Resources

Here are some recommended resources — web sites & books, along with my comments. There are many more, but I think these are particularly useful to anyone contemplating a Jump to Consulting.

Please contact me if you have a favorite to recommend.

My New E-Book

Consulting for Geeks – A short collection of blog posts aimed at my technical colleagues. Published by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), my professional society. Released April 2018. Cost is $4.99 (2.99 for IEEE members.)

Consulting – Web Sites

bluepenguindevelopment.com -Michael Katz
Focus on marketing for small or solo professionals. Specializes in newsletters, but covers other marketing too. Numerous well done introductory courses. (My JTC newsletter based on his course use.)

www.bly.com – Bob Bly
Great marketing advice from a long time successful copywriter and fellow engineer. Author of 95 books. Sign up for Bob’s pithy newsletter.

simplemarketinganswers.com – Graham McGregor
More great marketing advice from a Kiwi (New Zealander) with 42 years in sales and marketing. Sign up for his newsletter too – you won’t regret it.

consultingsuccess.com – Michael Zipursky
Focus on small management consulting practices. Formerly consultingbuzz.com. Some paid content, some free.

www.summitconsulting.com – Alan Weiss
Focus on high level management consulting. Forums, courses, mentor programs, newsletters, and more. Author of 32 books. Blog atwww.contrarianconsulting.com

hingemarketing.com – Lee Frederickson, PhD
Focus on marketing and branding of larger growth oriented professional consulting firms, but useful stuff for small firms too. Programs (Hinge University), blogs, newsletter, and lots of free stuff too.

www.consultingfact.com – Learnondo
Focus on new MBA’s seeking management consulting positions with established firms (but not starting their own firm.) Guides, books, blog. Some paid, some free.

www.jumptoconsulting.com – Your Truly, of course!
Focus on how to start/buld/operate a small consulting practice, from a 30+ year consulting engineer. You are already here. Thanks for stopping by!

Careers & Life Styles – Web Sites

www.pamelaslim.com – Pamela Slim
Author of Escape from Cubicle Nation and more. If you are trying to figure out how to make your escape, visit here! A fellow Arizonan, former business consultant, and one of my very favorite people. Classes, guides, a great book by the same name, and more.

www.jobhuntersbible.com – Richard N. Bolles
By the author of What Color is Your Parachute? Although not specifically aimed at consulting, this classic is a very useful resource for career changers.

www.chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/ – Chris Gullibeau
Looking to change your life? Interested in world travel? You’ll find that, and more, discussed here. Several guides for sale. Author of the Art of Non-Conformity. Check out his free e-book 279 Days to World Domination.

www.locationindependent.com – Lea and Jonathon Woodward
How would you like to work from anywhere in the world? These “digital nomads” are doing just that, and will share their stories and advice with you here.

www.mrmoneymustache.com – Mr. Money Mustache
Want retire in 7-15 years? MMM, a fellow engineer, will show you how became financially independent at age 30. No gimmicks — just save 50-75% of your income and invest it. It CAN be done. Lots of good advice with the math to back it up. Fun to read.

ESI Money – Mr. “ESI”
Want to retire comfortably? ESI (Earn-Save-Invest) can help. Written by a 50-something retiree (not a consultant, but a former corporate CEO,) ESI shares insights on how to get there. Includes interviews of over 100 millionaires — most started with little or nothing, just as we did at JumpToConsulting. Good advice.

Small Business – Web Sites

www.startupprofessionals.com– Martin Zwilling
Great information from an experienced entrepreneur and investor from a fellow Arizonan. Daily blog plus book. A note to geeks — Martin was part of the original IBM PC project! Free blog at blog.startupprofessionals.com

www.bizstarters.com – Jeff Williams. Focuses on business startups for “baby boomers” (over 40.) Books and guides. Free blog at boomerbusinessowner.blogspot.com

www.guykawasaki.com – Guy Kawasaki
Popular site that links to his popular blogs. Author of 10 books, blogger, founder of several companies, and former technology evangelist at Apple.

www.sethgodin.com – Seth Godin
Last, but certainly not least, the granddaddy of small business/motivational/marketing blogs. Author of 12 books, entrepreneur, former Yahoo executive, speaker, and much more. Best of all — Seth is completely bald!

Retirement/Boomer – Websites

satisfyingretirement.blogspot.com/ – Bob Lowry
Great retirement advice from another fellow Arizona blogger. Bob had his own consulting business, but has been retired for a dozen years. Offers a great perspective if you are retired, or are considering it. Also the author of the e-book Living a Satisfying Retirement.

gotoretirement.com – Mark Patterson
A fellow EE who became a patent attorney, Mark is not yet retired but getting close. He shares his plans and concerns in his blog. As a professional, I suspect Mark will stay involved with his law practice at some level, just as I have with my engineering practice.

Consulting – Books

Million Dollar Consulting, Alan Weiss, McGraw Hill, 1992-2009.
Recently updated, this classic is a must-read for anyone considering consulting. One of 32 books now published by Dr. Weiss.

Value Based Fees, Alan Weiss, Pfeiffer, 2008
Another classic must-read with a focus on fee setting. Part of the Ultimate Consultant series.

Professional Services Marketing, Mike Schultz & John Doerr, Wiley, 2009
This book focuses on marketing, branding, and lead generation for professional practices.

Rainmaking Conversations, Mike Schultz & John Doerr, Wiley, 2011
A companion to the above, this book focuses on selling consulting services using their proven RAIN sales model.

Winning the Professional Services Sale, Michael W. McLaughlin, Wiley, 2009
A practical guide for face-to-face selling for consultants — large or small.

Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants, Jay Conrad Levinson & Michael W. McLaughlin, Wiley, 2005 – A joint effort by Michael McLaughlin and Jay Levinson, the originator of Guerrilla Marketing.

Rain Making, Ford Harding, Adams Media, 1994
An oldie but a goodie that focuses on sales/marketing for consulting firms. I ran across this while standing in line one day at Kinkos. Glad I bought it!

Shenson on Consulting, Howard L. Shenson, Wiley 1994
The last book published by the consultant’s consultant before his untimely passing. Although dated, anything written by Howard Shenson is worth reading. My original consulting mentor.

Careers & Life Styles – Books

Escape from Cubicle Nation, Pamela Slim, Penguin, 2009
A road map to occupational independence. Now a life-coach, formerly a consultant, and before that a corporate citizen, Pam has walked the walk. Great information you won’t find other places, such as how to tell your spouse you want to (shudder) break free.

Body of Work, Pamela Slim, Penguin, 2014
In Pam’s second book, she expands her focus to work in general – not just creating you own business. More great information if you are struggling to figure out what you should do next. A solid mix of practical ideas along with encouragement.

What Color is Your Parachute?, Richard N. Bolles, Ten Speed Press, 1970-2010 (Annual Update) This classic guide has sold over 10 million copies. This is THE guide for job seekers or career changers — including those considering consulting.

The Art of Non-Conformity, Chris Gullibeau, Perigree Books, 2010
By thirty five, Chris visited every country in the world. Plus he has never held a corporate job. If you are a free spirit, or would like to be one, read this book.

Enchantment, Guy Kawasaki, Portfolio/Penguin, 2011
The latest in a series of books from the original technology evangelist at Apple. A nice mix of motivation and nuts-and-bolts business advice. An easy read and very “enchanting.”

How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free, Ernie Zelinski, Ten Speed Press, 2007
Written by another free spirit (also author of The Joy of Not Working), this book should be of particularly interest to my fellow baby-boomers. Consulting may be your way to be happy, wild, and free in your retirement.

Small Business Books

Do You Have What it Takes to be an Entrepreneur?, Martin Zwilling, 2010.
A compilation of Marty’s best blog posts of the past few years. What a wealth of ideas and information! Very easy to read too.

Permission Marketing, Seth Godin, Simon & Schuster, 1999
One of many classics from Seth, this book describes the best ways to build customer communities, lists, and markets. An excellent guide.

Tribes, Seth Godin, Penguin, 2008
Another favorite, this book is a bit more philosophical than Permission Marketing, but worth the read. A small book filled with some big ideas.

Duct Tape Marketing, John Jantsch, Thomas Nelson, 2006
Although not focused on consulting, this book is chock full of ideas applicable to small business marketing.

The New Rules of Marketing & PR, David Meerman Scott, 2009
I think this will become a classic on marketing in the Internet age. Great details on using electronic media, blogging, and much more. Applies to businesses large and small.

The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida, Basic Books, 2002
Research results on creative professionals, including consultants. Where they live, what they prefer, social mores, and much more. Fascinating study.

The Great Reset, Richard Florida, Harper, 2010
Dr. Florida contrasts the recent recession with the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Long Depression of the 1870s. Positive prognosis. Very useful to consultants, particularly if you want a educated vision of where the economy might be heading.

The Millionaire Next Door, Tom Stanley & William Danko, Pocket, 1998
Research results on millionaires in America. The findings might surprise you — a very large share are small business owners, such as consultants. And most built their wealth slowly, a dollar at a time. Read it. Have your kids read it too!

Stop Acting Rich, and Start Living Like a Real Millionaire, Thomas Stanley PhD, Wiley, 2009 — An update to Stanley’s earlier book, with new research on the real millionaires in this country. A worthwhile read with lots of data. Have your kids read this one too.