Starting up on your own: How to succeed as an independent consultant or freelance [Paperback]

Mike Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0273731173 | ISBN-13: 978-0273731177 | Edition: 1

I wish this book had been available when I began my independent career. There's only one word for it PRICELESS!!! -Shay McConnon, psychologist, trainer, coach, magician and mentor Grounded in common-sense and humour and very clear about what can send you off track. - Norman Walker, former global head of Human Resources for Novartis, now an independent senior executive coach and consultant on leadership "AMUST read, for anyone thinking about life outside the organisation - Goran Hultin former Deputy Director General at the ILO (International Labour Office), now a successful independent consultant HOW TO WORK FOR YOURSELF AND MAKE IT WORK Are you thinking of starting up on your own and working for yourself? Do you need to know the nuts and bolts of setting up; marketing yourself and prospecting for new business; keeping things running on a day-to-day basis? Have you already made the leap and want to get more work, new clients, higher fees? This practical, no-nonsense book pulls no punches and gives you all the guidance you need to set yourself up and get work in the first place, plus all the know-how you need to survive, prosper and expand once you're up and running. See the book's website at www.pearson-books.com/startinguponyourownfor up-to-the minute financial and tax information for small businesses and the self-employed. This book was previously known as Smarter Consulting. IF YOU NEVER WANT TO WORK FOR SOMEBODY ELSE AGAIN, YOU NEED STARTING UP ON YOUR OWN! Chances are that if you're looking at this book you are at least thinking about taking the big step of going it alone. Or you're already in business as an independent and you want to get better at it. Well, you've come to the right place. Starting Up On Your Own covers everything you need to get ready to work for yourself and, once you've taken the plunge, how to develop your business and stay the course. If you're not already in business, the first step is to decide if this is the right path for you. To help you with this critical decision, this book takes you through the reality of what's involved and has a unique self-assessment quiz to help you check out your suitability for the independent working lifestyle. You're probably an expert in your chosen field. That's great: you'll be selling your expertise. But when you're working for yourself you have to be good at a whole lot of other things too. Starting Up On Your Own covers everything you need to do to make money and survive as an independent. * Where do I start? * How should I market myself? * How can I get repeat business from my clients? * How do I win new clients? * What should I charge and what do I need to do to make sure I get paid on time? * When can I put up my fees? (And when shouldn't I?) * Can I work from home? * How much will I need to invest? * Should I hire someone else to work for me? * How shall I organise my time? The answers to all these questions and more are right here. What are you waiting for? Mike Johnsonbegan life as an independent, freelance consultant in 1982, before founding a corporate communications firm in Brussels and London, following a career in journalism and corporate communication for multinational corporations. In 1999 he started again as an independent consultant and freelance. This book is about what he has learned on his freelance journey. His focus today centres around the world of work, talent management and corporate communication for both private and public organizations The author of eleven books on business and management issues, including Winning the People Wars, Talent Magnet and The New Rules of Engagement, Mike also developed a series of World of Work studies for the Financial Times and The Economistand for many international corporations and consulting firms. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars around the globe, he is the founder and chairman of the independent global think-tank the FutureWork Forum (www.futureworkforum.com). Oh, yes, he's also quite good at working for himself!

Editorial Reviews

Review

VISIT THE NEW STARTING UP ON YOUR OWN PILOT WEBSITE http://www.mikeajohnson.com/SUOYO/index.html.

From the Back Cover

‘I wish this book had been available when I began my independent career. There’s only one word for it – PRICELESS!!!’

Shay McConnon, psychologist, trainer, coach, magician and mentor

‘A MUST read for anyone thinking about life outside the organisation.’

Goran Hultin, former Deputy Director General at the International Labour Office (ILO), now a successful independent consultant

‘Grounded in common sense and humour, and very clear about what can send you off track.’

Norman Walker, former global head of Human Resources for Novartis, now an independent senior executive coach and consultant on leadership

HOW TO WORK FOR YOURSELF AND MAKE IT WORK

Are you thinking of starting up on your own and working for yourself? Do you need to know the nuts and bolts of setting up, marketing yourself, prospecting for new business and keeping things running on a day-to-day basis? Have you already made the leap and want to get more work, new clients, higher fees?

This practical, no-nonsense book pulls no punches and gives you all the guidance you need to set yourself up, plus all the know-how you need to survive, prosper and expand once you’re up and running.

See the book’s website for up-to-the minute financial and tax information for small businesses and the self-employed:

www.pearson-books.com/startinguponyourown

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: FT Press; 1 edition (February 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0273731173
• ISBN-13: 978-0273731177
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical - a great read and reference book, March 5, 2011

By 

Watersign76 (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starting up on your own: How to succeed as an independent consultant or freelance (Paperback)

A worthwhile buy. Johnson takes a very practical approach; he goes through each area you need to think about if you want to start up on your own. He includes case studies/stories to illustrate the point which brings the text alive. He includes lots of helpful checklists.

He basically covers the good and the bad. For me, it gave me a clear idea of how my new working week should be set up. I can see myself dipping in and out of it.

If you are thinking about starting up or are just beginning I'd recommend.

The only thing that was missing is much mention of social media and how it could help your business.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrifically helpful, February 16, 2011

By 

Dina Falmagne (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Starting up on your own: How to succeed as an independent consultant or freelance (Paperback)

The book has been infinitely useful to me. It served me as an introductory text, as a reference, as a confidence booster, and it's engaging, really fun to read. It has all the info necessary for starting a business, both the basic concepts, and the little details and tips you would never have thought of. It's especially good at convincing you that you can succeed, because it identifies all the steps involved, and provides you with the tools to follow them. What's important, is that everything you find in the book really inspires trust, because the form and the content of it make it very clear that Mike Johnson has gone through the process himself, has succeeded, and continues to succeed. It's a MUST for all who plan to venture on their own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars so many good ideas, February 8, 2011

By 

white rabbit - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starting up on your own: How to succeed as an independent consultant or freelance (Paperback)

I have been thinking of "starting up on my own" for quite some time - this book is very good in providing tangible advice on how you would even start thinking about it. Not decided to make the step yet, but this will most certainly be my resource when i make that decision.