2023

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Figuring Out Your Billing Rate as an Independent Consultant

Successful Independent Consulting

Photo 2930678 | Rate © Shirley Hu | Dreamstime.com Too many solopreneurs undercharge for their expertise. They don’t know to add a hefty margin to cover things like self-employment tax, business expenses, health insurance, and nonbillable time spent on business administration. Or they haven’t raised their rates consistently over time, or they haven’t switched to a fixed fee.

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5 Notes to Ensure Your Consulting Firm’s Recommendations Resonate

David A Fields

When your consulting firm delivers recommendations well, your clients appreciate your work and compliment you. When your recommendations are delivered with the nuance and power of a John Williams score (e.g., Star Wars, ET, Harry Potter, Jaws, etc.), your clients love your work, their trust in your consulting firm blossoms, they find more ways to … Continued The post 5 Notes to Ensure Your Consulting Firm’s Recommendations Resonate appeared first on David A.

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Communicating With Executives So They Get It

Leadership Planning with Liz Weber CMC

Four times in the last two weeks, I’ve been asked to help a client or their management team hone their communication skills so they better understand one another and so their meetings and strategic planning update sessions are ‘tighter’ and more productive. In various ways each client said, “Help! We’re drowning! We’ve got too […] The post Communicating With Executives So They Get It appeared first on Weber Business Services, LLC.

Meeting 112
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Understanding Your Target Market: Discovery Calls

Tom Spencer

Most entrepreneurs and product managers (PMs) know that they need to find out what people want. In this article, we will look at how to conduct what is called ‘ customer development ’ – the process through which a business comes to understand the needs, pain points, and behavior of potential customers through direct conversation and feedback. Customer development is often carried out through discovery calls, made over the phone or by video call, or it can be done in person.

Marketing 166
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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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How to Price Your Consulting Projects High… But Not TOO High

David A Fields

Correctly pricing your consulting firm’s projects is like positioning a balloon in an unlit room made of nails. I’m not sure why such a room would exist or how you would get the balloon in there, but go with me on this one. On the pricing floor of the room are the rusty nails that … Continued The post How to Price Your Consulting Projects High… But Not TOO High appeared first on David A.

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The Value of Continuous Learning: Strategies for Lifelong Skill Development

Clarity Consultants

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, where technological advancements and market dynamics are constantly changing, the concept of continuous learning has become vital for individuals and organizations. Fostering a culture of continuous learning within organizations boosts employee engagement and satisfaction and fuels innovation, growth, and long-term success.

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8 Essential Qualities of Successful Leaders

Harvard Business

Becoming a great leader is a journey of continuous learning and growth. It’s a process — one that thrives on embracing challenges, seeking feedback, fostering connections, and cultivating understanding. In this article, the author outlines the eight most essential leadership qualities, according to Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill, one of the world’s top experts on leadership.

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Endings and Beginnings

Chad Barr

As the year draws to a close, many of us reflect on the past months, taking stock of our triumphs and missteps. The media floods our screens with retrospectives, highlighting the achievements and challenges of both the famous and the unsung. But amidst this deluge of recollections, we must ask ourselves: What truly resonates with us? What personal milestones have we marked, and what aspirations do we hold for the year ahead?

Travel 98
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Middle Management Guideline: Only Plan for as Long As Your Management Can Commit

Johanna Rothman

Sherry, a middle manager in a relatively small organization, said, “We can’t plan for an entire quarter at a time. Our managers need to change what they want more often than that. But I'd like to plan for a quarter at a time and I really don't want to ask people to multitask. What do I do?” “How long can the managers commit to their decisions?

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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 to Create Partnerships Instead of Using Stakeholders

Johanna Rothman

Strategy and Product Feedback Loops About 20 years ago, I taught a project management workshop to IT people. Their products and services did not ship outside the building—their products and services enabled the organization to make money. During that workshop, the participants all had the same question, “How do we engage our stakeholders?

How To 125
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How to Use Storytelling to Ignite Transformation with Joy Spencer

Consulting Matters

Get ready for a powerful conversation about creating your success by being yourself and using your story to ignite transformation in your consulting and coaching clients! Today, we’re wrapping up my mini-storytelling series with my guest Joy Spencer. She is a powerful storyteller. Initially, I wanted Joy on the show to share her tips and best practices on how to tell compelling stories.

How To 290
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What Clients Look for When Hiring a Solopreneur

Successful Independent Consulting

After decades of working with some of the worlds’ best consultants, coaches, and solopreneurs, I’ve assembled a list of qualities that contribute to their success. You don’t need to check all these boxes, but if any strike a chord with you, weave them into your marketing, such as your website, LinkedIn profile, presentations, and proposals. □ Credible: You inspire trust and confidence from the first contact. □ Experienced: You’re an expert in your field not just based on x number of years, but a

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Applied Behavioral Economics Rule of Thumb #6: Tap Into the Power of Thinking Architecture Tools To Help People With Decisions

Steve Shu Consulting

Yesterday I outlined five primary areas of behavioral architecture that we would cover during the academic semester. Two prominent ones we covered included choice architecture (e.g., how choices are presented, such as with respect to defaults and number of choice options) and information architecture (e.g., how information is presented, such as percent of salary versus pennies for every dollar you earn).

Tools 195
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How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

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Essential skills for the solo consultant

Jacq Hackett Consulting

The essential art of listening well Being a consultant is a very particular role. You are invited into an organisation to provide expert advice, sometimes at a difficult time, or when it is faced with a complex issue it has been unable to resolve with in-house resources. Your job is to provide that ‘expert advice’.

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Your Brand vs. Your Consulting Firm’s Brand. Which Should Win?

David A Fields

A senior colleague at your consulting firm keynotes Cacao Jam, the cacao dessert industry’s annual conference. As she wraps up her inspiring tale of the modern workplace melting pot, the audience rises to its feet. She basks in the thunderous applause and the glow of the spotlight framing her against the chocolatey brown backdrop. You … Continued The post Your Brand vs.

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Coaching Vs Consulting: What’s The Difference? (With Examples)

Consulting Success

Coaching vs consulting: what are the differences and similarities? In a nutshell… A coach focuses on asking questions and helping the person that they’re working with form their own answers. They also provide accountability to the person they’re coaching. That person is an individual who may or may not be a part of an organization. Coaching Vs Consulting: What’s The Difference?

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IQVIA Interview: Secrets to Landing Your Dream Job

Management Consulted

So, you’ve set your sights on a career at IQVIA? Well, get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey! IQVIA, the leading global provider of advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services, is renowned for its top-notch talent and… Read Article The post IQVIA Interview: Secrets to Landing Your Dream Job appeared first on Management Consulted.

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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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The Transformative Power of AI in Business

Tom Spencer

In the digital age, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to gain a competitive edge and streamline their operations. One technology that is revolutionizing the business landscape is artificial intelligence (AI). From enhancing customer experiences to optimizing decision-making processes, AI is reshaping the way businesses operate and opening up new possibilities for growth.

Data 147
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The Role of Cognitive Load Theory in Corporate Learning

Clarity Consultants

Continuous learning is essential for individual and organizational success. As companies increasingly turn to eLearning platforms to facilitate employee training and development, it’s crucial to understand the cognitive processes at play. Let’s look into the fascinating world of Cognitive Load Theory and explore how it impacts learning from a corporate perspective.

Exercises 115
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From Great Ideas to Implementation

Leadership Planning with Liz Weber CMC

After months of conducting industry research, several work sessions, debates, conversations, and meetings with industry leaders as well as with front-line team members, a client’s new strategic plan is complete. They’ve received board approval. They’ve just completed a leadership summit in which they shared their new plan with the rest of the management team and […] The post From Great Ideas to Implementation appeared first on Weber Business Services, LLC.

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How Product Risks Differ from Project Risks

Johanna Rothman

Up until now, when thinking about risks, I defaulted to the risks in the project pyramid. That's because each project offers different value over the product's lifetime. (See Product Roles, Part 4: Product Orientation and the Role of Projects for images of why we want ever-increasing product value, but why we might space the projects out.) If we understand our boundaries and constraints, we can trade off the various risks in the project.

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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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Plan for 2024 While Enjoying the Holidays with Stephanie Anderson Ladd

Consulting Matters

Tips to prepare your business for a restful holiday season and a prosperous new year Imagine this: It’s January. You re-engage with your business and client work excited and ready to create greater success and impact in the new year. You look back on your time off and smile at the memories you created. You were fully present with all the holiday festivities and took advantage of your well-deserved downtime (i.e., the reason you became an entrepreneur in the first place, right?

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Use ChatGPT to Boost Your Productivity as a Consultant

Successful Independent Consulting

Image generated by AI using a free version of Canva Of course you’ve heard of ChatGPT but are you using it to work smarter and more efficiently yet? If not, you should be! Recently the Professional Independent Consultants of America (PICA) hosted a members-only roundtable discussion to help people jumpstart their use of this powerful tool. Special thanks to Alexis Hultine of Digital by Design , and Dave Seaton of SeatonCX for leading the session and sharing their insights.

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Applied Behavioral Economics Rule of Thumb #5: Recognize the Possibilities and Perils of Anchors

Steve Shu Consulting

Although I’m no expert in boats, whether you anchor from the bow or stern can have a big impact on outcomes. Do it the right way (based on the design of the boat), you can keep your boat roughly confined to an area. Do it the wrong way, and you could flood, capsize, or sink your boat. When the anchor is up (e.g., removed from use), there are possibilities with a skilled person taking the boat out to new destinations.

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Servant Leadership: The Antidote to Toxic Workplaces

Rick Conlow

Servant Leadership is the antidote to toxic workplaces. Unfortunately, toxic offices, plants, stores, and managers abound. Too often companies take advantage of employees and treat them as lower class citizens. Employees want and need leaders who are humane, empathetic and skilled in emotional intelligence. Managers of the future will have the people skills to lead highly productive and engaging hybrid work teams.

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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