When I started do to independent consulting in 2004 I got a lot of advice. Some helpful; some not so much. None the less, themes emerged all around “Don’t let them know you are a solo act!” Comments like:
- Hire a service to answer your phone so it looks like you have a receptionist.
- Find a way to have a street address so clients won’t know you work from home.
- List other associates on your website so clients know it is more than just you.
Fast forward to today. Things have changed and all in the favor of independent consulting:
- Working from a home office is not just accepted, but embraced.
- We are in the Gig economy where goods and services of all kind are routinely outsourced.
- Clients recognize that independent consultants offer high value and are a valid choice over the big consulting firms.
- Virtual tools enable high productivity no matter where your location.
- Even small practices have the ability to use software tools that were out of the reach a mere five years ago.
- You can be connected just about anywhere – securely and safely.
- Collaboration tools abound – from video conferencing to project collaboration tools.
The market is growing for professionals with deep expertise who can provide a level of service that either supplements or surpasses what an organization has on the inside.
In addition to the reasons above, these factors are fueling both the acceptance and growth of independent consulting:
- Companies run lean. They are willing to reduce head count and to augment when needed.
- Boomers are retiring to the tune of 10,000 per day! These are the folks whose expertise is needed and needs to be replaced in some way.
- Professional knowledge and skills are changing faster than companies can keep up with. They can either hire a cybersecurity expert or attempt to get their employees up a steep learning curve. It’s not just cybersecurity – fill in the blank with any professional area of practice.
The time is now! If you are ready to take the LEAP to independent consulting, we can help. Start by reading a free chapter of Kris Taylor’s book, Owning It to learn about common reasons individuals choose to go out on their own and start a consulting business.
