August, 2017

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Why Friends Don't Let Friends W-2

Successful Independent Consulting

"As an independent consultant, does it matter how I get paid?” Absolutely! In the U.S., being paid on a 1099 tax basis as a business instead of on a W-2 tax basis like a temp worker makes a huge difference to your profitability for two key reasons: You pay less tax. You save more for retirement. Here’s how I figured this out. Several years ago, as an independent consultant I did my taxes two ways using TurboTax® software.

Agile 265
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Should You Hire a Dedicated Salesperson for Your Consulting Firm?

David A Fields

As a consultant who leads a boutique or solo consulting firm, you’re neither trained nor all that interested in being a salesperson. You want to solve problems and work with clients. Wouldn’t it be better to just hire someone who is a professional at sales to drum up new consulting business?

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Google’s Secret Formula for Management? Doing the Basics Well

Harvard Business

Steven Moore for HBR. Google has opened its trove of management processes to one and all, for free. It might not feel that surprising — after all, Google has created plenty of free tools for the world to use, from internet search to email. Management tools may not seem that different. And it also follows Google’s many years of work in people analytics.

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Summer Micro-Learning Series: Don’t Miss Out On Video

Clarity Consultants

Micro-Learning is an immensely powerful learning and development tool. If you aren’t already bringing it into your professional development programs, especially paired with mobile learning, summer is the perfect time to try it out. What micro-learning comes down to, is taking a complex skill or lesson and breaking it down into smaller, more consumable pieces.

Video 189
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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Top 10 Consulting Firms in London, UK

Management Consulted

Welcome to another rendition of the Management Consulted top consulting firms list. This time, it’s one of your favorite cities in the world, where Big Ben stands tall. London’s calling – so enjoy! 1. McKinsey & Company: McKinsey London helps … Continued. The post Top 10 Consulting Firms in London, UK appeared first on Management Consulted.

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Contractor, Consultant, or Both: It Matters!

Successful Independent Consulting

With the rise of the free agent nation and gig economy , there’s rampant confusion around the terms contractor, consultant, and independent contractor. If you are a self-employed consultant, you don’t want to be a contractor but do want to be an independent contractor. This article explains why. Contractor or Consultant How you perceive yourself matters because it influences how others perceive you.

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Affirmations are Baloney. Here’s the Real Consulting Confidence Builder

David A Fields

If you recite, “I’m worthy of success” every morning, will your consulting business grow? Not likely. Instead, adopt the three mindset techniques below that can make a real difference. Your attitude is critically important to your success and, of course, your personal happiness. Recent research reveals that a positive outlook precedes heightened productivity and accomplishment.

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When to Listen to a Dire Warning

Harvard Business

Richard Clarke, former counterterrorism adviser to U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, has made a career of investigating disaster warnings. The way he sees it, catastrophes can happen at any time, so why should decision makers ignore a Cassandra? Now a cybersecurity firm CEO, Clarke is an expert at figuring out who is a conspiracy theorist and who is a credible source.

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The Agile Effect:  What are the Benefits and Costs Moving to an Agile Methodology?

Clarity Consultants

The agile corporate-learning business model has been getting a lot of attention in recent times. Companies are seeing the benefits of a more agile production, design, and even leadership development programs. But an agile model isn’t for everyone. Here are some of the benefits and some of the costs to moving to an agile methodology. The post The Agile Effect: What are the Benefits and Costs Moving to an Agile Methodology?

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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.

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5 Tips for Undergrads Wanting to Land a Consulting Internship

Management Consulted

So you’re an undergrad (maybe even a freshman, or God forbid a pre-freshman) and you have your heart set on landing a management consulting internship. What can you do now to set yourself up for success? While we didn’t have nearly as … Continued. The post 5 Tips for Undergrads Wanting to Land a Consulting Internship appeared first on Management Consulted.

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A Consultant’s Guide to Crisis Management with Jonathan Bernstein: Podcast #6

Consulting Success

Preparing for crisis before it hits can protect your consulting business from everything from criticism to collapse. Description: On this episode of Consulting Success, I’m joined by Jonathan Bernstein of Bernstein Crisis Management. Jonathan is the author of “The Manager’s Guide to Crisis Management,” a great book that provides the basic skills and knowledge to deal with the crises that inevitably occur in any business, no matter the size.

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Book Review: Practicing Lean

Markovitz Consulting

I just finished reading Practicing Lean , edited by Mark Graban. It's one of the most refreshing lean books I've read in a long time, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who is, well, practicing lean in their organizations. The book is an anthology with contributions by (as of this post) 16 different authors. It's the variety in tone, content, and style that really gives the book its charm.

Tools 113
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3.5 Tips for Work/Life Balance for Consultants

David A Fields

As the leaders of small consulting firms, we’re entrepreneurial, ambitious and highly engaged in our work. That can easily slip into 24/7/365, always-on, workaholism. How do we establish some work/life balance? 3.

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PowerPoint Best Practices for Creating Stellar Presentations

Mastering data visualization in PowerPoint will help accelerate your career because it positions you as someone who can present data that drives business decisions forward. think-cell's PowerPoint Best Practices eBook was created specifically for professionals aiming to master the art and science of data-driven storytelling. What’s inside: Practical Insights: Uncover valuable tips for crafting engaging and persuasive presentations.

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How New Managers Can Send the Right Leadership Signals

Harvard Business

One of the most exciting and — sometimes anxiety-producing transitions in a career — comes when you move from being an individual contributor to becoming a manager. At this juncture, what you think, what you say, and how you show up — in effect, your leadership presence — can have a direct impact on those you are now leading and managing for the first time.

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Summer Micro-Learning Series: Don't Miss Out On Video

Clarity Consultants

Micro-Learning is an immensely powerful learning and development tool. If you aren’t already bringing it into your professional development programs, especially paired with mobile learning, summer is the perfect time to try it out. What micro-learning comes down to, is taking a complex skill or lesson and breaking it down into smaller, more consumable pieces.

Video 124
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Alternatives for Agile and Lean Roadmapping: Part 1, Think in Feature Sets

Johanna Rothman

Many teams and organizations try to create one-quarter roadmaps. Here are the problems I see: Teams spend a ton of time estimating what they might do and then they select what will fit into a quarter. They feel or are asked to commit to all that work. The product managers and project portfolio managers depend on the team finishing everything the team commits to.

Agile 77
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Stefan Drew on The Magic of Specializing So You Can Turn Requests for Work Away: Podcast #7

Consulting Success

Increasing your visibility, specializing, and cultivating relationships in your network are three of the most powerful ways to launch yourself toward consulting success. Description: My guest on this episode is UK-based consultant Stefan Drew, who is also known as the Marketing Magician. He works mainly in the education sector, but he has a wide breadth of experience — from international environmental organizations and national membership organizations to web design for local companies.

ROI 133
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Savings Consultants Are Needed in Today's Market More Than Ever

Savings Consultants are needed in today’s market more than ever. With an increase in expenses, businesses are looking for opportunities to save. Often unknown to businesses are savings in expense reduction, specialized tax savings, specialized savings including medical underpayments, health benefits cost reduction, zero cost processing, and more. Blue Coast Savings, with over 20 years in business, assists Savings Consultants in helping these companies move toward more profitable businesses.

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Liberate Your Team with Clearer Processes

Strategy+Business

How the right type of structure frees your employees from rework and hassles.

75
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Why You Should Take Your Consulting Firm Back to School

David A Fields

For the better part of two decades you entered a new course of formal education every year. That annual ritual probably ceased after you received your degree(s). Would reviving it elevate the success of your consulting firm? Absolutely.

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Health Care Providers Can Use Design Thinking to Improve Patient Experiences

Harvard Business

A hospital administrator recently talked to us about an issue that is all too common for patients: missed medical appointments. The story was about a woman named Mary (a pseudonym), a patient with a painful chronic condition who continually failed to keep her regular appointments. In an effort to better understand the problem at hand, the administrator tried to put herself in Mary’s shoes, and asked about her experience: Was there an issue with transportation?

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The Agile Effect:  What are the Benefits and Costs Moving to an Agile Methodology?

Clarity Consultants

The agile corporate-learning business model has been getting a lot of attention in recent times. Companies are seeing the benefits of a more agile production, design, and even leadership development programs. But an agile model isn’t for everyone. Here are some of the benefits and some of the costs to moving to an agile methodology.

Agile 124
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TOOLS and METHODOLOGIES for developing DECISION SUPPORT PACKAGES

This White Paper targets opportunities for Management to develop proficiency in the Decision Framing and Analyses element of input to Decision, & Risk Analyses for Major Project Funding Decisions.

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No Is Not A Four Letter Word

Women in Consulting

:: Join Pavlina Yanakieva and me this Thursday, 8/24 at Havana Restaurant in Walnut Creek for this month’s Women In Consulting East Bay luncheon , we will be discussing the challenges of living busy lives, and offer sustainable solutions for reclaiming your time, your sanity and your joy. If you’re like a lot of successful women leaders, you have a lot on your plate.

Tools 72
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How to maximize CRM in marketing services

SkillQuo

For any business to grow, this growth is determined by the products that the business is selling and the need that these commodities are assuaging for the customers. How your business interacts with current and potential customers will determine the profit increase over time. Similarly, quantifying customer satisfaction cannot be achieved without first collecting and analyzing all the data.

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Putting Humanity First in Our Organizations

Strategy+Business

Are we overcomplicating management and leadership and ignoring what makes us people?

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The Next Big Problem Your Consulting Firm Will Be Paid to Solve

David A Fields

Selling consulting business is easy when you’re an expert in a burning, urgent need that you’re clients are desperate to address. How do you identify the next, big consulting spend your clients will make? This one’s easy.

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Why You Need to Use Case Studies in Sales and Marketing (and How to Start Now)

Case studies are proof of successful client relations and a verifiable product or service. They persuade buyers by highlighting your customers' experiences with your company and its solution. In sales, case studies are crucial pieces of content that can be tailored to prospects' pain points and used throughout the buyer's journey. In marketing, case studies are versatile assets for generating business, providing reusable elements for ad and social media content, website material, and marketing c

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Stress Leads to Bad Decisions. Here’s How to Avoid Them

Harvard Business

A senior sales executive I’ll call Daniela was frustrated. She’d been working on delegating more to her team. To her dismay, many were struggling to take on the levels of freedom she’d offered — even though they’d asked for more responsibility. Exasperated, she vented to me, “I thought delegating was supposed to free me up to do more of my own job.

How To 138
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Is The Force With Your Change Management Plan?

Clarity Consultants

Change management is a powerful tool. It helps companies achieve their business goals by making decisions, taking action, and setting the direction for future development. There are a wide variety of different tools companies can use to build a successful change management plan. In today’s blog, we explore the Kurt Lewin’s Force Field Analysis as one particularly powerful strategic tool to help companies understand what’s needed to achieve successful change in both corporate and personal environ

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Leaders Network Retreat Provides Insights and Connections to Fuel for Business Growth

Women in Consulting

:: “In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.” Albert Camus. Turning away from the day-to-day “busy-ness” of running your business is critical to remembering why you started it and what you need to do to propel it forward. I am huge believer in regular and focused retreats because they have been critical in the success of my business.

Course 63