Hi, I hope this is an appropriate posting. This is my first time. I am an independent consultant, working in the areas of IT and organizational management. I have about 7 years of experience as a consultant, and an additional 7 years within a government agency and nonprofit organizations–in both management and IT. My current client focus is nonprofit organizations. I met with a new client today, a CEO of an organization. The project involves either customizing his current or getting him a more appropriate contacts management. *However*, the client today also mentioned he needs help integrating one of his complex projects with Covey software. And decided that should be my priority. I have not worked with this software, though am familiar with the Covey time-management philosophy and “system.” I took a look at the Covey software, and it’s not complicated. The majority of work I’ll do for/with the client is scoping out the project (which is currently completely disorganized), nailing down specific tasks, benchmarks, timelines, outcomes, staffing, delegation, etc. However–I will need to get up to speed on the Covey software once the project requirements are fleshed out. The client, who has not worked with many consultants, suggested that maybe I get up to speed on the Covey software on my own time, since I may use this experience in the future with other clients (highly unlikely). I’m inclined to see the getting up to speed with the software as akin to getting up to speed with the operations of the organization, helping him scope out his project, and defining requirements. What do you-all think? Should playing with the software–with his needs in mind–be charged? at the same rate as usual? at a lower rate? Also, I suggested we might seek out an expert in the COvey software, but he is skeptical that would be a good use of time. Thanks so much for any feedback!!
but suggested that maybe I