to become an IT consultant, or does it depend on what computer skills you have?"
Posted by Chip Camden | March 17, 2008, 12:23 PM PDT | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Are you only working for the money?
What would you be doing today if you didn't need to get paid? How much does money determine what engagements you take?
Posted by Chip Camden | March 7, 2008, 1:50 PM PST | Latest comment by bennett6p6p@...
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Six secrets to productivity and getting tasks completed
Last week, we discussed setting the right expectations for yourself. We go beyond that to explore some tips for organizing your workload and getting things done.
Posted by Chip Camden | February 29, 2008, 5:19 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Five steps to enlightened expectations for managing your workload
Running your own business as an independent consultant can be stressful. There's always more that you should be doing. Besides working directly for your clients, you should also be improving...
Posted by Chip Camden | February 21, 2008, 3:52 PM PST | Latest comment by Heather1234
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Five debugging tips for solving software problems
Do you ever have trouble getting information out of your clients? Even when they could give you that information with just a little effort? Here's how to drill down to get to the bottom of a...
Posted by Chip Camden | February 15, 2008, 4:44 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Fighting procrastination when working independently
I love my job. I have several active clients, and I work part-time for each of them from the comfort of my home office. This arrangement provides great flexibility in managing my tasks and my...
Posted by Chip Camden | February 8, 2008, 2:08 PM PST | Latest comment by LLL3
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Should you charge the same rates to all clients?
Do you have "One Rate to rule them all", or do you vary your rates by client? There are a number of good reasons to bill at different rates: The kind of work you do for each client...
Posted by Chip Camden | February 1, 2008, 4:01 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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How to get paid on time
If all of your clients always pay your consulting fee in a timely fashion, consider yourself blessed. Who among us that has been consulting for any length of time has not had at least...
Posted by Chip Camden | January 25, 2008, 4:04 PM PST | Latest comment by formerly CallPete.com
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Consultant referral services compared
We last left our hero pondering a question about consulting challenges. Out of the 202 of you who responded as of this writing, 50% answered "finding new business". Interestingly,...
Posted by Chip Camden | January 18, 2008, 3:28 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Two ways to envision a project in order to select the correct resolution techniques
Every few months someone comes to me and asks for help with the same problem. They don't know it's the same problem. In fact, it manifests differently each and every time. Fortunately a wise...
Posted by Shannon Kalvar | January 13, 2008, 5:40 PM PST | Latest comment by Jaqui
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What are your biggest consulting challenges?
On this blog I share my experiences, observations, and lessons learned as an independent consultant -- interspersed with questions for my readers. Even though I've been consulting...
Posted by Chip Camden | January 11, 2008, 12:05 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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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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Six resolutions for a new year of consulting
It's hard to believe that I'm about to kiss 2007 goodbye when it seems like we barely got to know each other. With 2008 right around the corner, it's time to make some...
Posted by Chip Camden | December 27, 2007, 11:45 AM PST | 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Huddle: a worthy SharePoint alternative for client collaboration
SharePoint is the go-to collaboration suite for most professional services firms. Find out why the SaaS-based Huddle might be a more expedient and user-friendly client extranet option.
Posted by Will Kelly | May 16, 2013, 12:40 PM PDT | Latest comment by Julia_WR
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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
