Getting Started in Consulting

I’ve done consulting for more than 15 years, and whenever I meet someone who wants to get into consulting I buy them this book.Seriously, I’ve probably bought 20 of these over the years.

Oh my! I received "Getting Started In Consulting" the week between Christmas & New Year & I devoured it in a few short days! It is packed with insights, tips, advise - just what I was looking for. I started my consulting biz about 6 months ago w/ client in hand. My New Year's resolution is to get my company organized & focussed - being deliberate in pursuing new business - and really doing this consulting gig "right." I found the perfect book! I couldn't put it down. A friend is considering starting her own consulting biz - I said she'll have to get her own copy because mine will be used as a reference for many months to come. It is well worth the small investment. There are few points that are not exactly rocket-science and the reality is, if the ENTIRE CONTENT of this book is new information for you - then you don't need to be in the consulting business in the first place. However, there is enough new material, enough good pointers and techniques that I say "don't throw out the baby with the bath-water." You will be doing yourself a favor by reading it all the way through and implementing some of the tactices he employs. Some of the ideas he mentioned are things I was already considering - but he gave validations to my ideas. This book will help with clarity on marketing, positioning, and growing your business. Of course, if you choose not to read it - that's fine too - more clients for me! Here's to a prosperous New Year!

This book is focused on business consulting and I'm beginning to enter the field of college consulting, so that may have colored my views slightly. Great general overview.for anyone entering any area of the consulting business - though entire chapters may not apply to you. Some of the advice on what type of office equipment to purchase I think it would have been best to leave out, but hey, its his book. I think his advice in terms of closing a deal by aggressively and single-mindedly pursuing the buyer seems strange, since he's obviously an expert in business yet I feel this advice off. As someone in my organization who was in charge of purchasing a great deal, it was my responsibility to search, question, and make 90% of the decision to purchase. But for expensive items (like consulting services), its the most normal thing in the world to have to include others in the final decision. The type of tactics he recommends, going over my head, would only make it more annoying for me since it would end up back in my lap anyway. Since he's obviously so well known and successful, I would say its a bit easier for him to give such advice. Though its also possible my situation was more unique in terms of trust and his advice holds for the most part.Still, i did get some great ideas and for $11 definitely a worthwhile (easy) read for those starting in the business. The advice on pricing your services and writing proposals (though I already had a bit of experience) worth the price of the book. I felt it reinforced the path I was already taking and made me postpone launch for another couple of months until my house is fully in order. It also inspired me to purchase his other book Million Dollar Consulting which I plan to start reading today. Please forgive the grammar errors its 5am and I'm just finishing my first cup of coffee...

I purchased this book in 2012, when I also joined the author's online community. Over the years, I've been able to observe the results other consultants have had following the author's advice. But I'll limit my review to this book.1. The book is an easy read and gives you a solid overview of what it takes to start a basic consulting business. The keyword here is "start." It'll show you how to turn on the ignition and get into Drive, but to go beyond that requires additional skills.2. This book is a lead generator for the author's own business. He's in the business of selling mentoring programs, products, and events to other consultants. He readily admits this and even cites it as evidence that his marketing advice works.3. This book is about marketing, not so much the act of consulting. If you've already got clients and just want to become a better consultant, this won't be of much help.4. The marketing process laid out in this book is time-consuming and requires you to play the long game. It's not for those looking to land some lucrative consulting gigs quickly, unless you've already got an established brand.5. The author absolutely expects you to strictly adhere to his 9-step proposal process, which requires developing trusting relationships with C-suite executives prior to even writing a consulting proposal.

Having had this book recommended to me by several independent consultants, I was excited to get my hands on my own copy. Alan Weiss provides copious amounts of very practical information for starting or growing your consulting business while candidly addressing the less than glamorous aspects of the field (e.g., when to question whether this is truly the field for you).As with his other books, this title is a marketing tool for the author, therefore anticipate Mr. Weiss "selling" his skills and products every chance he gets. That said, the information is presented in an illustrative rather than boastful manner, giving the reader a clear idea of the concept being discussed. Having read many books of this nature (i.e., written by independent consultants or those who work for large consulting firms), I was appreciative of the examples provided and experienced this "selling" as much less obnoxious and desperate than what I have seen in others.Overall an excellent resource for anyone interested in consulting. The author includes wonderfully helpful "start-up" lists to put the necessary investment (material & time-wise) into perspective when starting your own consulting business.

Este producto me resulto muy práctico y es muy útil en mi negocio, es recomendable para aquellos que buscan iniciar en la consultoría

Excellent pour commencer le consulting. J'ai tellement appris. Heureusement que je l'ai lu avant de me lancer. Il explique notamment pourquoi ne pas facturer à l'heure

This is a well written book, easy to read with lots of useful information. It has given me lots of really good tips when choosing whether to set up as a sole trader or incorporating, when hiring an accountant, deciding on equipment and how to start going,... If I had to find something to criticise it would be the assumption that one goes into consultancy for the big money and the comments that if you are not doing certain things it means your heart is not in it. But even that is not a major downside since Alan Weiss in fact gives good advice on how to protect your time with your family and not to get sucked into working all hours.I would ceratinly recommend this book.

Highly readable intro to getting started, beginning with the hard practicalities of funding yourself, setting up workspace, etc. This edition now a little dated, and written for a North American audience, nonetheless very strong on marketing, relationships, scoping, pricing and growing your consulting business. Full of great advice.

I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover during a trip but I couldn't stop reading it until I completely finished it. It is inspiring and joy-able. It is not only about consulting but it also works for management and leadership. Also if you are planning to have your own business one day, go for that one.I strongly recommend it.