How wishful thinking can be dangerous to your business
It seems that starting a business has never been easier. Social media and crowd funding are just a couple of the developments that have eased the way for entrepreneurs. With online tools, an entrepreneur can now set up shop and …
December 30, 2022 |
Knowledge |
Denise Gifford
these 14 questions will help you assess the strength of the relationship
Developing a partnership with your client—one built on mutual trust and understanding—is essential for establishing a long-term working relationship. If you aren’t trusted, your advice won’t be trusted. If you don’t understand the client as a person, you won’t know …
new business ideas can be hard to come by, but these strategies are a good place start
For many, starting their own business seems like a wonderful dream, but it may also feel unattainable. Becoming your own boss, determining your own future, and having more freedom are some of the many attractions. In fact, most people have …
September 17, 2022 |
Insights |
Denise Gifford
specialization paired with brand identity will help you compete
If you had just a few minutes to convince a potential customer that you’re the perfect person for their freelance opportunity, what would you say? Which skills make you unique? Do you know your own value, and can you express …
the worst of times might actually be the smartest time to launch your company
Starting a business during a recession may not seem like a great idea, but in fact it just might be the best time to launch your new venture. Companies such as Airbnb, Uber, and Venmo started during the recession that …
these 7 tricks might convert your stalemate into a renewed relationship
If you’ve ever played chess, you know that sometimes you and your partner reach a “stalemate.” A stalemate is a position in which no action can be taken. You’ve likely experienced negotiating situations in life where there has been a …
learning from each gig and client should be part of your process
Becoming a better consultant isn’t something that has to be a major effort. Instead, it’s all about small, subtle changes in focus. It means highlighting areas where incremental improvement can lead to big payoffs, and using what you’re already doing …
These 13 questions will help you navigate difficulties and disagreements
Clients and consultants sometimes encounter difficulties when they don’t share a common understanding of how to improve a situation. They may not have a clear handle on the goals. The client might have a better understanding of their business than …
November 23, 2020 |
Insights |
Helen S. Cooke
How to find opportunity when the job market is unpredictable
This is a down market. Jobs are hard to come by, competition is fierce, and even while some jobs are opening up again, there are far fewer than before the slump. So how do you keep your focus and build …
our models of employment don’t work like they used to
In the decades before the gig worker boom, labor law concerned itself almost exclusively with people working either as employees or independent contractors. Those categories define how workers are regulated, taxed, what protections apply to them and the products of …
It’s all about communication
Consultants work with their clients to provide advice and support. Whether it’s just a short-term project or a consulting engagement lasting over many years, the best consultants know how to add value to the client relationship. They understand that the …
Change can be difficult. Here are ways to make it happen.
One of the challenges of being a consultant is helping your client make needed or desired changes. Consultants can identify the required change, but they don’t have direct control over its implementation. They need to work with their clients as …