Discussion on:

10 things you should know about launching an IT consultancy

If I was to summarize my 7 week course on designing your small business this would be it (With a few changes related to US/Canadian law.).

Well done!

One point I think needs to be emphasised ... Keep it simple! You don't need a lot of documentation. After all there's just you doing it at first. But you do need to document everything. Use a data flow diagram (aka a process chart). Use whatever workflow modelling technique you want.

Bluntly, if you haven't got it internalized enough to be able to describe it in 60 seconds, you don't understand it enough to do it. That applies to each of your systems ... Marketing, Ordering, Delivery, Accounting, STRATEGY. And yes, strategy is a system.

Secondly, you need to be complete ... all parts need to be covered including things you won't initially think of (What about payroll --- or are your going to work for free?).

Third .... be prepared to put on different hats ... that is think from the point of view of different roles, including your customer. Many entrepreneurs see only the role they want to do ... sales, technical, whatever ... and forget that a balanced company needs multiple roles.

Fourth ... check your risks. You may find yourself having to rethink your business in order to overcome or avoid a situation you didn't expect (e.g. niche buying).

Glen Ford
http://www.TrainingNOW.ca

I cannot say anything but great article...

Thanks for the great article. I especially liked your tip on using other experts. I think one of the best gifts we can give ourselves and our clients, is a network of experts. I don't see how anyone can truly handle it all anymore -- there's just too much to know.

must have clicked the wrong thing, sorry.