Where do independent consultants invest? In themselves! On their continual growth and development. In seminars. Workshops. Coaching. Certifications.
Because independent consultants know that they are the primary asset and that investing in themselves pays dividends. Keeping current is a necessity to serve clients well and to do our best work. It keeps us relevant. It enables us to add more value which can then be reflected in our fees.
Consulting is a high margin / low overhead business. We don’t have equipment or a big labor force or a long tail R&D process. We could get by with a cell phone and some business cards. What we do have is ourselves. And our skills. And our brains. And our ability to nurture relationships.
As such, I’ve spent over $35,000 on my development. And it’s really more than that if I add in the travel associated with going to seminars and workshops. And the number would be higher if I had to add in all the registration fees I avoided from being a speaker at conferences or the times I’ve been able to take advantage of a client provided learning opportunity.
To put that number in perspective, it is roughly the equivalent of what I’ve spent on marketing, on gas or on office supplies.
The luxury of working for someone else is that they incur these expenses. The reality of working for yourself means the responsibility is yours.
You’ve heard the quip “You must spend money to make money.” That holds true for consulting as well. However you’re not investing in land, equipment, buildings or a workforce. You are investing in you!
Are you ready to invest in yourself?
Have you started a consulting business and realized you could use support and knowledge from someone with experience in the field? Or maybe you haven’t started your business yet, but you know you want to. It might be time for you to LEAP.
Review the programs we have available here with LEAP to see great options for your own self investment.
