Getting Started in Computer Consulting

Rating:
Summary: Tools For Being A Successful Consultant
Review: As publisher of the e-mail newsletter "The Marketing Energizer Zine for Consultants," I recently reviewed this book. Here are a few excerpts from my review: "Getting Started In Computer Consulting" is not just for computer consultants. It's for consultants in all fields. And it's valuable for seasoned pros as well as start-up consultants. Peter Meyer's book provides penetrating answers to the question, What separates the most successful consultants from the also-rans?

For consultants who would like to pick the clients you want to work with and to raise your fees, study and adapt the Seven-Step Process. Once we tried it, we were better able to adjust our selling to match our prospects' unique needs. Also, his section on "Informational Interviews" is excellent for consultants who want to enter a new field as well as for beginning consultants.

Rating:
Summary: THE most practical book I have ever read
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Its good, but I bought it too soon.
Review: I have to agree with another reviewer here. The book had more information than I new what to do with at this time, since I am just considering a career change into the computer field. I know I want to be a computer consultant, but I got a bit intimidated by all the info this book has. Which is good, in general, but I guess I should have purchased it a bit down the line when I am close to completing my training.

I took the advice of another reviewer here and bought "The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches," because it is the only programming/consulting book I've found that was written for those in the absolute beginner, from a technical perspective.

I will keep this book and refer to it as I near completion of my training, so I can move into consulting as quickly as I can.

I would have given it 5 stars, but as I said, I am too new to this field and could not digest it all yet.

Rating:
Summary: Good for an expereinced IT person, but not for me.
Review: I've either skimmed or fully read many of the consulting books around. This one is like a mix between Janet Ruhl' two books: "Janet Ruhl's Answers for Computer Contractors: How to Get the Highest Rates and the Fairest Deals from Consulting Firms, Agencies, and Clients" and "The Computer Consultant's Guide."

It is useful for anyone considering consulting and how best to organize and handle their business, from many viewpoints.

Though for a beginner in the IT field, actually, I am still in school, it is good for an overview, but I won't be able use much of it yet. At least I can better prepare for my entry into the work force.

I read some other reviews here and they mentioned
"The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches: An Expert Consultant's Step-by-Step Guide That Takes You from Having Little or No Computer Programming Experience, Virtually, Directly into High-Paid Contract Programming" being good for people just starting out in the IT field. Either way, I am going to read them all and I will review this book many times, because I want to be ready when I graduate and be a top notch consultant.

In conclusion: this was a very infomative read into the consulting field and it opened my eyes to many options I never new existed.

Rating:
Summary: A good broad introduction
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Good for an expereinced IT person, but not for me.
Review: 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.