consulting: the other career option
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CONSULTING: THE OTHER CAREER OPTION. Grace M. Furman, PhD DABT President/CEO Paracelsus, Inc. SABPA Professional and Personal Development Skill Series 12 May 2007. What is a Consultant?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CONSULTING: THE OTHER CAREER OPTION
Grace M. Furman, PhD DABTPresident/CEO Paracelsus, Inc.
SABPA Professional and Personal Development Skill Series
12 May 2007
What is a Consultant?
– A consultant is someone who comes in, borrows your watch, tells you what time it is, keeps the watch, and charges you an exorbitant fee.
But Seriously…What is a Consultant?
• “A person who consults with another or others”
• “An expert who is called on for professional or technical advice or opinions”
What is an Expert?
• “very skillful; having much training and knowledge in a specific field”
Logistical Considerations
• When to “take the plunge”– Breadth/depth of professional
experience & expertise– Job satisfaction & security– Personal/family situation
Logistical Considerations
• When to “take the plunge”– Corporate/organizational tolerance
Logistical Considerations
• Marketable professional skills• Marketable “people skills”• Work environment preference• Personal risk tolerance
Logistical Considerations
• Business development– Your professional reputation: your
greatest professional asset & most valuable form of advertisement & self promotion
• Gauging client satisfaction – How will you know if you’re succeeding?
• Start-up costs– Includes time
• Business structures– Independent contractor vs. consulting
organization– Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, LLCs,
S-Corporations, and C-Corporations
Financial Considerations
• Fee structures
Financial Considerations
• Health insurance• Retirement savings
Financial Considerations
Professional Development
• New client = new challenge• Continued professional growth
– You WILL learn something new every day!
• Consultant/professional networks
Getting Started
• Educate yourself• Prepare a business plan• Network! Network! Network!
Q&A