Comments on: Am I A Consultant? http://thingsthatarebrown.com/blog/2008/07/am-i-a-consultant/ Smart, nimble web design by Matt Brown and Tiffani Jones Brown. Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:11:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Matt http://thingsthatarebrown.com/blog/2008/07/am-i-a-consultant/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Matt Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:29:46 +0000 http://thingsthatarebrown.com/blog/?p=22#comment-49 @Matt & Justin, I think you're both right, that the issue is very much in how I present/pitch the service to clients. "Advice" is well and good (everyone has an opinion), but it's always stronger if it's a clearly actionable plan and easy for clients to see the value you're delivering. For me, I think the biggest challenge is how to anchor the consulting to a deliverable. Ideally, this will be something lightweight and clear (not a 50+ technical document) that outlines problems and solutions. @Matt & Justin,

I think you’re both right, that the issue is very much in how I present/pitch the service to clients. “Advice” is well and good (everyone has an opinion), but it’s always stronger if it’s a clearly actionable plan and easy for clients to see the value you’re delivering.

For me, I think the biggest challenge is how to anchor the consulting to a deliverable. Ideally, this will be something lightweight and clear (not a 50+ technical document) that outlines problems and solutions.

]]> By: Matt http://thingsthatarebrown.com/blog/2008/07/am-i-a-consultant/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Matt Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:31:15 +0000 http://thingsthatarebrown.com/blog/?p=22#comment-47 My first two jobs were at non-profits, and both organizations hired general consultants to launch major web projects. (The second of those is how I got my entry into web development. They wanted an on-staff fellow to watch after the consultant, and I was the only mid-twenties guy within arm's reach.) Anyway, there's definitely a place for it – especially if you do it well. And I think being able to express how the whole "less-is-more" philosophy adds value (and saves money) for the client will be crucial. It's a tricky bit to message. Good luck with this! And keep us all updated on how it pans out. My first two jobs were at non-profits, and both organizations hired general consultants to launch major web projects. (The second of those is how I got my entry into web development. They wanted an on-staff fellow to watch after the consultant, and I was the only mid-twenties guy within arm’s reach.)

Anyway, there’s definitely a place for it – especially if you do it well. And I think being able to express how the whole “less-is-more” philosophy adds value (and saves money) for the client will be crucial. It’s a tricky bit to message.

Good luck with this! And keep us all updated on how it pans out.

]]> By: Justin Lilly http://thingsthatarebrown.com/blog/2008/07/am-i-a-consultant/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Justin Lilly Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:49:57 +0000 http://thingsthatarebrown.com/blog/?p=22#comment-46 I would think those who need the service most, aren't willing to admit it to themselves. The entire newspaper industry seems to be suffering from the problems you mentioned above. Besides, when they do bring in "experts", I'm sure they spend much more than you would charge in good conscious. I would think those who need the service most, aren’t willing to admit it to themselves. The entire newspaper industry seems to be suffering from the problems you mentioned above. Besides, when they do bring in “experts”, I’m sure they spend much more than you would charge in good conscious.

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