When I re-listened to the introduction of this, Allan reminds the reader that this is specifically written for the solo practitioner or the boutique consultancy, both of which I love and this blog is for!
It’s another book that I managed to get through on Audible. I am finding Audible a great way to get though business books, and the credits of membership keep me on about a book per month, which is far more than I was managing via kindle. And as the great consultants will tell you, keep reading!
But on to the 3 short lessons learned from Million Dollar Consulting.
- You can do this on your own. Also known as you don’t have to hire lots of people or partners.
I take some comfort from this as I resolve to do the same, having previously thought that it was not a good idea and would only be a tactical phase at best. Allan reveals he has coached consultants running their own shop that took on partners and staff and really did not need to in order to be successful. Now this does not mean don’t get some good outside help, ie contract with others by the hour who can do what you can’t, don’t want to, or are much cheaper than you.
2. Stop Charging by the hour. Also known as charge by your eventual or annual value you bring.
A huge thing, easily said, hard to do. Valid for all consulting from 1 man bands to the big bad 4. And the smaller you are even in the 50-100 man shops, this is the go to mode. Charge by the hour, day or month. Who doesn’t hate timesheets? So yes no secret sauce, but for me it means changing your thinking on the value you provide and not in the months you give it, but what impact it causes over a year. And if you really are in “Consulting” or Advisory then you should be able to measure your impact, otherwise yes you are just in “Resourcing”
3. No Guilt, No Fear, No Peer. Also known as step up and believe in yourself and that you can be world class because you are the best at what you do for who you do it for. It’s also a lot about getting out there, selling what you do and your own self assurance you are in the right place and space.
Links below to Kindle Version