Become a FabJob Guide to Business Consultant

Get paid to give business advice!

FabJob Guide to

Become a Business Consultant

Craig Coolahan, Tag Goulet and Marg Archibald

Visit

FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant

Contents

About the Authors............................................................................9 Acknowledgements........................................................................ 10

1. Introduction...........................................................................................12 1.1 Welcome to Business Consulting................................................12 1.1.1 What is a Business Consultant?.........................................13 1.1.2 A Growth Industry..............................................................13 1.1.3 Business Consulting as a Profession.................................15 1.1.4 Benefits of the Profession...................................................16 1.2 Inside this Guide...........................................................................19

2. What a Business Consultant Does.....................................................21 2.1 Business Consulting Specializations..........................................21 2.1.1 Types of Specializations......................................................21 2.1.2 Popular Specializations.......................................................22 2.2 Steps in a Consulting Project.......................................................34 2.2.1 Conduct a Needs Analysis.................................................34 2.2.2 Determine Project Specifics................................................37 2.2.3 Gather Information..............................................................40 2.2.4 Do a Gap Analysis ..............................................................41 2.2.5 Identify Possible Solutions.................................................42 2.2.6 Present Your Recommendations.......................................43 2.2.7 Implementation....................................................................47 2.2.8 Post-Project Review.............................................................49 2.3 Information Gathering Techniques.............................................52 2.3.1 Observation..........................................................................54 2.3.2 Case Studies..........................................................................55 2.3.3 Interviews ............................................................................56

2 ? ? Copyright ? 2016 FabJob Inc.

FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant

2.3.4 Surveys..................................................................................57 2.3.5 Focus Groups.......................................................................61

3. Developing Your Skills.......................................................................66 3.1 Skills Assessment...........................................................................66 3.2 Problem-Solving Skills..................................................................68 3.2.1 Critical Thinking..................................................................69 3.2.2 Problem-Solving Techniques.............................................71 3.3 Communication Skills...................................................................76 3.3.1 Basics of Communication...................................................76 3.3.2 Verbal and Vocal Communication....................................77 3.3.3 Non-Verbal Communication..............................................79 3.3.4 Listening...............................................................................80 3.3.5 Presentation Skills...............................................................81 3.3.6 Business Writing .................................................................84 3.3.7 Second Languages...............................................................85 3.4 Management Skills........................................................................86 3.4.1 Project Management............................................................86 3.4.2 Organization.........................................................................90 3.4.3 Time Management...............................................................92 3.4.4 Leadership............................................................................95 3.5 Business Ethics...............................................................................99

4. Ways to Learn Business Consulting................................................102 4.1 Degree Programs.........................................................................104 4.1.1 Undergraduate Programs.................................................104 4.1.2 MBA Programs...................................................................105 4.2 Business Courses and Seminars................................................109 4.2.1 Colleges and Universities.................................................110 4.2.2 Seminar Companies..........................................................111

Copyright ? 2016 FabJob Inc. ? ? 3

FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant

4.2.3 Other Learning Opportunities.........................................112 4.3 Learning By Reading..................................................................113

4.3.1 Books...................................................................................113 4.3.2 Periodicals...........................................................................115 4.3.3 Websites..............................................................................120 4.4 Learning by Doing......................................................................121 4.4.1 Volunteer Experience........................................................122 4.4.2 Information Interviews.....................................................125 4.4.3 Internships..........................................................................128 4.4.4 Work Experience ...............................................................131

5. Getting Hired as a Consultant..........................................................134 5.1 Jobs at Consulting Firms............................................................135 5.1.1 Career Paths at Consulting Firms...................................136 5.1.2 Top Firms............................................................................137 5.1.3Large Firms That Consult to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses................................................139 5.1.4 Small Firms.........................................................................141 5.2 Corporate Jobs.............................................................................143 5.2.1 Internal Consulting...........................................................143 5.2.2 Types of Corporate Employers........................................144 5.3 How to Find Job Openings........................................................145 5.3.1 On-Campus Recruitment.................................................145 5.3.2 Advertised Positions.........................................................146 5.3.3 Unadvertised Positions.....................................................152 5.3.4 Create a New Job...............................................................155 5.4 Job-Hunting Materials................................................................158 5.4.1 How to Prepare a Resume................................................158 5.4.2 How to Prepare a Cover Letter........................................168

4 ? ? Copyright ? 2016 FabJob Inc.

FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant

5.5 Job Interviews..............................................................................172 5.5.1 How to Prepare for an Interview....................................172 5.5.2 Interview Questions..........................................................177 5.5.3 Case Interviews..................................................................180 5.5.4 Following Up.....................................................................184

5.6 The Job Offer................................................................................186 5.6.1 Negotiating Salary.............................................................186 5.6.2 Deciding Whether to Take the Job....................................187

6.Starting Your Own Consulting Business.......................................189 6.1 Getting Started.............................................................................192 6.1.1 Creating a Business Plan..................................................192 6.1.2 Choosing a Business Legal Structure..............................200 6.1.3 Choosing a Business Name .............................................207 6.1.4 Choosing Your Location...................................................209 6.2 Financial Matters.........................................................................213 6.2.1 Start-up and Operating Expenses...................................213 6.2.2 Start-up Financing ............................................................218 6.2.3 Taxes....................................................................................223 6.2.4 Insurance.............................................................................224 6.2.5 Setting Your Fees................................................................227 6.2.6 Charging for Expenses......................................................238 6.2.7 Invoicing.............................................................................242 6.2.8 Accepting Payment...........................................................249 6.2.9 Keeping Track of Your Finances......................................252 6.3 Client Contracts...........................................................................256 6.4 Working With Other People.......................................................262 6.4.1 Strategic Partners...............................................................262 6.4.2 Contractors.........................................................................266

Copyright ? 2016 FabJob Inc. ? ? 5

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download