Here is a quote from Dr. Alan Weiss (the Million Dollar Consultant) in his recent newsletter. I could not agree more! “Businesses of all sizes need external expertise these days. They can’t solve their own problems or ensure their own innovation any more than a patient can operate on his or her own appendix or […]
This post was written in response to a recent troll attack on Bob Bly, fellow engineer turned highly successful copywriter and author. This is also an update to a favorite post done way back in 2012, when first trolled at JumpToConsulting. Trolls, by their very nature, are unsuccessful losers. If they were successful, they would not […]
Courtesy of my consulting gigs… 71 VW Convertible… Although semi-retired here, I still teach classes in my engineering speciality. Very satisfying to share my experience and knowledge, plus it brings in “fun money.” So when I parked next to this VW (with a for sale […]
Here is a reply to a post by Cubert at Abandoned Cubicle regarding layoffs… which somehow seems appropriate for Labor Day… Best damn thing that happened to me – twice. The first time got me thinking about starting my own business — the second time (a dozen years are) cinched it. Thirty+ years of running my […]
So asked fellow blogger Cubert at Abandoned Cubicle in a recent post. Cubert is a 40 something engineer who is (by design) a year from Financial Independence and retirement. In this post, he expresses concerns about being bored and more in retirement. Perfectly normal to get the jitters as one approaches the cliff. Remember the same […]
Once again, it is time to reflect on Independence., and the price others have paid to secure it for all of us. It is why we celebrate the Fourth of July. Consulting can also lead to Personal Independence (PI.) It has for me in three ways: —Occupational Independence (OI) – This was the big attraction for me. […]
Wonder how many times I’ve said that? Enough that I told Mary (my wife) that she can add that to my headstone 🙂 Yes, not everything I’ve tried worked out as hoped. But enough worked more than well enough. Had I never tried, however, I would not be where I am today. Support helps. More […]
Here is a comment I made over at Abandoned Cubicle regarding making more money from your cubicle job. I mentioned Cubert once before, as he quietly (and anonomously) plots his course towards Financial Independence. In this post, Cubert recommends negotiating your salary. Many people (particularly engineers like Cubert and me) can be reluctant to do so. […]
Sometimes just saying NO is the best thing you can do. It worked for me when at a career fork in the road 33 years ago. The post was inspired by Cubert at Abandoned Cublicle. Cubert is a young family man on his quest to financial independence, who blogs about his journey. For obvious reasons, […]
Picked this quote up from a consulting blog I follow: We learn from the top 10% of our highest performing clients. For the other 90% of clients, we need to lead. While the author is a management consultant (and self-proclaimed non-technologist), it also applies to technical consultants. P.S. Keep learning. And remember to feed BOTH […]
Here is a link to a recent fee study by Consulting Success. While this blog focuses on general business consulting, technical consultants should find this of use as well. FYI, typical fees at Kimmel Gerke Associates were project based. Typical projects were in the $5,000 – $20,000 range and up. Typical annual compensations exceeded our […]
Here is a reply I left at one of my favorite blogs/web sites — Pamela Slim — a champion of starting and building small businesses (not just consulting.) In her post, Pamela discusses how to react after a “stumble,” including her own examples. She asked for comments, so I shared mine: One of the best […]
Probably the NUMBER ONE QUESTION if you are standing on the edge of the cliff, about ready to make your own JumpToConsulting. So, what if it doesn’t work? The brother of Go-Daddy founder Bob Parsons once told him, “Well, if it doesn’t work, they can’t eat you.” Parsons is now a billionaire. Incidentally, web registration […]
As we begin a new year, it is time to reflect. Here are some thoughts on choices. We all make choices in life. Among other things, I chose consulting — it did not happen by chance. I’ve long been inspired by this popular quote: Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took […]
This post was inspired by “A Letter to Young Women, in the Age of Trump”. Very well said, but sadly, too many comments by trolls reflected the bullying Trump mentality. One piece of advice she offered: Think about starting your own thing. This is what’s exciting; we have the ability to start our own businesses […]
Bigger than you think. According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, between 20-30% of the working population in the US and Europe are free lancers (doing gigs.) That translates to over 160 million people. Not too shabby, I’d say. Rather than wade through the 148 page study, check out this latest post at […]
This post was inspired by “Fear and Loathing in Sales” at Trusted Advisor. The author addresses the irrational fear that professionals often have about selling. I once shared that fear. But realizing that if I wanted to be in business for myself, I needed to overcome that fear – or at least get some experience. […]
Scored the hat-trick*… meeting THREE of my favorite bloggers/authors/philosophers all in one week. How great is that? Chris Gullibeau – Art of Non Conformity – Chris was in town promoting his latest book, Born For This, already #5 on the NY Times nonfiction list.(To be reviewed in a future post.) Like his earlier two books, […]
It was a year ago this month that my business partner passed away from cancer. To say the past year was stressful would be an understatement. Bill and I were good friends and business partners for almost 40 years. I miss him every day. But life goes on. The fog is lifting, and the paths ahead […]
You’re intrigued by consulting, but you’re bored with your job. The idea of the same old grind has little appeal. So what else might you try? Ask yourself, “What excited me at ten years old?” Many of you pursued a career that really didn’t interest you, but did it because it was the “right” thing […]
