How to have a sustainable business model With the economy showing little in the way of recovery, every day there seems to be more and more people looking towards self-employment, in particular in the freelance or contracting markets.This is having a strange impact on the supply and demand in the profession. People are often despirate for work, so set low rates - custonmers like the thought of saving so hire at the lowest cost... but what is the real cost?When contracting or freelancing, … [Read more...] about The 5 Traps to Avoid – Increasing Trend for People Going Freelance
Why blog? Is it a Marketing tool?
Why should we blog?For some time I have been promoting Twitter as a good thing for people running small businesses to do, but recently I have been asked “why blog” and what is the value to small businesses and freelance consultants and trainers.I guess that because I have been doing this for some time that I overlooked the basics. This article is the first is a short series to show why and how to blog for business.People and business blog for a wide range of reasons including: … [Read more...] about Why blog? Is it a Marketing tool?
Are you credible as a coach or consultant? Are you hiring credible providers?
Why do many people hire a coach or consultant when it seems clear they are not credible? This week I came across a post on Facebook. The post in itself was not unusual or uncommon. But it got me thinking.Do we need people to have any expertise of knowledge to be a coach or consultant? Do we just accept that people delivering training for our employees will just "fly by the seat of their pants" and deliver something? Are purchasers of consulting and training services intelligent … [Read more...] about Are you credible as a coach or consultant? Are you hiring credible providers?
OD Developer Profile Audit Tool
How do internal developers build and develop their skills? There is no single standard. The OD Developer Profile Audit tool was developed by Mike Morrison as part of a PG Diploma in Management and Organisational Development.Part of the development programme was to maintain a Personal Development Plan throughout the duration of the programme. Rather than just have a wide plan I sat down with my line manager. Together we worked out a set of skills required for the internal consulting role … [Read more...] about OD Developer Profile Audit Tool
Attracting clients in a freelance market space – lessons from MLM
How do we attract and retain clients when we are working as a freelancer? As trainers or consultants we get a meeting booked, we have a successful meeting and we are asked to submit a proposal. Often after submission of a proposal we are disappointed when we are not successful, thinking that it was a 'done deal' when we left the initial meeting. But how do we get the initial meetings? the more meetings, the more proposals, the more proposals the greater opportunity of a contract being … [Read more...] about Attracting clients in a freelance market space – lessons from MLM
Going freelance in training or HR – how much to charge
Going freelance in training or HR - how much to charge With organisations laying staff off, HR and training are no exception to potential job losses. This leaves many to think about going freelance. Knowing how much to charge is one challenge. Often people in the consulting and freelance world undervalue their services, and equally, purchasers are increasingly unrealistic about what they expect to pay.Some time ago I was asked to present to a local CIPD group about 'going freelance' and in … [Read more...] about Going freelance in training or HR – how much to charge
Going Freelance in difficult times – consulting and training
Many people believe that one of the most successful ways of starting as a freelancer and maintaining a growing consulting or training business is to specialise or to find your own niche. What is a business niche? A niche business is one with a focus or area of specialisation. It is a market segment that particularly suits your experience, knowledge, talents, interests and personality. It is a segment of the market that you can make your own. You make it yours because it fits your expertise and … [Read more...] about Going Freelance in difficult times – consulting and training
The BIR business diagnostic & health check
Why should you carry out a regular, independent health check of your business? Effective use of these tools can provide benchmarks of performance and evaluation of change initiatives. rapidbi.staging.wpengine.com … [Read more...] about The BIR business diagnostic & health check
