Getting Started in Computer Consulting (Paperback)

by Peter Meyer (Author) "It sounds a simple question, but every year it gets a little harder to answer..." (more)
Key Phrases: most computer consultants, most technology consultants, unique service proposition, Seven-Step Process, Northern California, Herman Holtz (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Written by an expert who has helped thousands of people nationwide find success as computer consultants, this is your complete guide to starting and managing a thriving computer and network consulting practice. From start-up costs to contract negotiation, from taxes to pricing and marketing, you get concise, straightforward advice and guidance on all the critical issues involved. And throughout the text you'll find candid accounts from seasoned computer consultants who share invaluable insights into all aspects of the business. You'll learn how to:

• Assess your strengths and zero in on your market niche
• Use proven, affordable marketing and sales techniques
• Decide when you need a broker and find one you can work with
• Set fees and negotiate contracts to your best advantage
• Bid on government contracts--and win
• Manage your time and workload for optimum satisfaction
• Choose and win the clients you want to work with
• Use the Internet to build your success

From the Back Cover
"

Written by an expert who has helped thousands of people nationwide find success as computer consultants, this is your complete guide to starting and managing a thriving computer and network consulting practice. From start-up costs to contract negotiation, from taxes to pricing and marketing, you get concise, straightforward advice and guidance on all the critical issues involved. And throughout the text you'll find candid accounts from seasoned computer consultants who share invaluable insights into all aspects of the business. You'll learn how to: Assess your strengths and zero in on your market niche Use proven, affordable marketing and sales techniquesDecide when you need a broker and find one you can work withSet fees and negotiate contracts to your best advantageBid on government contracts--and winManage your time and workload for optimum satisfactionChoose and win the clients you want to work withUse the Internet to build your success

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471348139
• ISBN-13: 978-0471348139
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #676,676 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE most practical book I have ever read, September 19, 2000

By	"databasedude" (Brisbane, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews

I didn't buy this book through Amazon, but I loved it so much that I had to review it.

A very practical book that was written with lots of examples by a very experienced person. I found it extreemly useful in setting up my own database consulting business. it contains things such as:

How to price your time, how to choose your client, how to ensure that your client has confidence in you, pitfalls to avoid when building your business etc.

Excelent!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just like Wonderbread - Bland, stale, and full of sawdust., March 5, 2005

By	M. Grubb - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a soon to be full-time consultant, I was hoping that this book would provide me answers for the few remaining questions I have. Based on the other reviews, it appeared this book would fill in those gaps, though now that I have read it, I am sorely disappointed. The most annoying aspect of the book is that the author's primary aim seems to be to show off his grasp of the various fields within computer consulting and especially the terminology and jargon. Seriously, if I REALLY need to know what an ATM switch is, I can look it up in Newton's Telecomm Dictionary. Likewise, I do NOT need a primer on IBM mainframes and PC-DOS which haven't been relevant for over 20 years. I just want to know about "Getting Started" - like the title says. The sidebars are littered with these mostly useless definitions. In addition, the book seems to offer very detailed information in the table of contents, though once you read a specific section you realize the oasis is only a mirage. There's a heading called "Examining Your Strengths" which instructs one to do this without any suggestions on how to do this and how to interpret the results and choose a niche, yet choosing a niche is one of the main points of the book. Much of the information can be useful, yet an equal amount is either so simplistic or so vague I started yelling out loud at the book. Often the author will state things like "research indicates" without even citing the research. A lot of the marketing advice seems regurgitated from bad 1990's marketing books; clearly NOT the authors strong point. If you want to read a mind-blowing 1990's book on marketing a service business, read Harry Beckwith's Selling the Invisible. Finally, the book is very dated, being a computer-related book published in 2000. The annoying little sidebar definitions become more annoying with their staleness. I could hardly keep myself from smiling/groaning at the mention that Y2K consulting is still a growth niche.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good broad introduction, September 24, 2000

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

This book covers all the basics. It is a good "how to" on various levels, but also gives you the advantages and disadvantages of consulting - if you haven't made your mind up yet. But you may want to read other books for more in-depth coverage.

I haven't been contracting for 10 years, but have a stong desire to again do the work I like, for people I like, when I like - and get paid for it. Consulting is different to contracting of course, and Meyer discusses many of the new skills needed, for example setting up, marketing and pricing (he strongly recommends flat rate pricing for example) - and the very important listening skills. After reading the book, I have made my mind up. I am ready to chuck my permanent job.