[AccessD] Independent Consulting

You know, guys....something to consider.  Last night, I had a home
inspection on a house we are settling on, beginning of January.  The
inspector, when he finished up his report, handed it to me inside a
Brinks Home Security folder.  He told me that Brinks PAID him to do
this.  So...all his customers got a de facto reference for Brinks.  I
thought that was a brilliant idea.  It is a perfect blend of associated
services, reaching the perfect target market.  IF you can find an IT
person (I doubt an accounting service would...but maybe a simple
bookkeeping service) to do the same with YOUR references....it might be
a similar targeting of a potential target market.

Something to think about.

Regards,

Keith E. Williamson | Assist. Controller| kwilliamson at rtkl.com

RTKL Associates Inc. | 901 South Bond Street | Baltimore, Maryland
21231-3305

410-537-6098 direct | 410-276-2136 fax | www.rtkl.com

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Barbara Ryan
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 4:57 AM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Independent Consulting

You guys are great --- I appreciate the time you've taken to give me all

this information --- and you don't even know me!  Thanks.

Barb
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William Hindman" <wdhindman at dejpolsystems.com>
To: "Access Developers discussion and problem solving" 
<accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 1:21 AM
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Independent Consulting


> ...lol ...didn't realize that was still around :)
>
> ...Barb ...work on building your references BEFORE you take the leap
if at
> all possible ...look for charitable institutions that need help and do
it
> for free or nearly so ...but do it as if they were paying your top
rate
> ...making them ecstatic is the goal ...and understand that it is not
their
> reference per se that you are after but that of other business people
that
> are inevitably involved in such orgs ...they get to know you and the 
> quality
> of work you do and a lot of them will pass your name on ...I still get

> calls
> that originated with a children's home I've not worked with in three
years
> now.
>
> ...tap into accountants and small systems support consultants ...they 
> rarely
> have database skills themselves but they have plenty of clients who
have
> constant needs ...if you can get one or more accountants or system
guys
> giving you an occasional referral, you'll be earning a living before
you
> know it ...chamber of commerce meetings can be productive but I've
found
> that hooking into my own client's accountant and systems people is the

> best
> way to spread your referral base.
>
> ...keep your expenses under control ...spend absolutely nothing that
you
> don't have to ...you don't need a fancy office or a new computer or a
> half-page ad in the YP ...not unless your private savings or
retirement
> check are a lot larger than mine ...and watch the government types, 
> they'll
> kill you with mind numbing crap like fire inspections twice a year in
your
> home office at $180 a whack ...the list is endless :(
>
> ...buy insurance very carefully if you need it ...a health savings
account
> with a very high deductible works best for me but I've so far been 
> fortunate
> to be in good health.
>
> ...otoh, if you make it through your first year you may be like me and
> wonder why in the heck you didn't do it 20 years sooner :)
>
> William Hindman
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Susan Harkins" <ssharkins at setel.com>
> To: "'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'"
> <accessd at databaseadvisors.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 6:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [AccessD] Independent Consulting
>
>
>> Start here:
>>
>>
http://www.databaseadvisors.com/newsletters/newsletter072001/0107consult
antc
>> orner.htm
>>
>> And good luck!
>>
>> Susan H.
>>
>> Any advice?  Suggestions on nformational resources about consulting
>> (books,
>> websites,etc.)?  How to set a billing rate? Marketing ideas?  Do I
need a
>> lawyer AND an accountant?  Any 'gotchas' that I should look out for? 
>> This
>> is pretty scary for me!
>>
>>
>> -- 
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>> Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com
>>
>
>
>
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