The Computer Consultant's Workbook (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

If you've perused the literature on information technology consulting careers, you've probably run across Janet Ruhl's name. Her Computer Consultant's Workbook and Computer Consultant's Guide have each earned positive reviews and steady sales.

Answers for Computer Contractors fills in some more blanks for both new and experienced contractors with a hard-hitting, well-organized collection of facts and figures about compensation as well as collected wisdom about how to negotiate higher compensation rates.

Organized in question-and-answer format, Answers is extremely accessible and easy to use. Indeed, its ease-of-use is almost as valuable as the information it contains. The book encompasses just about every topic you need to know to contract successfully.

Those topics include legal niceties, Internal Revenue Service rules, and methods of finding opportunities through consulting firms, agencies and on your own. There's also good advice on ways to earn higher compensation by delivering more value to the customer. If you contract or plan to, this "Ruhl book" belongs in your library. -- Computerworld 06/21/99 reviewer Alan R. Earls

The computer services sector is one of the fastest growing employment opportunities in our economy today. The Computer Consultant's Workbook provides the facts and advice needed to determine if you have the right skills, how to set up your consulting practice, figure out how much to charge, selling your services to clients, avoid payment problems, and work with third party consulting firms. You'll learn about the "gotchas" that lurk for the unwary, and share the tips and tricks experienced consultants know. There are exercises and checklists designed to teach the concepts all successful consultants must master. There's even help in drafting a customized marketing plan suited to the kind of consulting you practice, as well as examples of effective business letters, phone scripts, resumes, proposals, and sales dialogues that can be used as models for your own. The Computer Consultant's Workbook is "must" reading for anyone contemplating a career in computer consultation. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

The version of the Computer Consultant's Workbook being offered here was updated in 1999 to reflect tax law changes and changes in health insurance law. The information on consulting rates was also updated at the same time using information gathered after the original publication of The Computer Consultant's Workbook by Ruhl's Real Rate Survey...

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Technion Books (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964711605
• ISBN-13: 978-0964711600
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #930,507 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book for would-be consultants, May 4, 2000

By	D. Brent Chapman (Alameda, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wish this book had been available when I was getting started as a consultant; it would have saved me a lot of the time and trouble of learning the ropes. The book is well organized and full of great tips, useful advice, and excellent discussions of the issues involved in being a successful consultant. It was clearly written (and written clearly) by somebody who has obviously "been there and done that." As I read through it, I kept saying to myself, "yeah, that's so true, and that's true too, and I wish I'd known that before discovering it the hard way, and . . . ."

If you've ever entertained idle thoughts about consulting in the computer industry, I strongly encourage you to get this book. It does a great job of presenting both the pros and cons of consulting and includes the essential information you need to succeed if you decide to make a go of it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable book for a newbie consultant., May 7, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I read from front to cover the Computer Consultant's Workbook. For a person who is interested in consulting, and has no knowledge at all about consulting, this is the book for you. After you read this book I would also recommend that you read her second book as well because both books together offer invaluable tips as you embark on your career as a consultant.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY Solid Advice that will pay for itself many times over.., March 11, 2001

By	Dean C Harris "deanharris" (Freeport, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Having dabbled in consulting I knew some of the basics, but this will help me polish out any rough spots. If you are thinkng of becoming an independant or just started out by all means get this book! Just started reading two other books by Janet and I'm sure I'll like those as well. Also, stop by the messsage board on her web site to share your experiences.... No- I do not know her nor am I compensated by her. Just a solid book and thought I'd share.