Atd's Handbook for Consultants

Turn to the Definitive Guide for All Your Consulting Questions

ATD's Handbook for Consultants unpacks what it takes to run a successful consulting practice that delivers world-class solutions for clients all with the benefits of a self-directed work life.

As companies and organizations become increasingly strategic with how they use employee resources, more are engaging external consultants as highly skilled temporary labor when they lack the specialized expertise to handle their growing needs. Without the staffing flexibility to complete special projects that require more employee hours and specialized skills, companies recognize the benefits of fresh perspectives, new ideas, outside opinions, and the speed and efficiency of an expert consultant who in many cases has already tackled similar challenges with other companies.

Consulting is at the top of the list of career moves for talent development professionals and others who have unique skill sets and expertise. Whether you're considering branching out on your own, you've just launched and are struggling to keep yourself afloat, or you're looking to take your business to the next level, this book will help you clarify your "why" and make your transition a soft landing. Learn to set a business strategy, write winning business proposals, and market your products and services. Gain perspectives on multiple consulting career paths-from forming an independent consultancy to joining a boutique consulting practice to consulting with a large company.

Edited by consulting powerhouse Elaine Biech, this book is broken into five parts:
Exploring consulting: So you want to be a consultant

Getting started: Plan your consulting future

Delivering results: The work of a consultant

Developing business: Find and keep clients
Focusing on your future: Define success your way

Tap into the sage wisdom, actionable takeaways, and practical tools in this book, and set yourself apart from the competition on your journey to becoming a successful consultant.

List of contents

Introduction
Part I. Exploring Consulting: So You Want to Be a Consultant   
1. What Is Still True   
2. Essential Consulting Skills for Trainers
3. From TD to Consulting: Transition Success
4. What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Consultant
5. Taking the Plunge: Making the Big Leap into Consulting
6. Clarify Your Why 
 
Part II. Getting Started: Plan Your Consulting Future
7. The 5 Ps of Business Strategy: Possibilities, People, Payoff, Process, and Pivoting    
8. Consulting in a Large Company  
9. Is a Boutique Consulting Practice Right for You? 
10. The Independent Consultant: What’s Your Role?
11. Naming Your Business
12. Establishing the 21st Century Consultant’s Office
13. The Consultant as an Entrepreneur

Part III. Delivering Results: The Work of a Consultant
14. The Consultant as Coach
15. Implementing ATD’s 6D Consulting Process
16. 6 Critical Actions for Consulting Success
17. The Many Roles of an OD Consultant
18. Using Instruments and Tools for Your Client’s Success
19. Consulting for the U.S. Federal Government
20. The Challenge of Working IN and ON Your Business
 
Part IV. Developing Business: Finding and Keeping Clients
21. Implementing a Powerful Pricing Strategy for Consultants
22. Finding Your Niche
23. It’s All About Marketing
24. Consummate Consultative Selling
25. 6 Keys to Writing a Winning Business Proposal
26. Volunteering: A Path to Clients
27. Networking Is a Necessity
28. Make Your Consulting Practice Work for You With Passive Income
 
Part V. Focusing on Your Future: Define Success Your Way
29. Humble Consulting
30. The Soul of an Entrepreneur: Doing Consulting My Way
31. How to Avoid the 10 Most Common Mistakes Consultants Make
32. Looking Back to Plan Ahead: Review Your First Year in Bus 
33. 5 Ways to Build Your Business
34. Consulting Is a Relationship Business 
35. How to Show Up: Getting Your Expertise Used

About the author

Elaine Biech is president and managing principal of ebb associates inc, an organizational and leadership development firm that helps organizations work through large-scale change. Her 30 years in the training and consulting field includes support to private industry, government, and non-profit organizations. She’s written 89 books with 14 publishers, including the Washington Post number 1 bestseller, The Art & Science of Training. Elaine lives in Virginia Beach, VA.

Summary

Turn to the Definitive Guide for All Your Consulting Questions

ATD’s Handbook for Consultants unpacks what it takes to run a successful consulting practice that delivers world-class solutions for clients all with the benefits of a self-directed work life. 

As companies and organizations become increasingly strategic with how they use employee resources, more are engaging external consultants as highly skilled temporary labor when they lack the specialized expertise to handle their growing needs. Without the staffing flexibility to complete special projects that require more employee hours and specialized skills, companies recognize the benefits of fresh perspectives, new ideas, outside opinions, and the speed and efficiency of an expert consultant who in many cases has already tackled similar challenges with other companies.

Consulting is at the top of the list of career moves for talent development professionals and others who have unique skill sets and expertise. Whether you’re considering branching out on your own, you’ve just launched and are struggling to keep yourself afloat, or you’re looking to take your business to the next level, this book will help you clarify your “why” and make your transition a soft landing. Learn to set a business strategy, write winning business proposals, and market your products and services. Gain perspectives on multiple consulting career paths—from forming an independent consultancy to joining a boutique consulting practice to consulting with a large company.

Edited by consulting powerhouse Elaine Biech, this book is broken into five parts:

• Exploring consulting: So you want to be a consultant


• Getting started: Plan your consulting future


• Delivering results: The work of a consultant


• Developing business: Find and keep clients
• Focusing on your future: Define success your way

Tap into the sage wisdom, actionable takeaways, and practical tools in this book, and set yourself apart from the competition on your journey to becoming a successful consultant. 

Foreword

• ATD actively promotes ATD Press books to its audience via emails and its book catalog sent to members and contacts. 
• ATD ensures that authors write practical and timely blog posts related to their books for posting on our site. 
• ATD invites authors to participate in relevant ATD podcasts and encourages them to speak at ATD conferences (such as ATD’s International Conference & Exposition, TechKnowledge, and OrgDev) and events. 
• ATD authors are experts in the talent development field and are active speakers at many conferences (such as DevLearn, The Learning Leaders Conference, Training Magazine’s annual conference, and various leadership conferences and forums). They are active podcast and webinar guests. They promote their books via social media, websites, newsletters, and other industry networks. 
• ATD helps authors line up select podcasts and uses ATD podcast channels, blog posts, and magazine articles to promote their books. 
• ATD creates a unique campaign with each of our authors. The timing of article placements, podcasts, and webinars, among other activities, are pursued on a rolling basis starting three months prior to the publishing of a book and continuing well after the publication of the book.

Product details

• Authors: Elaine (EDT) Biech
• Assisted by: Elaine Biech (Editor)
• Publisher: American Society for Training and Development
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 28.05.2024, delayed
• EAN: 9781957157344
• ISBN: 978-1-957157-34-4
• No. of pages: 504
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Business > Miscellaneous; BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Entrepreneurship, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Development / Business Development, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Training