How to Be a Successful Computer Consultant [Hardcover]

Alan R. Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1993

Designed for computer professionals who want to start, develop and expand their consulting business, the third edition of this guide includes new material on object-orientated technology; integrated software development tools; CASE; networking standards; and alternative architectures. The guide includes tips on 1. Why people use computer consultants: the background needed; how to find clients; and how much to charge. 2. How to choose services and products: what to specialize in, based on prior experience; selecting a business name; and determining a target market. 3. Where to turn for business know-how: managing capital outlay, cash flow and financial statements; setting fees; marketing a business; hiring outside help; and meeting tax requirements. 4. How to use publicity: ways to get it; writing for publications; and giving seminars that sell. 5. Ways to stay current in the field: business and computer books; useful periodicals; and professional organizations and user groups. 6. What the market will need in the 1990's: six hot topics and how to turn them into opportunities for success. 7. Managing future growth in a changing market.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Though plenty of working computer consultants would argue that you can't teach their trade in a book, author Alan Simon takes a stab at it. In this book the experienced consultant shares tales from the field and lessons he's learned, saving you the trouble of learning them the hard way.

That's not to say that this book represents a consultancy-in-a-box. Any business endeavor is going to involve trial, error, waste, and second thoughts. Simon's book merely increases the odds that successes will outnumber failures and that your new business won't die of honest mistakes in its critical early years. Furthermore, Simon does not (and cannot be expected to) impart any technical knowledge through these pages. If you're even thinking about becoming a consultant, it's assumed you have a high level of technical expertise.

The author opens with a discussion of the key questions that must be answered by any business plan: What will the business do, and why? He discusses several dozen consulting specialties--including four focused on the year 2000 problem--and the specific issues involved in running each. He then goes on to cover writing business plans, managing employees and subcontractors, and dealing with finances. (His coverage of "revenue spurts" and "dead times" rings particularly true.) He talks about such perennial challenges as figuring out what customers want and how to get more business without swamping yourself or sacrificing quality, all in a readable style. --David Wall --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

"An excellent introduction to the realities of starting and operating a computer consulting practice... "-Robert Fleming, Computing Reviews. "The book will steer you clear of many of the pitfalls awaiting you in your quest for profitable independence."-Alfred Poor, Pc Magazine. The computer consulting bestseller-now fully updated! Includes revealing interviews with successful consultants. How to Be A Successful Computer Consultant outlines the career survival skills and technological know-how you need to be a consultant/expert sought after by corporations. It outlines step-by-step proven strategies for delivering optimum results-and brings you up to speed on effective use of important technological environments (like the World Wide Web). This updated manual is so in-depth, it can serve both new computer consultants looking to build business and busy experts who will appreciate the book's value as a complete professional reference. It tells you how to: Stay current with technological advances; Manage projects from inside or outside the client site; Zero in on scenarios in which corporations use computer consultants; Assess client needs; Steer clear of trouble spots; Run an efficient business; Choose your target markets, and market yourself in them; Get what you're worth. PLUS, NEW material on: Assessing the effect and usefulness of new technologies; Industry-specific consulting-choosing your specialities and services; Scoping out the client's organization and corporate culture: how to fit into it: how to bring future business your way; Coping with difficult clients/client employees; Next steps in your career-including how to position yourself in new specialties and geographic areas. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 267 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill (Tx); 3rd edition (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070576173
• ISBN-13: 978-0070576179
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,234,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not help at all, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Be a Successful Computer Consultant (Paperback)

I can not imagine this book can have a 4th edition. It is full of empty words, not any practical help. I believe the author has very narrow computer consulting experience. Totally waste of money and time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not A Beginner's Book, June 23, 2000

By 

Steven A. Bell "Even Keel" (Kemp, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Be a Successful Computer Consultant (Paperback)

I am afraid that I must agree with the other reviewers. This book had the potential to be a decent reference, but the information is choppy...the "will be covered in a later chapter" stuff will drive you crazy trying to track down all you need to accomplish simple tasks. There are better books out there.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There are better ways to spend your money, June 10, 2001

By 

Christo "montxsuz" (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Be a Successful Computer Consultant (Paperback)

Go to the movies, or read on of the following (in this order): Peter Meyer (Getting started in computer consulting) Rick Freedman (The computer consultant) Gerald M Weinberg (The secrets of consulting) Enough said.