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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on Achieving success as an IT consultant ]]></title>
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        <title><![CDATA[That's a huge question]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3527713]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Maybe these will help:http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/project-management/my-early-years-in-it-consulting-what-i-did-and-didnt-do-well/873http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/project-management/so-you-want-to-be-a-consultant/125]]></description>
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        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:44:52 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Wow...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3527202]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I am a web application developerHow do you start your IT consultant career...What do you need to know?]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3527202]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[aohouo@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:09:01 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[You're very welcome]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525811]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... and thanks for your kind words.  If you have any topics you'd like for me to address here, please feel free to shoot me an email (sterling at camdensoftware dot com, or use the &quot;Contact&quot; link on the bio at the end of an article).]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525811]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:49:12 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Agreed]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525795]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[My preference would be to go the route you're talking about too.  I feel like it'd be nice to get along with everybody if possible.  It's not a cutthroat atmosphere in the area where I do business so I think I might be able to accomlish things without bloodshed.  I don't really think I would be doing that I'm doing if it was required - I'm not the cutthroat type and would'nt want to become one.  Anyway, your articles are invaluable to me and it is striking just how often they directly relate to what's on my mind or my situation.  And it provokes thought that I might not have considered before so I learn new things too.  Thanks very much Chip!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525795]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[viProCon]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:08:48 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Often it's because they want to see IT as a commodity]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525175]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... with a predictable cost cycle and no unexpected problems.  For good or ill, IT changes much too quickly for that to ever materialize.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525175]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:34:40 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Your competition]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525193]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[... are also your colleagues in the field.  I try to form relationships that focus on mutual support rather than cutting each other's throats.  With that in mind, a casual conversation at the local pub can be very enlightening.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3525193]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:30:00 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[This too shall pass]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524789]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[All things come to an end eventually.  The key is to enjoy what you have now, rather than always striving for what you hope will come next.  Of course, that has to be balanced with providing for the future.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524789]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:44:23 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[An interesting psychology study...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524779]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[...would by why so many people don't value I.T. services, even when their business depends on I.T.A long time ago, I tried to change their minds.  Now, I just avoid them, and look for those few who are as Chip described in another post.How I do that....pricing...agreements....payments up front....etc.  And most importantly, SAY NO.I can go broke just fine doing absolutely nothing.  I don't have to work to do that.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524779]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[tbmay]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:31:56 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[A lot more discussion]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524680]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[You're right, it could.  But I suspect this topic wouldn't have any real conclusion because I think it really depends on each client and their unique situation.  Of course there's an underlying mindset that most clients have, a sort of comon thinking amongst most or all of them, that if understood one could probably work with to gain the best results.  For example, if you have those types of clients that hide their head in the sand and never want to change, never want to upgrade past their trusty MS Office 2000 so to speak, then introducing change often does not go well.  But clients that realize and have accepted that technology is what enables them to operate, and thus maintaining (and even growing with) it should be a top priority then that is ideal.Anyway, just a thought but perhaps you might consider an article that talks a little about how to check out the competition.  I don't mean to suggest writing about how to perform espionage, but as a small business consultant, one thing I wonder often is what my competition is doing but I can't just walk in their front door and ask about all their rates.  Or can I? ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524680]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[viProCon]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:17:52 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Great read for weekend fathers]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524634]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Chip you nailed it by mentioning ''find that balance'' &amp; ''personal life suffers''....4 out of 5 people I know work the week away from their family returning only weekends......most have young families, infants. I wonder if all that money can buy their child's hood days..., I wonder if they feel all this will end one day.....I wonder!!!!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524634]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[ranandg]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:36:51 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Thanks, IT--&amp;gt;PM]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524441]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I'll second your assessment of the discussion.  I learn a lot about this business from interacting with TechRepublic readers in this space.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524441]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:25:31 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Most people are conflict-averse]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524431]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Geeks especially so, I think.  That's why we hid in a corner with our puzzles, gadgets, and weird hobbies instead of hanging out with our contemporaries when we were younger.  To some degree, our work can be like those activities, but we still have to eat.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524431]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:23:37 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Thanks for your kind words, jennyn]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524426]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I do my best to keep it real.  My favorite Hemingway quote is about writing: &quot;write the truest sentence you know.&quot;  Not only does that produce something that gets to the heart of the matter, it forces me to be honest with myself -- which is not as natural for me as I'd like to believe, but yields personal dividends.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524426]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:17:55 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[That's a very good question]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524408]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[In my own business, it's a mix.  I tend to bump the ones I started too low every year, while the higher-paying clients keep their initial rate for several years.  It would be ideal if your contract included a provision for regular rate increases, but I've never managed that one.  This topic could bear a lot more discussion.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524408]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:09:05 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Charging too little]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524335]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Interesting points.  What's your opinion on the incremental increase idea?  I'm only in the brainstorming process for this but had considered an annual marginal increase, like an annual inflation concept.  The increase ould be say, 3-5%.  This would of course mean that clients are constantly reminding of my increasing rates which is probably not good, yet the smart ones would see that it isn't as damaging to their budget as a very large single increase. Again, just brainstorming but does anybody have thoughts on this?  Better to do one increase and leave it be for a few years, or spread those increases out?  (or, give the client the choice, makin them feel in control?)]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524335]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[viProCon]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:02:56 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Yes, we're pretty much doomed ;)]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524198]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Sometimes it feels like we're all having a brainstorm on, on how to trip ourselves up on simple things - just so philosophers can have an easy time pointing out banalities that seem profound.I used to think the philosophers were snake oil salesmen, but when I realize how we stab ourselves on simple words, then twist ourselves around those blades again and again... well, yes, it still is banal, but the realization of it, for the ones killing themselves on an imaginary bayonet, is also profound.Profound just means &quot;from the deep&quot;... something simple can be deep, if submerged. Piece of junk can too.Reminds me of the conjurer's trick: He reaches up to our ear, grabs a rusty old bicycle frame out of th(in)ere, and says &quot;This is what's been causing those headaches. You should be more careful about what you eat!&quot; *canned laughter*]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524198]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[AnsuGisalas]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:51:10 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Great article, Chip]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524159]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I just forwarded to my wife and told her &quot;This is titled 'Achieving success as an IT consultant' but could also be titled 'Achieving success in Life.'&quot; It really is about being prepared for change, adapting to change, then finding balance. The change will come - in work, in relationships, in health, in finances. Adaptation is easier with preparation. Once past the change, if there is time before the next one, comes the time to reflect and balance. After reflection, I read the comments and told her to read those too - great feedback. One of the best discussions I've followed. Great insights into our field that I sometimes have difficulty explaining.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524159]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[IT-->PM]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:18:12 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[On Tough Customers]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524120]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have three medical offices in the same building.  One is just a small account, two computers so I do spot checks, easy, pays for gasoline.  Pays on time too.Second account: 15 years running, grown from a DOS Novell Server and 2 stations to a full Active Directory network, 24 stations and god knows how much weird software, managed well and pay on time.  They love me too.Third Account: dental office, server and 7 stations, a constant pain and I damn near walked out on them today.  This office has complained about every single invoice from Day 1, but today I managed the situation rather well - as upsetting as it is to me - and had a long conversation with the new owner.  OK, so we have a better understanding of what needs to be done now so hopefully their 2012 retainer will be a better fit.  I did truly heroic, customer sensitive work on Sunday with a damaged server and GX270 station performing data storage for their office right now.  The server will be done in about 2 weeks when new SCSI drives arrive.Besides, I have the office server in my living room as hostage. True.  So if they argue too much ... very much a stress issue for the day.Now, some clients seem to think we do our work BECAUSE WE LOVE IT SOOOOO MUCH.  That being paid, well, we don't really need that do we.No, I hate aspects of IT whenever I get a non-resolvable blue screen of death or some damn Microsoft error message.  I do it for the money, and the enjoyment of a job well done which is money well and truly earned.  I have fun with it most of the time, but I can feed squirrels for fun too.  I have a business and don't visit clients or work on systems for the fun of it.  I also do not, except in rare cases, have terms of net 30 as a rule.  I am more like that plumber or house repairman who does work, gives an invoice and gets paid relatively quickly if not on the spot.  I would like to see somebody walk out of cursed Geek Squad with a machine and a promise of Net 30 THANK YOU.  I am writing this in an admitted bad mood having just won the fight with the third client as above, but I dislike this aspect of our trade, that people somehow think that fixing a failed server with a dead SCSI drive is the same as Freecell.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524120]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[reisen55@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:43:30 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[thanks for always being so real...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524074]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Thanks for being so real, I appreciate it.  I'm not reading much tech related these days as I'm in the process of pulling back on tech work and reassessing where I've come and where I'm going.  You're articles draw me in because of the honesty that pervades them; the important questions always somewhere between the lines... what am i doing? why am i doing it? whatever it is, am i doing it well ... for myself, my clients, my family and the world around me?&quot;How much is enough&quot; is the ongoing question that should probably lead when (if) we plan our business... what is enough money? enough fun? enough sleep? (in my case not a question of too little sleep, but more like when have i done enough thinking about the day ahead, horizontally, to the radio, with my eyes closed...)anyways, keep up the good work!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524074]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jennyn]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:55:15 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Most consultants starting out charge too little]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524029]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[We fail to adequately appreciate our value, and we're afraid of price resistance.  You're not charging enough if you get no resistance, because nobody likes to part with their money even if they value what they're purchasing.  When you charge too little, clients tend to form an opinion about your value based on that figure.  I think what happened in my case is that when I bumped my rate, some of my clients thought I must have struck a mother lode of demand, and that they'd need to get as much of my time as they could while I was still available.  This wouldn't work in every situation -- for instance, where you have active, available competition.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-350674-3524029]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sterling "chip" Camden]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:09:22 -0800</pubDate>
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