How to Start and Run a Successful Consulting Business (Paperback)

by Gregory F. Kishel (Author), Patricia Gunter Kishel (Author) "Who needs consultants?..." (more)
Key Phrases: matchmaker events, selling your services, consulting field, United States, Small Business Administration, Department of Commerce (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
How to Start and Run a Successful Consulting Business

Written for anyone with ideas, information, or skills to sell, this invaluable guide shows you how to make the most of your talents, putting them to work for yourself and your clients. Drawing on their own experiences as management consultants, Gregory and Patricia Kishel offer down-to-earth advice on what it takes to succeed as a consultant, where the opportunities are, and the types of situations you are likely to encounter. Step by step, you will learn all the aspects of becoming an independent consultant, including:

• How to choose a specific field and set up business
• How to determine fees and market your services
• How to get referrals and maintain good client relations
• What kinds of insurance you should have
• How to win government contracts, enter foreign markets,
• and much more

Whatever your area of specialization, this indispensable book will give you the information you need to build and maintain a profitable consulting business.

From the Inside Flap
"The consulting industry is one of the fastest growing business sectors worldwide with new opportunities emerging continually in hundreds of different fields. Whatever your area of expertise—engineering or employee relations, computers or customer service—there’s likely to be a demand for your consulting abilities." —Gregory Kishel and Patricia Kishel from the Preface Who needs consultants? The answer is simple: everyone does! Consultants are no longer viewed as a luxury. They’ve become a necessity in today’s constantly evolving business environment. And, for millions of career changers, recent graduates, retirees, and former government employees, consulting is an excellent way to turn knowledge and experience into a profitable business. Now, two highly successful consultants provide you with a proven plan for entering and growing in this lucrative field. You’ll get practical advice on what it takes to succeed as a consultant, where the real opportunities are, and the types of situations you are most likely to encounter. You’ll learn all of the aspects of becoming an independent consultant, including how to choose a specific field and set up business, how to determine fees and market your services, how to get referrals and maintain good client relations, how to write winning proposals, what kinds of insurance you should have, how to win government contracts, how to enter foreign markets, and much, much more. Packed with step-by-step guidelines, forms, and checklists, this valuable guide is must reading for both working consultants and anyone interested in starting a consulting business. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (January 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471125458
• ISBN-13: 978-0471125457
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #818,815 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motivational text with step by step guidelines, November 29, 2000

By	"profeprods" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

I just bought it and I couldn't put the book down! In fact, I plan on reading it again and again just to get the concepts ingrained in my mind.

I am preparing to launch my own consulting business after several years of "dabbling" in workshop facilitation and the design of presentations for various one time clients. This book describes in clear words the practical things I need to do to move my business from a part time endeavor to a full time and SUCCESSFUL business of my own!

I looked at and skimmed dozens of books on this topic over the last two weeks, and this one is the best, hands down. If you are looking for a easy to use, yet comprehensive (Check out the table of contents to see for yourself just how comprehensive this book is!) and practical guide to starting your own consulting business, the Kishel's book is a must have!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Complete WASTE OF TIME!, March 15, 2006

By	William G. Nolan (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is like a fad diet book. It pads about two pages worth of real data with 200 pages of fluff. Don't waste your money or time buying this book! I am kicking myself for wasting my money. There are many better books than this one. Trust me.