Getting Started in Consulting Book Summary - Getting Started in Consulting Book explained in key points
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Getting Started in Consulting summary

Get a Head Start in the Lucrative Consultancy Business

3.5 (51 ratings)
18 mins

Brief summary

Getting Started in Consulting by Alan Weiss is a guide to launching a successful consulting practice. It provides tips on building relationships, setting fees, and delivering high-quality service to clients. It emphasizes the importance of confidence, value, and results.

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    Getting Started in Consulting
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    Make a good start on your journey as a consultant by saving and planning.

    Have you ever thought of going into consulting? It’s a fine idea. Consultants often have highly lucrative careers. Yet, many of those who attempt to leap into the profession don’t make it; they attempt to start a consultancy and fail miserably. Why?

    Usually it’s because they didn’t make a strong start. If you want your business to succeed, you’ve got to take a few key steps. First, you must ensure you’ve got the time and money that your business needs to get off the ground.

    It takes about six to twelve months to get a consultancy up and running, and this time must be entirely devoted to consulting. During this period, financial rewards are usually meager. But by setting enough money aside to keep yourself afloat, you can make it through this tough initial stage without a hitch.

    To be able to save enough funds in the first place, you’ll need to plan ahead. Reduce your monthly expenses as much as you’re reasonably able to, and calculate how much money you’ll need to support yourself for a year. Then, based on your estimated needs, establish a fund for that year. Possible sources include home equity, savings, credit lines or family.

    As you establish your business, the planning doesn’t stop. The key to dealing with time pressure is prioritization. The most effective way to prioritize is simple: make a list of all the tasks, professional and personal, that you need to accomplish. Then, complete each one when you’re in the best mood or position to do so.  

    Another great way to lighten your workload is by delegating as many tasks as you can. If there are tasks on your to-do lists that will take up vast amounts of time, or if they require skills you lack, then pass them on to someone you trust.

    And then there’s the material aspect of your consultancy. Find out more in the next blink!

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    What is Getting Started in Consulting about?

    Getting Started in Consulting (2009) is the go-to guidebook for budding consultants. From finding your footing and learning about legal matters to mastering the dual art of marketing and branding, these blinks outline every step on your journey to building a strong consultancy firm – and maintaining it, too.

    Getting Started in Consulting Review

    Getting Started in Consulting (2010) is a comprehensive guide for anyone considering a career in consulting. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • The book provides practical tips and advice on how to start a successful consulting business, giving readers a clear roadmap to follow.
    • Backed by the author's years of experience in the industry, it offers valuable insights and real-world examples to help readers navigate the consulting world.
    • With its engaging anecdotes and relatable stories, the book keeps readers captivated, ensuring that the topic of consulting never becomes dull or monotonous.

    Who should read Getting Started in Consulting?

    • Experts interested in a lucrative career change
    • New consultants seeking time-tested advice
    • Established consultants looking to polish their skills

    About the Author

    Alan Weiss is the founder of Summit Consulting Group and has penned more than 50 books, including Getting Started in Consulting and Million Dollar Referrals. In addition to being named among the National Speaker Association’s top one percent of the world’s best public speakers, he has also consulted for innumerable companies, consistently earning more than $1 million per year.

     

    [Alan Weiss: Getting Started in Consulting] copyright [2009], John Wiley & Sons [Inc. or Ltd. as applicable] Used by permission of John Wiley & Sons [Inc. or Ltd. as applicable] and shall not be made available to any unauthorized third parties.

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    Getting Started in Consulting FAQs 

    What is the main message of Getting Started in Consulting?

    The main message of Getting Started in Consulting is how to successfully start a consulting business.

    How long does it take to read Getting Started in Consulting?

    The estimated reading time for Getting Started in Consulting is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Getting Started in Consulting a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Getting Started in Consulting is a valuable read for anyone interested in starting a consulting business. It provides practical insights and guidance for success.

    Who is the author of Getting Started in Consulting?

    The author of Getting Started in Consulting is Alan Weiss.

    What to read after Getting Started in Consulting?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Getting Started in Consulting, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Consultant’s Handbook by Samir Parikh
    • Flawless Consulting by Peter Block
    • Million Dollar Consulting by Alan Weiss
    • Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng
    • Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    • When McKinsey Comes to Town by Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe
    • The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman
    • The Art of Explanation by Ros Atkins
    • The Five Most Important Questions You Will Ever Ask About Your Organization by Peter F. Drucker
    • The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga