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IT Consultant
Mary Weilage
TechRepublic Staff
Mary Weilage
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Use wizards to make quick work of client Small Business Server issues
If you think Microsoft's integrated wizards in Small Business Server are merely dumb-downed macros, you might be overlooking how much they can do.
Posted by Erik Eckel | March 21, 2012, 3:25 AM PDT | Latest comment by XoomXoom
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How to reuse a Microsoft Project 2010 schedule
By reusing schedules for similar projects, you have a better chance of avoiding some of the missteps from the previous project.
Posted by Andrew Makar | March 20, 2012, 8:56 AM PDT
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Priority zero projects, or how family tech crises trump client projects
Chip Camden describes halting work on a client project to fix his daughter's PC, which was infected by a Trojan. Let us know how you handle priority zero projects.
Posted by Chip Camden | March 20, 2012, 5:34 AM PDT | Latest comment by apotheon
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A recommended reading list for IT consultants
Here is Erik Eckel's short list of books that he believes best serve technology consultants.
Posted by Erik Eckel | March 16, 2012, 1:24 PM PDT | Latest comment by Greg Miliates
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Four elements of measuring program success
Rick Freedman explores a program measurement theory that consists of measuring success in terms of delivery, organizational, marketing, and innovation capabilities.
Posted by Rick Freedman | March 14, 2012, 8:23 AM PDT | Latest comment by blarman
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How to market your IT consultancy
Google's listings, a company blog, client recommendations, and more are all good ways to market an IT service company.
Posted by Chip Camden | March 12, 2012, 11:41 PM PDT | Latest comment by jtcinasp
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The mistake that nearly killed my consulting career (and how to star in a Vegas show)
A TechRepublic member recounts how shifting his skill set when he transitioned to becoming a consultant allows him to earn more and work less.
Posted by Greg Miliates | March 9, 2012, 5:53 PM PST | Latest comment by PaulCFry
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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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How to move your consulting business to the next level
Chip Camden offers advice to an IT consultant who can't land project management jobs because he doesn't have experience in that field.
Posted by Chip Camden | March 7, 2012, 1:50 PM PST | Latest comment by PMPsicle
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Resource leveling with Microsoft Project 2010's Team Planner view
In Microsoft Project 2010's Team Planner view, you can identify resource overallocations, adjust dates, and reassign work.
Posted by Andrew Makar | March 5, 2012, 11:30 AM PST
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A little generosity in your billing builds client trust
Even the best clients expect you to underbill a little, or at least be judicious in your invoices. Here are four tips Ken Hardin finds useful in massaging his monthly billings.
Posted by Ken Hardin | March 1, 2012, 1:25 PM PST
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Keep it real, for your sanity and for your business
Chip Camden asserts that you don't need to be perfect to build trust with clients, but you should be genuine with them.
Posted by Chip Camden | March 1, 2012, 7:42 AM PST | Latest comment by bako23
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Resource leveling by hand using Microsoft Project 2010
Resource leveling by hand takes longer than using the rule-based engine in Microsoft Project 2010, but Andrew Makar believes it produces a better schedule.
Posted by Andrew Makar | February 29, 2012, 7:37 AM PST
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The keys to crafting a successful retainer contract
Retainers give you stability, but remember that clients want flexibility. Ken Hardin offers pointers for the retainer contract development stage.
Posted by Ken Hardin | February 23, 2012, 7:44 AM PST | Latest comment by thinkincap
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Incorporate the achievement pyramid in your project decisions
The achievement pyramid is a method for grasping the totality of meaning associated with your project efforts. Learn tips on using this information in your decision making process.
Posted by Rick Freedman | February 21, 2012, 4:10 PM PST
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Steps to becoming an IT consultant
Chip Camden, who has 20+ years of IT consulting experience under his belt, believes there's really only one requirement for becoming a consultant.
Posted by Chip Camden | February 21, 2012, 9:45 AM PST | Latest comment by sandeepseeram
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Deployment documentation best practices for consultants
Don't deploy a new firewall, VPN, server, SAN, wireless network, or other systems without properly documenting the installation.
Posted by Erik Eckel | February 16, 2012, 3:16 PM PST | Latest comment by Erik Eckel
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How to use Microsoft Project 2010's rule-based resource leveling
Learn how to set up your project schedule to use a manual rule-based resource leveling technique in Microsoft Project 2010 that minimizes resource leveling headaches.
Posted by Andrew Makar | February 16, 2012, 10:18 AM PST
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My fountain moment, or why persistence pays off for consultants
Chip Camden recounts when he realized he was making it as a consultant, and offers encouragement to consultants who might be feeling self-doubt like he did.
Posted by Chip Camden | February 13, 2012, 1:40 PM PST | Latest comment by Sterling "chip" Camden
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Deciding which laptop your IT consultancy should sell
Erik Eckel advises IT consultancies that are considering selling laptops to maintain relationships with several vendors.
Posted by Erik Eckel | February 11, 2012, 11:29 PM PST | Latest comment by ITonStandby
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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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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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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
