:: You're doing great work. Adding huge value to your clients. Now is the time to get feedback and ask for that testimonial. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to ask for and craft a winning testimonial. Step 1: Invite for Coffee/Lunch Go for coffee or lunch. Do it in person (or video call) so you can ask follow up questions and read body language. Make it painless for them: don't send your clients a survey to fill out or ask them to answer questions via email. Include in your invitation that … [Read more...]
Ever Wonder How ProFinder & Upwork Could Help your Practice?
August 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment
:: Recently, the South Bay members of Women in Consulting gathered over lunch to discuss how members can leverage Upwork and LinkedIn Profinder in their consulting practice. Co-host Angel Rampy moderated the panel and shared her own experience with LinkedIn Profinder: “It landed me a one-year coaching gig with a big social media organization. But I want to learn how to do more of that.” For those new to freelance work exchanges: LinkedIn Profinder allows companies and individuals to post … [Read more...]
California Supreme Court Ruling Impacts Independent Consulting and Subcontracting – Keep It Legal!
July 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
:: Two months ago, the California Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in the case Dynamex Operations West Inc. v. Superior Court that is likely to result in it being harder to qualify as an independent contractor, as well as more difficult to legally hire subcontractors to help you with your work. More than ever, it’s critical that self-employed consultants and their subcontractors take steps to maximum their chances to pass what is likely to become a stricter vendor compliance process. … [Read more...]
Judy Dang on Work Overload
June 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Do you suffer from being overwhelmed? Too much to do that you don't know where to start? Designer and productivity consultant Judy Dang offers a way to get unstuck. She's the guest speaker at the next Women in Consulting South Bay Lunch and Learn on Monday, July 9th, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jctWmQwh56Y&feature=youtu.be To find out more about bringing this workshop to your office, get in touch: AvidAtWork.com. … [Read more...]
Join us June 21 – Insights from the 2018 Best Practices Survey Results
June 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
:: Women In Consulting’s June 21 general meeting outlines the key findings of our latest Best Practices Survey, now in its 16th year. I’m pretty excited about this year’s results as there are new insights to share. Over the years we’ve seen common themes emerge around the importance of networking, optimal fee structures, delegation of tasks, and how to gain new clients. This year we also see changing and more current trends such as: The outlook for consulting as a business for next … [Read more...]
Focus Client Communications on Value, Not Rate
April 23, 2018 By 3 Comments
:: As a website developer and communications consultant in the competitive Bay Area, I must be ready to pitch my services at the drop of a hat. Over the years, I have honed my elevator speech and endlessly rehearsed talking to potential clients about their website and media needs. However, conversations invariably turn to that sticky question…“So, what’s your hourly fee?” The best answer? A gracefully phrased, “Let’s focus on your real question.” In my experience, clients are not actually … [Read more...]
WIC Lessons Learned #2: Karilee Wirthlin
April 10, 2018 By 2 Comments
:: Karilee Wirthlin started KL Consulting (http://klconsulting.com/) 19 years ago to provide break-through marketing with her expertise in digital strategy and, what is now called, “martech.” She joined WIC about a year later to find a network of like-minded business people. When she looks back at her years of success, being part of the WIC community has been a key factor in her success. You are the President and CEO of Your Company “WIC members are dedicated to growing a business. They may … [Read more...]
Invest 15 minutes : Gain insights on strategies and tactics to help grow your business
April 2, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Many consultants are also business owners which means we have a lot of different aspects of our business which we need to manage. Learning what works for other consultants can be an important way to define and prioritize strategies and activities. Women In Consulting’s The Best Practices Survey Report is cited by many consultants as key to gaining insights on what choices and activities have the strongest positive impacts on their business. This year is our 16th year conducting the Best … [Read more...]
How does your consulting business stack up? Take our 16th Annual WIC Best Practices Survey (open March 14-April 7) and find out.
March 13, 2018 By 1 Comment
A comprehensive analysis of the state of consulting businesses - Yes, it’s that time again. This is the 16th year for WIC’s best practices survey. Over the years, it’s offered useful insights into the evolution of Bay Area consulting businesses, such as billing and marketing tool trends, consulting expertise and specialties, structure and operations. Also over the years, we’ve found more and more consultants implementing the best practices and seeing the positive impact on their businesses. … [Read more...]
Consultant or Vendor? Pick only one!
March 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Consultants and vendors both bring expertise to the marketplace. But they operate very differently in that marketplace. Vendors typically offer thoroughly designed and tested products. It might be a course in time management or project management or a one-day team building retreat. Maybe it is a "package" of marketing materials for a new product launch. Or it might be a 3-session package on presentation skills. Role of a Vendor The biggest advantage of being a vendor is the ease of marketing … [Read more...]
