Do you ever feel like your skills and talents are going to waste? It might be because you haven't found your niche within the IT consulting market. Contributing writer Edwin Smith explains how it's done.

For most consultants, our first instinct will tell us if we're about to make an unethical decision. But what if you're in a situation where the choice isn't so cut-and-dried? Follow these rules to determine whether or not you're doing the right thing.

You might think the Lone Ranger is the last folk hero who could teach you how to do business. But the masked man can guide your conduct in your dealings with clients and keep you on the right side of ethical behavior.

When you've finished a technology implementation for a client, make sure the client's staff understands how to use it. Read why familiarization training is necessary for your clients, and some reasons why you should offer it.

When it comes time to respond to a request for proposal, you'll want to be ready. These tips will help you through every step of the process.

If you're worried about viruses and DoS attacks to your clients' systems, check out the SANS Institute's list of the most critical Internet security threats to the enterprise.

If you're thinking about taking the plunge and becoming an independent consultant, it helps to know what kinds of obstacles and rewards await you. This rundown of some of the ups and downs of self-employment will prepare you for what lies ahead.