Customer Reviews

Consulting For Dummies

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Make no mistake: "Dummies" books are strictly for beginners, and "Consulting for Dummies" is no different. Despite their elementary approach to subject matter, the series is a wonderful introduction to many topics, including the wide world of consulting. Start here for an overview, and move on to bigger and better books after you understand the basics.

Great as a checklist to get started without missing a thing and as a reference for the first year of operation. Useful even if you are not american. Good reminder of the compliance issues, the bussiness issues and the personal questions you must ask yourself before entering consulting bussiness.

As the founder and owner of two small businesses, I have to say that this book has helped me tremendously. It addresses all the issues we consultants, freelancers, and small-product manufacturers have to deal with on a daily basis without resorting to lofty, B-school philosophies that sound good on paper but fail to generate results in the real world of working businesspeople. Kudos to Economy and Nelson for updating their book and listening to their reviewers! I'll be sure to purchase the updated edition as well!

While this book is great for those wishing to break out on their own and start their own business, it's also tough for young professional consultants to know how to get their foot in the door of big firms and then subsequently take the right steps in order to succeed. Thankfully, there is now a book to do that, Launch Your Consulting Career, which includes how to find the right firm for you, how to prepare an application package that will be read by the right people, how to prepare for interviews, and how to consider your offers. You will also get insight into the 5 key areas that you need in order to out-perform your peers as soon you get hired, including building a network, finding mentors, and proving your skills to your new team members and managers. A sample resume and cover letter are included as well as specific check-lists on how to prepare your resume for advanced readers and how to prepare for your first days on a new project site. Check out that book here: Launch Your Consulting Career

Although this is a good book as an overview for starting and running a consulting business, it's a bit traditional, and lacks valuable, up-to-date, low-cost resources that 21st-century business owners shouldn't be without.

For example:
--phone service (how to get your own phone number and unlimited long distance for $60/year)
--web hosting and design (yes, it IS possible to have a professional website for under $100)
--e-mail marketing
--inexpensive, qualified outsourcing
--project management software
--automated data backup
--graphic design
--remote connectivity so you don't have to travel

Another issue I've found with consulting books in general, is that the info provided is very general, and people who aspire to become a consultant may feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. To address those problems, I've starting blogging about my experience consulting, and specific tips, tricks, and tools to start a consulting business. Take a look:[...]

This book gives very little useful information. Almost any other book I have seen surpasses it. I have not used a single idea from this - and used many from other books.