Customer Reviews

Million Dollar Consulting (TM) Toolkit: Step-By-Step Guidance, Checklists, Templates and Samples from "The Million Dollar Consultant"

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book gives some very good guidance , especially regarding insurance required for consultants, writing proposals and follow up.
If you plan to make a living by writing and giving speeches, then this book is also for you. If you are maybe in IT or Logistics and need help to e.g. write client proposals or follow up with clients, this book offers excellent advice.
However, if you are expecting this book to cover all the basics you need to know to start or grow your business, it falls short of its title. This book is definitely not a tool kit. Examples:
a) The equipment checklist is technically outdated. Apart from the fact that we are in the age of CD & DVD burners, the biggest oversight is the lack of mentioning the need for data backup facilities.
b) The section on finances is very 'thin' and only gives very top level information. You are much better off buying a separate book on this subject such as 'Self-Employed Tax Solutions' by June Walker.
c) The section on forms also covers a bare minimum. The expense form example on page 96 does e.g. not include a column for phone charges.

As examples for various forms, websites etc. Alan Weiss constantly refers to himself rather than making up some alternative examples. You can either see that as giving a successful example or pure self promotion.
Overall a useful book as long as you take some of this recommendations with a grain of salt. A title such as 'Writing Successful Client Proposals' would be more appropriate though.

I think this book the Million Dollar Consulting Toolkit may get passed over by some of you because of its simple nature, but I can assure you that anyone that gets this book and applies the methodologies inside will be years ahead and stand head and shoulders above your competitors.

Want to know how to write a book? It is inside. Want to know how to write an article quickly? It is here. (BTW, I still use Alan's article writing system three times a week - so I know how valuable it is and I also used his book writing methodology). Want to know how to invest? It is here. Want to put together a "Alan Weiss Razor Sharp" presentation? It's here.

I could on and on, the bottomline is this is the foundation of everything I have ever heard Alan say during our mentoring sessions, teach during his presentations or write. I cannot imagine a more impactful book for anyone.

But again I think it may get overlooked, that is all the better for us smart enough to pick it up.

I give this a 5 out of 5 stars.

Geoff

This book is an excellent resource for consultants who are new to the field. Today, I have landed my first client using Alan Weiss' practical tips for success. I find the sample templates for proposals a great value as I learn what works best for me and what doesn't. I plan to use this book as a reference guide as I continue to grow my practice. I'd encourage you to purchase this book and use it to its full capability. Use this book along with others to build your library of useful resources. Great book!

Thanks Alan!

This is Alan Weiss's companion book to "Million Dollar Consulting", which is the best book on consulting I have ever read. This newer book, published in 2006, about four years after "Million Dollar Consulting", provides the reader with helpful checklists, templates, and samples that are customized for the consulting industry.

Before I started reading this book, it seemed to me that the author would be stating the obvious by providing me with information that I, as a consulting veteran, had already had learned or developed myself. But I found myself reading every chapter and making mental notes on how I could improve my business.

I disagree with Weiss's assertion on page 134 that it is a waste of time for consultants to self-publish their own books. I am the author and self-publisher of three books, and I have gained prestige, recognition, and money as a result. Despite this, I still admire Weiss's work, and continue to refer to his writings for guidance.

Here is my suggestion for aspiring consultants: 1) read "Million Dollar Consulting" by Alan Weiss, 2) read "How to Acquire Clients" (also by Alan Weiss), and 3) read this book. The combination is a recipe for success for anyone in the consulting business.

Mitch Paioff, Author, Getting Started as an Independent Computer Consultant

Getting Started as an Independent Computer Consultant

I'd strongly suggest that anyone at all who is working as an independent consultant, whether they are just starting out or have been in business for a long time, obtain a copy of this book, along with Weiss' other related books, "Getting Started in Consulting" and "Million Dollar Consulting."

Don't be fooled by the title, this book isn't about how to make a lot of money as a consultant as much as it is about being an effective and sought-after consultant. It's about how you can add a lot of value and be great at what you do.

This book contains a lot in the way of useful checklists and templates that naturally go along with the higher-level information presented in the other books. Alan Weiss is an extremely successful consultant who has transcended the typical realm of consulting by becoming a renowned author, speaker, and mentor to other successful consultants.

Reviewers who nitpick some detail of what is not in this book are missing out on what IS included, specifically well-focused and immediately useful content you will not find elsewhere.

The Million Dollar Consulting Toolkit will save any consultant a lot of time. Using the examples and templates in this book, anyone can produce flawless proposals and implement marketing plans with consummate ease. The section titled "101 Questions for Any Sales Situation" alone makes this book worth buying. This book provides all the details, which are missing in so many other books on consulting.

Alan again proves that he can put more info in 200 pages than any other business adviser. Buy it, read it, keep it nearby to refer to it.

BTW, Alan's most valuable book is "How to Write A Proposal That's Accepted Every Time." A close second is "Value Based Fees."

This is a good book for anyone considering starting a home-based consultancy. I have been cosluting for many years, the last ten or so from a home office. This is not an easy transition and I found the toolkit helpful in many ways.It would have been extremely useful had I had it when I started out many years ago. Useful when I made the change to a home office and I found it still full of useful things after 35 years in the business.For the consultant that operates alone this book should be on the reference shelf.(after it has been read of course!)
Murray Harvey

Awesome work Alan. I have read all of your books and thanks to your knowledge and expertise, my consulting business is now a million dollar business. Gloria Starr

This book is so full of value! As a home based small business consultant, I learned quite a bit from Mr. Weiss' other book, but would recommend this even more! The lessons of the original book are still there, but the checklists and templates are what really impressed me. From setting up your office to how to write, present and close a proposal, this book will help consultants at any level.