Recommendations of consultant books and software
for engineers and students.
Every technical consultant and engineer in private practice needs ethics
and business references in his/her library.
Why does every consultant and engineer need such resources?
Because conducting a profitable practice depends as much upon business and
personal interaction skills even more than it does upon technical acuity. The
consultant and engineer in private practice must sell the services he/she is paid to provide.
Ethical prudence and effective client relations increase word-of-mouth goodwill;
and, thereby reduce the unbillable hours of sales and marketing expense.
The books listed here provide a spectrum of knowledge and
resources for the technical consultant and engineer to improve management skills and
knowledge. For new consultants, these books are a must.
For established consultants, some of these books will round out a handy resource
collection.
Hope these resources give you as much as they've given
me.
Regards,
Howard L. Schriefer, PE
The Contract and Fee-Setting Guide for Consultants and Professionals
Expert advice on how to strike a fair deal and command a fair price… The
Contract and Fee-Setting Guide for Consultants & Professionals No
matter how knowledgeable you are in your field….No matter how great your
track record….No matter how expert your advice or impressive your
credentials … you jeopardize your client base if you do not instill
every phase of your practice with a consummate professionalism. And for
sharp clients, the first clear signs of such a savvy professionalism are
the ability to set fees at a fair market price and offer neat,
straightforward contracts with clearly delineated terms. This book teaches
you, in a few days, what it traditionally took people half a lifetime to
learn through trial and error. In writing it, the author drew on his more
than twenty years as a business consultant, lecturer, and author to offer
you tips on how to ask for and get the fees you deserve and to establish
contract terms that are in the best interests of you and your clients.
Throughout he shares his insider’s expertise on:
Determining market value for your services
Establishing per diem or per-project rates and calculating overhead
Advantages and disadvantages of various systems of fee-setting and
billing
Six major goals of every contract
Negotiating the contract and avoiding legal pitfalls
How to Succeed as an Independent Consultant, 3rd Edition The world of consulting is constantly
changing in response to shifting economic realities and new technologies. In
this new edition of the classic guide How to Succeed as an Independent
Consultant, expert David Zahn updates Herman Holtz’s sage advice to fit
the new business landscape and take account of developments affecting the
business.
No matter what your field of expertise, How to Succeed as an Independent
Consultant will help you win clients through a variety of practical, proven
techniques you’ll find only here. Packed with real-world, effective
business-driving tactics--as well as up-to-the-minute advice on getting the
most out of new technologies--this helpful guide will show you how to market
yourself in new ways, soar over IRS hurdles, and grow your home-office
operation into a thriving practice. Information added to this edition also
addresses the special concerns of internal consultants--those professionals
who work in-house, but provide the same service and expertise as outside
consultants.
With helpful details and step-by-step advice, How to Succeed as an
Independent Consultant will show you how to:
Launch your consulting career--from finding assignments to leveraging
your skills
Use three simple rules to succeed spectacularly at your first client
meeting
Prepare for any sales situation and avoid common pitfalls when
delivering your pitch
Manage your finances, including insurance and taxes, so you can keep
your business above-board and in the black
Understand the latest ideas in marketing--and how to use the Internet,
e-mail, and other technologies to attract more clients
Write an air-tight proposal
Affordably produce your own press releases, brochures, and other sales
and promotional materials
Get the best deal possible when you negotiate fees and contracts
Maintain the highest ethical standards for every project
Independent consulting is more popular than ever and competition is
fierce. How to Succeed as an Independent Consultant gives you a head start
and a lasting edge with fully actionable advice you’ll find in no other
book. Updated with the help of readers just like you, this new edition is
more useful, helpful, and comprehensive than ever
