Building a Consulting Business

[ZE Build Consult Biz]

Price: $ 49.95+GST

(Available in Entrepreneurship Program only)

Many of us have the dream of owning a business, but few of us take that step. In the case of starting a consulting business it may be a short step from the work world to the self-employed world. In some cases your skills can be transferred easily from your current job to your own consulting business.

This course will guide you along your journey to starting your own consulting business. It will take a look at important components such as business plans and marketing plans while touching on networking and important documents you need to consider.

Table of Contents

Building a Consulting Business

Session 1: Course Overview

Learning Objectives
Pre-Assignment Instructions
Pre-Assignment, Area One
Pre-Assignment, Area Two
Pre-Assignment, Area Three
Pre-Course Assessment

Session 2: What It's All About

Defining the Terms
Do You Have What It Takes?

Session 3: Business Building Blocks

Identifying the Possibilities
Doing Your Research
The Three Elements
Bringing It All Together
Taking it Further
Technical and Training Services
Specialized Services
Project Management
Pre-Assignment Review, Area One
Pre-Assignment Review, Area Two
Pre-Assignment Review, Area Three

Session 4: Crunching the Numbers

Developing Financial Budgets and Projections
Estimating Personal Expenses
Projecting Business Expenses
Setting Income Targets
Setting Your Base Hourly Rate
Setting Goals
Setting up a Fee Structure
Other Fees to Consider
Creating Rate Sheets
Flexibility is Key

Session 5: Planning Your Business

Creating a Business Plan
The One-Page Plan
The Formal Plan
Checklist for Setting Up Your Business
Developing Your Business Structure
Choosing Office Space
Designing Your Contact Information
Creating Promotional Materials
Gathering Resources

Session 6: Test Driving

Making Connections
Financial Projections
Creating Your Brand
Developing Your Business Structure
Choosing Office Space
Designing Your Contact Information
Creating Promotional Materials
What Do You Think?

Session 7: Creating a Sales and Marketing Strategy

The Marketing Cycle
Cycle Overview
Looking at the Steps: Stage One
Looking at the Steps: Stage Two
Looking at the Steps: Stage Three
Looking at the Steps: Stage Four
Looking at the Steps: Stage Five
Looking at the Steps: Stage Six
Leveraging Social Media
Incorporating Social Media
Getting Noticed
Opportunities to Consider

Session 8: Getting the Work Done

Identifying Sources of Work
Developing Contracts and Statements of Work
About Master Service Agreements
Developing a Statement of Work
Sample Statement of Work, Part One
Sample Statement of Work, Part Two
The Tough Stuff
Dealing with Cancellations
Firing a Client
Staying Current

Session 9: A Personal Action Plan

Starting Point
Where I Want to Go
How I Will Get There
Summary
Recommended Reading List
Post-Course Assessment