As a consultant or coach, it’s our job to help clients solve problems and operate at their best. Sometimes this is easy, particularly with process or operational improvements. For example, “Decrease product returns by moving the quality checks upstream in the process.”  

However, advice becomes challenging when it’s more personal, like when a business leader needs to change a behavior or…

The one thing all independent consultants and coaches have in common is we all get FUD from time to time: FEAR of change, UNCERTAINTY about how to address a situation, and DOUBT about trying something new. When these emotions crop up, I refer to it as the FUD monster. I imagine a hairy gremlin on my shoulder, whispering nasty self-doubt into my ear. Here’s what you can do to tame your FUD monster…

As consultants, our ability to communicate effectively is vital to our success. Whether you’re meeting a potential client for the first time or you have to deliver some difficult feedback, it’s hard to over prepare.  That said, I suspect most of us don’t do enough preparation for these important conversations. Sure, we may jot down our key points or put together a flawless presentation, but have we prepared our brains to seek the outcomes we desire?  …

Of course you’ve heard of ChatGPT but are you using it to work smarter and more efficiently yet? If not, you should be! Recently the Professional Independent Consultants of America (PICA) hosted a members-only roundtable discussion to help people jumpstart their use of this powerful tool. Special thanks to Alexis Hultine of Digital by Design, and Dave Seaton of SeatonCX for leading the session and sharing their insights. This article was written by ChatGPT using the transcript of the roundtable.

One of my “whys” for becoming a solopreneur nearly 20 years ago was to have more quality time with my daughter. Self-employment would not only let me set the boundaries I needed, but it would also allow me to manage my time as well as my clients’ expectations. To do this…

After decades of working with some of the worlds’ best consultants, coaches, and solopreneurs, I’ve assembled a list of qualities that contribute to their success. You don’t need to check all these boxes, but if any strike a chord with you, weave them into your marketing, such as your website, LinkedIn profile, presentations, and proposals.

As a solopreneur responsible for finding your own work, you may be tempted to adopt the ABC sales mantra, “Always Be Closing,” as described so powerfully by Alec Baldwin in the movie Glengarry Glen Ross. But when you’re self-employed, ABC might be the kiss of death to your business because nobody likes being sold.  As coaches, independent consultants, and financial planners, we’re problem-solvers, not salespeople. We want to be remembered and trusted, so put the client first.

Being a self-employed solopreneur isn’t for everyone. Sure, it sounds fabulous—the ability to be selective about the work you do, have a flexible schedule, escape office politics, make good money—but there are drawbacks. I made the leap to independent consulting in 2004 and never looked back. Although I made more money while working fewer hours, I also had to learn how to run my own business. Here are nine things to think about before taking the leap to become a solopreneur.

As independent consultants, we’ve all probably worked remotely to some extent but as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it appears that working virtually will be part of the “new normal.” Companies are figuring out their “work from anywhere” and/or hybrid models as the pandemic drags on and the “great resignation” threatens to lure employees away.

To complicate things further for consultants, clients may misperceive “checking in” as a waste of time and/or something they don’t want to pay for. Or worse, they may still have the mindset that if they can’t see the consultant doing the work, they might think they’re overpaying…

As independent consultants, we’ve all worked remotely to some extent but now we are working virtually 100%. And likely, this isn’t temporary. Many companies are already saying they won’t require every employee to return to the workplace this calendar year. Some are considering shifting permanently to “work from anywhere”.

To complicate things further, many of our clients are learning how to work virtually for the first time and they may misperceive “checking in” as a waste of time and/or something they don’t want to pay for. Or worse, they may still have the mindset that if they can’t see the consultant doing the work, they might think they’re overpaying.

Given that consulting is relationship based, it’s imperative that we build credibility and trust quickly…