Product Description

Become a successful information technology consultant!

This is the only book on the market that will teach you the crucial "soft skills" of communication, facilitation, and presentation, plus a methodology for applying IT analysis skills to meet your client′s business needs. Using an organized, common sense approach based on his 15 years experience as an IT consultant, Rick Freedman presents this landmark method for partnering with clients, collecting and analyzing data, creating recommendations, and delivering business benefits to clients.

You′ll learn how to:
∗ Develop rewarding and mutually beneficial client relationships
∗ Help clients visualize the end product of IT systems consulting projects
∗ Negotiate projects that have clear goals, specifications, budgets, and schedules
∗ Market proposals to executives, managers, and users

Plus, the accompanying CD–ROM provides you with customizable job aids for use in your own work.

Never again will you be simply a "technician–for–hire." Whether you′re a newcomer to consulting or a seasoned professional, The IT Consultant provides you with a blueprint for developing your advisory skills, providing quality services, and building successful client relationships.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #358272 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
"Few consultants fail for lack of technical expertise, many fail for lack of relationship skills. This unique book is the cure for that problem." (Dr. Peter C. Patton, Chief Technologist, Lawson Software)

"Freedman shares his trade secrets to achieving a succesful IT consulting career based on his vast personal experience. The IT Consultant offers a refreshing approach to the advisory relationship: understand your clients′ business goals and develop a collaborative solution. A surefire strategy for success!" (Elaine Biech, author, The Business of Consulting, coauthor, The Consultant′sLegal Guide)

"A must–read′ for any IT professional services manager attempting to upgrade the consultive skill set of their organization. The lessons learned here have a direct, linear relationship to the growth potential of you consulting practice or professional services organization" (Peter N. Van Zant, senior vice president and managing principal, ENTEX Consulting Services)

"The book is good value for money and easy to read. I would recommend it to anyone who is an IT consultant, or who is interested in this field." (Computer Bulletin – 5 star rating, November 2000)

From the Author
A strategy for success as an IT consultant
I wrote this book to present the lessons I've learned from running my own IT consulting practice, and from managing, coaching, and mentoring consultants throughout my career. Many books exist that discuss the sales, marketing, billing, and promotional aspects of consulting, but I could never find a text that I could give to prospective consultants to teach them the communication, presentation, analysis, and design skills that are required to advise clients effectively.

My book walks both novice and experienced IT consultants through the client engagement process, all the way from the first meeting and early project negotiation, through the data collection and analysis phase, to the solution design and the delivery of a functioning IT system.

I also discuss techniques IT consultants can use to stay current with technology trends, and to strengthen their business knowledge and project management skills. I review extensively the 'value-added' elements that differentiate superior IT consultants, like documentation, training, system security and redundancy, and ongoing maintenance and support services. These add-ons not only help consultants rise above the crowd, but also add real value for the client and provide additional billable hours for the consultant.

Please feel free to contact me at my e-mail address (rfman@consulting-strategies.com). I'd love to hear from readers with comments about the book, and with constructive criticism that can make the next edition even better. Thanks to all who read my book.

From the Inside Flap
"Few consultants fail for lack of technical expertise, many fail for lack of relationship skills. This unique book is the cure for that problem."—Dr. Peter C. Patton, Chief Technologist, Lawson SoftwareYou′ve got the technical expertise. Finally, here is a guide to the client–relationship skills you′ll need to build a successful career as an IT consultant! "Freedman shares his trade secrets to achieving a successful IT consulting career based on his vast personal experience. The IT Consultant offers a refreshing approach to the advisory relationship: understand your clients′ business goals and develop a collaborative solution. A surefire strategy for success!"—Elaine Biech, author, The Business of Consulting; coauthor, The Consultant′s Legal Guide"A ′must–read′ for any IT professional services manager attempting to upgrade the consultative skill set of their organization. Rick has done an exceptional job of articulating transformation areas and has provided real world examples that your staff can apply in the marketplace. The lessons learned here have a direct, linear relationship to the growth potential of your consulting practice or professional services organization."—Peter N. Van Zant, senior vice president and managing principal, ENTEX Consulting Services "The IT Consultant is not only an excellent guide for individuals wishing to grow from skilled technicians to consultants, but it reminds today′s practitioners that consultants are trusted business advisors to their clients. Rick Freedman has produced a well–flowing read that talks about required skills and considerations for consulting, gives "how–to" examples, and leads the readers through his suggested approaches."—Mark Zemelman, regional consulting manager, ENTEX Information Services"The IT Consultant defines the skills necessary for IT consultants who want to launch their careers, while suggesting a framework for the IT consulting firm to adopt, evangelize, and practice for