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By Diane Feldman, Senior Member, STC Carolina Chapter
To accomplish most jobs, you need the right tools. To use your tools efficiently and well, it helps to learn about them from an expert. In a workshop called "The Consultant's Toolkit," Triangle- area independents had the chance to add to their consulting skills and to learn how to apply those skills from a veteran.
Chris Juillet is a technical communicator who practiced as an independent consultant in Ann Arbor for more than 15 years. Recently, Chris attained a law degree and established a legal practice. This combination of experience uniquely qualifies him to address the concerns of technical communicators who are starting or managing businesses as independent consultants. In December, he came to share his expertise and insights in a workshop sponsored by the Carolina Chapter's Training Committee and the Consulting and Independent Contracting Special Interest Group.
Chris's day-long workshop addressed literally every aspect of managing an independent consulting business:
More than a dozen technical communicators took advantage of the chance to learn from Chris — despite the fact that their attendance presented more than the usual challenges. The workshop was held on December 7 — only a few days after the winter storm that destroyed trees and power lines, depriving thousands of homes and businesses of their electrical service. The planned site for the class was closed for lack of electricity, as were most places that might be able to accommodate the group.
The members of the Training Committee, most of whom were without electrical service themselves, heroically managed to find an alternate site and to contact all of the participants to advise them of the change in plans.
By managing to carry on with the workshop under such extraordinary circumstances, Chris Juillet, the committee members, and the participants demonstrated some of the most important attributes of a successful independent enterprise — resourcefulness, persistence, and flexibility!
Diane Feldman can be reached at diane at authorcraft dot net.
Diane Feldman
Chris Juillet is a technical communicator who practiced as an independent consultant in Ann Arbor for more than 15 years. Recently, Chris attained a law degree and established a legal practice. This combination of experience uniquely qualifies him to address the concerns of technical communicators who are starting or managing businesses as independent consultants. In December, he came to share his expertise and insights in a workshop sponsored by the Carolina Chapter's Training Committee and the Consulting and Independent Contracting Special Interest Group.
By managing to carry on with the workshop under such extraordinary circumstances, Chris Juillet, the committee members, and the participants demonstrated some of the most important attributes of a successful independent enterprise resourcefulness, persistence, and flexibility!
- Setting up shop, with topics ranging from how to choose your name to the importance of building a team of colleagues, vendors, and business support professionals
- Taking care of business, with important tips about planning, budgeting, and record-keeping
- Work and how to get it — meeting the challenges of finding clients and expanding your customer base
- Setting rates, including especially helpful advice about how not to determine what to charge!
- Crafting contracts and collecting fees.
More than a dozen technical communicators took advantage of the chance to learn from Chris — despite the fact that their attendance presented more than the usual challenges. The workshop was held on December 7 — only a few days after the winter storm that destroyed trees and power lines, depriving thousands of homes and businesses of their electrical service. The planned site for the class was closed for lack of electricity, as were most places that might be able to accommodate the group.
The members of the Training Committee, most of whom were without electrical service themselves, heroically managed to find an alternate site and to contact all of the participants to advise them of the change in plans.
By managing to carry on with the workshop under such extraordinary circumstances, Chris Juillet, the committee members, and the participants demonstrated some of the most important attributes of a successful independent enterprise — resourcefulness, persistence, and flexibility!
Diane Feldman can be reached at diane at authorcraft dot net.
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