Consulting Tips

Shaun, bravo!  Think equity.  Think security.  Pursue your own business.  You are on track in these times of "free agents."  Brand yourself through conference talks, publications, and a hard-hitting website, which you need to keep fresh.  You likely know all of this already; be sure, also, to protect your intellectual property as you progress.  You have the right research topic at the right time to profit financially and professionally.  Work for yourself, not others.  You clearly understand the times.  Also, 30% of consulting time is spent on marketing, so you need to charge enough to cover those times when you are cultivating customers.  Also, best practice as a consultant is to demand 50% of your fee at the start, before you start, and 50% at the end after your deliver the work product.  Do not make the mistake I have this term.  I am working on a consulting project for which I get paid only if at the end the client likes the work product.  This is stupid of me; since I am dealing with a state agency, I either play by its rules or sit it out.  I prefer to play now.  However, I am copyrighting all of my work product as my own  intellectual property, a "work for hire," to make sure if they do not pay they do not get the work product.  I met with an IQ property lawyer about how to do this.  I can easily recycle the research into other outlets if they would back stab at the end.  Yes, it is learning by doing.  I share these lessons learned to help you position yourself in the market.  I am proud of you!  Dr. Rux