- Paperback: 248 pages
- Publisher: Financial Times/ Prentice Hall; 1 edition (25 Oct 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0273713558
- ISBN-13: 978-0273713555
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.6 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 431,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
'This is a practical and essential guide for anyone contemplating establishing their own business. Johnson captures all the key elements which allow a successful transition and is very clear about what can send you off track. Grounded in common-sense and humour.’
Norman Walker, former global head of Human Resources for Novartis, now an independent senior executive coach and consultant on leadership.
‘I wish this book had been available when I began my independent career. There’s only one word for it – PRICELESS!!!’
Shay McConnon, psychologist, trainer, coach and mentor.
Chances are that if you've picked up this book you are at least thinking about taking the big step of going it alone. Well, you've come to the right place. This book is about both getting you ready to be a successful independent consultant and, once you're set, developing your business and staying the course. Many go-it-alone consultants fail within two years, so if you're serious about becoming a successful independent you'll need all the help you can get. Smarter Consulting offers you practical, hands-on advice from people who've been there and who have survived to tell the tale.
Smarter Consulting will talk you through everything you need to do to get started from the planning phases, to selling your business offer to setting up your own business. You can also find out whether you’re cut out for independent consultancy with its unique self-assessment quiz so that you can test the water before you take any risks.
Smarter Consulting will give you all the essential guidance you need on every aspect of setting up as an independent consultant including:
· How do I market myself?
· How can I get repeat business from my clients?
· How do I win new clients?
· What should I charge and what do I need to do to make sure I get paid on time?
· When can I put my prices up?
· Can I work from home?
· How much will I need to invest?
· How shall I organise my time?
If you never want to work for somebody else again, you need Smarter Consulting
About the Author
Mike Johnson is the managing partner of Johnson & Associates, a corporate communications firm that he founded in 1982 in Brussels and London, following a career in journalism and corporate communication for multinational corporations. His work today centres around talent management, organisational development and corporate communication for private and public organisations. He is the author of nine books on business and management issues, including Winning the People Wars, Talent Magnet and The New Rules of Engagement. He has developed a series of World of Work studies for the Financial Times and The Economist. Mike is a regular at conferences and seminars around the globe, at which he lectures on emerging issues and trends in the world of work and he is the founder of the Independent, Global think-tank and The Future Work Forum.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I can't recommend it enough to anyone thinking about leaving the security of the corporate world and going it alone as an independent consultant or freelancer. I read the author's first book on this subject a couple of years ago and found this new version by chance when looking for a copy of the old one for a friend. Interestingly, I couldn't find the fact that this book had previously been published with a different title anywhere in the blurb or on the cover, so if you've already got The Independent Consultant's Survival Guide (no longer available) then be aware that this book is about 2/3rds the same. That said, the new version is about 30% bigger and has three new chapters, and a supporting website so I bought a copy for myself as well my friend and it was worth it.
How good is it? Well I took a lot of his advice when I read the last book two years ago and I'm still in business and not even thinking of going back "in house". First off, the book is an easy read but not in a lightweight way - it is packed full of useful tips and hard advice. That's one of the things I like about it - it's not full of "anyone can do it - live your dream" encouragement - it tells you the hard bits and forces you to ask if you're really cut out for life outside the organization. It points out that the life of a self employed consultant is fantastic fun and very rewarding but also hard work at times. One of the hardest bits for anyone who has never been in a sales role before is learning how to sell yourself and set your fees - this book is worth the price for these sections alone. If you're serious about trying to go it alone - or if you have and you're thinking about going back inside - read this book and take his advice - and good luck.
1/03/2010 - PS This book has now been re-published for the third time with it's third different title. It is now called Starting Up on Your Own: How to Succeed as an Independent Consultant or Freelance. From what I could see looking at it in a bookshop the other day the new version is exactly the same as this one (at least as far as I can see) but I think the tax stuff has been updated. Still a very useful book and highly recommended.
How good is it? Well I took a lot of his advice when I read the last book two years ago and I'm still in business and not even thinking of going back "in house". First off, the book is an easy read but not in a lightweight way - it is packed full of useful tips and hard advice. That's one of the things I like about it - it's not full of "anyone can do it - live your dream" encouragement - it tells you the hard bits and forces you to ask if you're really cut out for life outside the organization. It points out that the life of a self employed consultant is fantastic fun and very rewarding but also hard work at times. One of the hardest bits for anyone who has never been in a sales role before is learning how to sell yourself and set your fees - this book is worth the price for these sections alone. If you're serious about trying to go it alone - or if you have and you're thinking about going back inside - read this book and take his advice - and good luck.
1/03/2010 - PS This book has now been re-published for the third time with it's third different title. It is now called Starting Up on Your Own: How to Succeed as an Independent Consultant or Freelance. From what I could see looking at it in a bookshop the other day the new version is exactly the same as this one (at least as far as I can see) but I think the tax stuff has been updated. Still a very useful book and highly recommended.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book is both practical and entertaining. I have been an independent consultant for many years, but I discovered some useful tips that I can use. And the book is fun to read - lots of amusing anecdotes that make Smarter Consulting an interesting read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mike Johnson's Smarter Consulting guide tells it like it is. Very good advice on both the practical and the emotional journey to professional independence. The author speaks from experience - both his own and those of his many friends and professional colleagues - which makes this "manual" so credible and useful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very Good and Easy Read
I liked this book.
I found it easy to read - I liked his style of writing (which is a tad like mine, I'll admit)
What is actually surprising is how few books there are... Read more
I found it easy to read - I liked his style of writing (which is a tad like mine, I'll admit)
What is actually surprising is how few books there are... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by David L
Weak
If you're just starting up this book may offer some assistance but for an experienced consultant it lacks content or any new ideas for business development or anything else.
Published on 2 Dec 2009 by Turnips
A surprisingly easy read
For a reference book this is a refreshingly easy read. Smart consultancy doesn't necessarily draw the reader as anything other than a dry topic, but this is written in a manner... Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2009 by Hilly
Encouragingly discouraging
In an engaging style, the book tests your resolve at the beginning before letting you further in. There is nothing over-sold. Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by K. Steventon
Smarter Consulting, an excellent read
I have really enjoyed this book it gets straight to the point and gives very valuable insights into starting and running a consulting practice.
Published on 18 Mar 2009 by Mr. T. J. S. Goligher
Paint by numbers consulting
I purchased Mike's book because like many I'm stepping out into the world of consulting my own. I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised, I found the book not... Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by Michael Douglas
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