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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely for beginners, August 9, 2001
This review is from: Consulting for Dummies (Paperback)
Consulting for Dummies follows the Dummies formula - broad but not deep. I bought this book without really checking it out, and it ended up not containing the information I was interested in (financial and legal aspects of running a consulting business) What this book does have is good information on ethics, pricing, marketing yourself, and writing a brochure to describe what you do. If you're completely new to running your own business or consulting (maybe on the side), this would be a great book to pick up.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Guide for Beginners, December 9, 2000
This review is from: Consulting for Dummies (Paperback)
Consulting for Dummies by Bob Nelson and Peter Economy International Data Group Books Worldwide, Inc. 1997 Consulting for Dummies is a practical guide for anyone considering the field of consulting for either part time or full time employment. The book is written in a clear, understandable format and is interspersed with interviews with actual consultants to give a first hand view of what goes on in the life of a consultant. A wide range of consulting experiences is addressed - from individuals who operate alone, to larger consulting firms. The book is divided into five main parts, each one prefaced by a 5th Wave cartoon. Part One is: "What's a Consultant". This section not only defines what a consultant is, but has the reader analyze his/her own situation by way of quizzes, assessments and considerations as to whether or not consulting would be an appropriate field to venture into. After going through this section, the reader will know if s/he has what it takes or even still wants to be a consultant. Part Two, "The Consulting Process", addresses the basic steps that are involved when taking on a consulting project - from writing proposals, collecting and analyzing data, and developing, presenting and implementing recommendations. The authors go through these areas in a practical, applicable format while at the same time reminding the reader to really develop the relationships with clients in order to best meet their needs. While the first two parts of the book go over basic considerations, the third section, "Key Consulting Skills", delves into some underlying abilities and personal practices that affect the consultant and his/her effectiveness. Personal image, ethics, organization and communication skills are some of the areas touched on. Again, the advice given is practical and specific. Parts Four and Five, "Setting Up Your Business" and "Marketing Your Business" get into the promotion of, bookkeeping tips and other business aspects of a consultant's career. And finally, Part Six: "The Part of Tens", is composed of tips involving online services and activities that can be of help and several annotated lists of ten pieces of advice concerning common mistakes in consulting, writing winning proposals, and building and marketing your business. I would recommend Consulting for Dummies as a good primer for anyone considering consulting as a career. It is the type of book that can be used as a handy reference throughout the initial years of setting up a consulting practice.
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39 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Consulting for Dummies review, April 12, 2000
This review is from: Consulting for Dummies (Paperback)
I read "Consulting for Dummies", by Bob Nelson and Peter Economy, cc1997 Book Worldwide, Inc. This is definitely an introduction to consulting book. I found that it was easy to read, as well as enjoyable. I would like to cover the authors' credentials, the book itself, and what I found most valuable about the book. To begin with, Bob Nelson of Nelson Motivation, Inc. has published 17 different business and management books. He has a master's degree in business administration and has been in the forefront of the media, regarding business and marketing. His co-author Peter Economy is currently a freelance business writer and a business consultant. He has published two other books, including, "Managing for Dummies", and has published other written articles as well. He has over 15 years of management experience and is currently pursing his MBA. Together these tow authors create a book that can be read and comprehended by anyone. If you're planning to enter the consulting arena I would recommend this be the first book you acquire. The book begins by seeing if an individual is cut out to be a consultant. Once it is decided that being a consultant is for you, then you can move on to anyone of the books 28 chapters. The highlights include the following. Why consult, what consultants do, choosing the right route and making the transition to consulting are what comprise the first section of the book. These items are very useful in showing the reader the path to success. This first part will find out what you are good at, and how to expound upon that. The second phase of the book walks you through the consulting process. This includes defining the problem, what kinds of data are available and what to do with it. It also covers problem solving and developing and making recommendations. This is the heart of the book! The authors do a fantastic job of laying out the material and breaking it down in layman terms. Part three of the book is what I would call the lungs of the book, not as important as the heart, but still vitally to overall success. This part includes things like image, communication, how to do successful reports and how to make technology work to your benefit. This will help guide you once you have the basics. Once you have read, and reread the first three parts, then you can move on to setting up and marketing your consulting business. These two areas are covered quite extensively. This is where you will learn how to generate and sustain business, set up your fees and build your business, also this part will show you how to negotiate a contract as well. The last part of the book is called the "part of tens". This is several chapters with ten ideas in each, for example, ten tips for negotiating a great contract, or the ten biggest mistakes a consultant can make. While all of these book was worth reading several ideas were the most important for my needs. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter on whether or not to have a home based office or not. It was something I had considered but I didn't see the cons before reading this chapter. While I am still planning to work at home, I am aware of some pitfalls to avoid. I also enjoyed the chapter on tracking time and money. The book even gave me an activity log that I plan to incorporate into my daily practice. I enjoyed the set up of this book. While this may seem a minute point, to me it is not. The layout, with the table of contents helped me find everything I needed without a lot of wasted time. I also loved the fact that the authors used several different icons to denote things that were extra important, or pitfalls to avoid. This book, written by very knowledgeable authors contains quite a bit of information. I pointed out some parts that were helpful for me. While everyone's' needs of this book maybe be different, I firmly believe everyone needs this book.
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