As an independent consultant, I know that marketing and selling is a big part of my life and livelihood, but they haven't been naturals for me. That's why I like to watch and learn from the pros. This is a true story about a guy I know. I'll call him "Ray" because he's like a Read more...

I have found that one of the biggest problem areas in many households is incoming mail.  Managing your mail can be challenging because of all of the “stuff” we are sent every day.  Two ways to stop the junk mail are to contact www.dmachoice.org or www.greendimes.com.   The most important part of controlling your incoming Read more...

In times like these, we're tested as consultants in almost every way. Here are just three: - What clients want or need may be even harder to define than it normally is - or it may be constantly changing. - Despite budgets that are tighter, requirements may not be much lighter than in more lavishly-funded Read more...

I must confess -- I don't like networking. Going to meetings where I know no one just to get my name out is hard work for me. That's probably why I like WIC. The meetings are fun and the people warm and inviting, so it's less painful. But this isn't a pitch for WIC -- Read more...

This past week I had the opportunity to attend a Town Hall meeting of the National Women's Business Council (NWBC) in San Francisco. The NWBC is a bipartisan federal government council that serves as an independent source of advice to the President, Congress, and the SBA on ecomoic issues of importance to women business owners. Read more...

Affiliate subscribers and WIC members often talk about the WIC Community email list and what a wonderful resource it is -- particularly how rapidly you can get an answer to your question. Well, Suzanne Skyvara (Skyvara Communications) took the concept even further. In a pay-it-forward approach, Suzanne sent an email out today that shared some Read more...

Million Dollar Consultant Alan Weiss, a WIC partner and advisor, today hosted a teleconference to help consultants focus on how to thrive in this turbulent economy. Among his key points: Changes in demographics provide opportunities for consultants today Changes in perceptions provide opportunities for consultants today Markets that are insulated from recession and economic turbulence Read more...

Aaron Strout's # 1 top lesson learned in social media is actually a top lesson we should apply to the overall running of our consulting and small businesses: Keep It in a Box. Essentially, this means keep what you do on a daily basis: Closely aligned with your business goals Prescriptive vs. descriptive, so that Read more...

Aaron Strout posted on his Citizen Marketer blog a nice little list of the top 10 social media lessons he learned. There are some great nuggets of information in the list that are well worth the few minutes it takes to read. I'm doing one of them now: "Every day...make a point of calling out Read more...

As I mentioned in my October 17 post (Secrets to a Successful Consulting Business: Know Your Strengths), I followed Elaine Starling's suggestion and ordered StrengthFinder 2.0. I did so, because 1) I thought it would be interesting; 2) Kim Fulcher said the first step in finding your passion is knowing your strengths; and 3) I Read more...