Consulting For Dummies

A clear, concise resource for entering this lucrative career field Consulting For Dummies, 2nd Edition includes a reorganization and narrower focus of the topic, with new or updated information that delves into the specifics of running your own consulting business. There is greater emphasis on the business of consulting, along with financial and legal issues involved in setting up a consulting business, deepening coverage of consulting proposals, and entirely new chapters on higher-level consulting issues that more-established consultants are demanding.

Fully adapted for a UK audience by consultancy specialist, Philip Albon, this book is an essential guide for anyone considering making a career out of consulting. Offering practical advice on all aspects of setting-up and running a successful consulting business including; setting your fees, keeping track of time and money, building business with new clients, winning proposals and business networking, Consulting For Dummies is the easiest way to make a name for yourself and profit from your expertise. Sections will include: What’s a Consultant?– Deciding to set up and finding a business direction The Consulting Process– How to create a business proposal, analyse the data, develop recommendations, present the findings, and make sure they’re implemented Key Consulting Skills– Presenting a professional image, time-management and organisation, communication skills, writing reports and presentations, using technology Setting up your Business– setting fees, drawing up contracts, setting up a home office, keeping track of time and money, multiplying effectiveness with support services Marketing– Promotion, getting new clients, using referrals Plus, new information on Business reality– preparing for tax audits and general small business finance This UK edition of Consulting For Dummies will fully update readers on current e-marketing techniques and the current opportunities offered to those using the Internet to promote their business and build a client list. It will also be adapted to include core UK business and finance information, crucial for those setting up alone. Topics such as bookkeeping and basic accountancy have been added, plus content on UK tax and how government policies affect small businesses. This new edition incorporates updated currency systems in order to cater for the UK market.

An industrial/organizational psychologist, consultant, and speaker, author Bruce Katcher combines his years of experience and insights with real stories from a range of other independent consultants to guide readers on their journey of growing a consulting practice--whether they're beginners just starting up or veterans looking for new ways to invigorate their businesses. In An Insider's Guide to Building a Successful Consulting Practice, you'll learn simple yet powerful strategies for success, including how to: identify a market and narrow your focus; make a smooth transition from employee to independent consultant; sell effectively even if you've never sold before; establish visibility through speaking, writing, and networking; set prices based on value; develop a marketing strategy and divide your time between marketing and delivering your services; and much more. With applicable data and tangible advice gleaned from the survey results of professionals in a diverse range of industries, you'll not only learn how to keep plenty of work in your pipeline--you'll be able to adapt your consulting practice to thrive in any market.

Tips on making your call center a genuine profit center In North America, call centers are a $13 billion business, employing 4 million people. For managers in charge of a call center operation, this practical, user-friendly guide outlines how to improve results measurably, following its principles of revenue generation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. In addition, this new edition addresses many industry changes, such as the new technology that's transforming today's call center and the location-neutral call center. It also helps readers determine whether it's cost-efficient to outsource operations and looks at the changing role and requirements of agents. The ultimate call center guide, now revised and updated The authors have helped over 60 companies improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their call center operations Offers comprehensive guidance for call centers of all sizes, from 20-person operations to multinational businesses With the latest edition of Call Centers For Dummies, managers will have an improved arsenal of techniques to boost their center's bottom line.

The Secrets of Consulting--techniques, strategies, and first-hand experiences--all that you'll need to set up, run, and be successful at your own consulting business.

Small Business Marketing For Dummies helps you promote your business. It is designed specifically for the busy small business owner, giving you simple but powerful ways to spread your message - all at little or no cost. It shows you how to build your company's profile, attract new customers and keep them coming back for more. Inside you will learn how to: Create an achievable marketing plan Use social media and the web to attract and keep customers Communicate with your customers through winning emails, newsletters, blogs and more Make use of affordable advertising solutions in print and other media Get great PR for your business.

If you’re starting a new business or planning your business’s future, there are plenty of things you should take into account. Strategic Planning For Dummies covers everything you need to know to develop a plan for building and maintaining a competitive advantage — no matter what business you’re in. Written by Erica Olsen, founder and President of a business development firm that helps entrepreneurial-minded businesses plan for a successful future, this handy guide covers all the basics, including: How a strategic plan is different than a business plan Establishing a step-based planning process Planning for and encouraging growth Taking a long-view of your organization Evaluating past performance Defining and refining your mission, values, and vision Sizing up your current situation Examining your industry landscape Setting your strategic priorities Planning for unknown contingencies If you’re in business, you have to plan for everything — especially if you intend your business to grow. Whether you’re planning for a small business, large conglomerate, nonprofit, or even a government agency, this book has the planning specifics you need for your organization. Step-by-step, you’ll learn how to lay the foundations for a plan, understand how your plan will affect your business, form planning teams, discover what your strengths are, see where you are, and, finally, plan where you’re going. And there’s much more: Learn to analyze business trends that will determine your business’s future Set measurable, realistic goals that you can plan for and achieve Make strategic planning a habitual part of the organization Prioritize multiple strategies that you can implement simultaneously Set a defining vision for the organization that guides all your planning and strategy This friendly, simple guide puts the power of strategic planning in the palm of your hand. For small businesses that can’t afford to hire strategic planning consultants, it’s even more imperative. Careful, constant planning is the only way to handle an uncertain business future. With this book, you’ll have all the step-by-step guidance you need to ensure you’re ready for anything that comes.

Your guide to understanding the basics of an MBA Want to get an MBA? The Complete MBA For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is the practical, plain-English guide that covers all the basics of a top-notch MBA program, helping you to navigate today’s most innovative business strategies. From management to entrepreneurship to strategic planning, you’ll understand the hottest trends and get the latest techniques for motivating employees, building global partnerships, managing risk, and manufacturing. This fun, easy-to-access guide is full of useful information, tips, and checklists that will help you lead, manage, or participate in any business at a high level of competence. You’ll find out how to use databases to your advantage, recognize and reward your employees, analyze financial statements, and understand the challenges of strategic planning in a global business environment. You’ll also learn the basic principals of accounting, get a grip on the concepts behind stocks and bonds, and find out how technology has revolutionized everything from manufacturing to marketing. Discover how to: Know and respond to your customers’ needs Handle budgets and forecasts Recruit and retain top people Establish and run employee teams Use Sarbanes-Oxley to your company’s advantage Negotiate with the best of them Build long-term relationships with clients Avoid common managerial mistakes Improve cash flow Market your products and services Make the most of your advertising dollar Once you know what an MBA knows, the sky’s the limit. Read The Complete MBA For Dummies, 2nd Edition, and watch your career take off!