some topics for future sessions.
BRANAGAN VICTOR
Consulting Club,
To those who couldn't make it, we discussed some ideas around getting
started as a consultant and the 'life-cycle' of a consultancy project.
These are open sessions and people are free to join in whatever
sessions suit either their interests or their timetable. Everyone is
encouraged to share their experiences or examples, their success
stories, any not so successful stories etc.
The next session is on Tuesday after the class on research methods -
from 5.00 till about 7.00 and future sessions will be set for a mid-
week day in the early evening and decided on in advance. The plan is
that over the next 12-14 weeks we will try to have about 7 or 8
sessions.
As outlined yesterday we will try and have a focus topic for each
session and I have tried to include the ideas that were raised
yesterday by everyone into one of the agendas. These agendas are not
set in stone but give us some idea of what we can concentrate on. Some
topics might fit into several sessions.
Topic1 – Introduction, Topics to be discussed, Skills available
amongst us, Types of consultancy work, life cycle of a consultant.
Topic 2 – the different types of consultancy services within
sustainability, setting up a business and the issues involved; how
competitive is the consultancy market; what real experience do you
need in getting started as a consultant. Identifying a niche market
for your skills.
Topic 3 – Rewriting your CV; Work profile, your key skills; clarity on
your forte; focus on what you are selling; what specific niches might
I focus on. You need experience to get the job and you need the job to
get the experience - so now what!
Topic 4 - Proposal writing; requests for tenders; making an
application; Contracts, Memorandum of Understanding, Agreements; How
do I find a tender or a client; How do I set boundaries for a project;
What deliverables are expected of me: An exercise - we thought that it
would be a good idea that we would present a 'request for tender' that
people could 'apply for' in groups of three over the next two weeks
and we would try to make this as realistic as possible. Each group
would respond with their application for the tender, explaining how
they would approach the work, why they should be chosen and the price
they would charge for this work. We would then talk about these
applications in later session.
Topic 5 - Professional associations – being a member, using them
wisely; On line tools for collaborating with others, working remotely
with each other; Getting endorsements, testimonials, references;
Topic 6 - Making the pitch for the tender, comments and feedback on
the applications; 'shaking the tree' how to sell yourself to get the
contract; selling sustainability to a market that might not be ready.
Topic 7 – Writing contracts, Memorandum of Understandings, Charging
for your services – ‘because I’m worth it!’ Getting paid and on time.
What administrative work is involved.
Topic 8 - Guest lectures may visit and talk to the group during the
term. If people have any contacts that might be of interest and might
talk to the group, then we would interested to discuss this. We could
maybe see if any MSLS graduates who have consultany businesses might
do a webinar or such.
Hopefully, this covers the ideas that came up yesterday - and to think
I was afraid there might not be that much to talk about, now I am
wondering how we might fit all this in!!
bye for now and hopefully see you Tuesday at 5.00
Victor