IT Consultant
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18 maxims of successful IT consulting
By Chip Camden | April 14, 2009, 9:39 AM PDT
To celebrate his 18th anniversary as an IT consultant, Chip Camden is sharing 18 lessons he's picked up over the years. After you read his pearls of wisdom, post your favorite consulting one-liners in the discussion.
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Want stimulus money for your IT consultancy? Start bidding on government contracts
By Susan Harkins | April 9, 2009, 8:01 PM PDT
You might think winning a government contract for your small IT consultancy is impossible. The truth is, the U.S. government is looking for small businesses to bid for government contracts. Susan Harkins offers six pointers on how your consultancy can be a successful government contractor.
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When clients embrace innovation for the wrong reasons
By Chip Camden | April 7, 2009, 3:57 AM PDT
There are various reasons why clients may want to innovate, such as to keep up with the competition or users are demanding it. IT consultant Chip Camden offers words of wisdom about what to say when clients pursue change for the wrong reasons.
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Eight ways IT consultants can succeed in a turbulent economy
By Erik Eckel | April 6, 2009, 6:27 AM PDT
Committing to client satisfaction, marketing creatively, and guarding expenses are among the best methods any IT consultant can employ to succeed. Find out what else Erik Eckel recommends you should do -- as well as what not to do -- to succeed in this economic climate.
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Member offers IT consultants advice about starting their own business
By Mary Weilage | April 2, 2009, 12:47 PM PDT
In this interview, TechRepublic member Glen Ford (aka PMP'sicle) provides three tips for IT consultants who are considering branching out and starting their own business. He also talks about when he became interested in technology, the most difficult project he's had to manage, and more.
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Five resume tips for IT consultants
By Chip Camden | March 31, 2009, 1:40 PM PDT
Writing a resume that grabs a prospective client's attention and gets you an interview requires quite a bit of thought. See what five elements of good writing that IT consultants should remember when they're putting their accomplishments in print.
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Why specializing may help IT consultants cash in
By Susan Harkins | March 31, 2009, 10:29 AM PDT
The U.S. government and private industry predict growth in specific IT areas over the next five years. Susan Harkins says having a niche often means being able to charge more for your services.
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How independent contractors can avoid getting burned by too many client revisions
By Meredith Little | March 28, 2009, 4:50 PM PDT
Don't let multiple client revisions lead you to do unpaid work that's beyond the scope of your contract. Meredith Little offers tips on how to handle these client requests.
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Assess open source products' solvency for your client's sake
By Susan Harkins | March 24, 2009, 4:57 AM PDT
Open source products may disappear during the recession. How will that impact you and your clients? Susan Harkins explains what you should consider.
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What to do when your client doesn't pay
By Chip Camden | March 23, 2009, 4:34 AM PDT
Chip Camden offers tips on how to get your client to pay you on their own volition, continue to be your client, and pay you on time in the future. He also shares the single most important thing you can do to insure timely payment.
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Resources for creating your independent contracts
By Meredith Little | March 20, 2009, 2:56 PM PDT
When creating your independent contract, you don't have to go it alone. Meredith Little offers pointers on which books and online resources can help make this process much easier.
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Encourage your IT consulting clients to embrace innovation
By Chip Camden | March 18, 2009, 11:22 AM PDT
Have you encountered tension between the client's desire to move forward vs. their discomfort with having to adopt new practices and learn new technologies? Chip Camden discusses how IT consultants can help clients welcome innovation.
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Time to add RIA expertise to your IT consulting credentials?
By Susan Harkins | March 16, 2009, 4:23 AM PDT
Rich Internet Application (RIA) platforms have been around for a long time, but these applications are finally catching on. IT consultant Susan Harkins explains why RIAs are no longer just for Web developers.
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Independent contractors: Make sure your contract protects your interests
By Meredith Little | March 13, 2009, 12:25 PM PDT
Writing a contract can help independent contractors and clients iron out project details ahead of time and avoid potential disputes down the line. Meredith Little outlines what verbiage and clauses to include in your contract and explains why you should clearly state your independent status.
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Answering client questions about perceived risks and benefits
By Chip Camden | March 10, 2009, 5:29 AM PDT
Chip Camden notes that a client's decision to hire a consultant should come down to a risk/benefit analysis. With that in mind, here are seven questions prospective clients might ask you, along with Chip's thoughts on how to answer them.
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Consultant encourages other women in IT to explore their options
By Susan Harkins | March 9, 2009, 10:26 AM PDT
The number of women in IT is shrinking and some see that as a problem. Susan Sales Harkins sees something different -- she sees opportunity.
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The difference between contracting and consulting, and why it matters
By Meredith Little | March 4, 2009, 11:55 AM PST
Meredith Little offers basic definitions for a contractor and a consultant and explains why it matters what you call yourself. She also provides tips on how not to get burned when dealing with project bidding.
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Creating a productive workspace: An IT consultant's office essentials
By Chip Camden | March 3, 2009, 11:01 AM PST
Chip Camden advises IT consultants to spend less on sprucing up their office for clients and take more time on making their office a productive space. He also discusses what to keep in mind if you're setting up a home office.
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Protect clients' data and their users from sophisticated security attacks
By TechRepublic | February 27, 2009, 11:06 AM PST
Attend this Webcast to learn how to protect your clients' proprietary corporate and customer data and their users from sophisticated security attacks. Also, get answers to your questions about the top IT security threats.
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Do you have the right personality to be an independent consultant?
By Meredith Little | February 26, 2009, 7:45 AM PST
Meredith Little discusses the importance of taking a good look at your personality and your expectations before making the leap to consulting and contracting work.
