Comments on: Hope For The Best; Expect The Worst

By: netmeg

netmeg — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:40:01 +0000

Well I’ve always been semi aware, but what seriously freaked me out was 9/11. I mean, it was a long time before I could consider anything other than the horrendous loss of life, but once I did, and I saw pictures of all the paperwork from the offices floating around, I was traumatized all over again.

By: Dr. Pete

Dr. Pete — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:23:02 +0000

Preach it, sister ;) I think being an IT manager irrevocably changed my view of potential disaster. It only takes one 2am drive to the nearest data recovery center with your server hard drive containing ALL of your client’s websites (and the future of your entire business) to realize that contingency plants aren’t just a convenience.

By: netmeg

netmeg — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:14:23 +0000

I don’t think there’s a single definition of a consultant (at least not one I’d accept) Most clients came to me originally because of the perceived knowledge differential. Once the relationship has been established and is working well, I will get asked about everything from from PPC landing pages to how to buy a laptop to dealing with feline digestive disorders. And sometimes when they ask, they already know the answer, but they just want to be reassured that it’s the right one.

Of course, there are also the people who aren’t really interested in what you have to say unless it validates what they’ve already decided to do. But I promised my family I wouldn’t talk about them on the interwebz, so we won’t go into that.

By: netmeg

netmeg — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:06:34 +0000

Well yes, of course, but that didn’t *fit*.

As George Carlin used to say – I call ‘em the way I see ‘em, and if I don’t see ‘em, I make ‘em up.

By: netmeg

netmeg — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:05:06 +0000

Thanks!

By: Heather Villa

Heather Villa — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:44:26 +0000

So true Stephen. You pay less, you get less. When I see a service that is advertising something at a much lower cost than competitors, my first question is, “Why?” They have to be offering less in some way. Apples to apples, people.

By: Miri Stone

Miri Stone — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:11:27 +0000

Loved that video – fantastic. And that’s a resounding “H*ll Yes! Back that sh*t it UP!!!”

By: Ann Holman

Ann Holman — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:29:50 +0000

Great post Meg….great common sense dosed with some humour. We often risk the wrong stuff thats just so easy to plan for but not so easy to solve. Just off now to check I’ve covered all my sensitive points! :)

By: Chris Miller

Chris Miller — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:17:34 +0000

I have been what my other half calls a peach since loosing my main client a couple weeks ago, meaning I have to go back to an office job. Part of being a consultant is dealing with issues like separating your business, clients, and work circumstances from who you are - but this is the first time I've attempted living solely on consulting, and the pressure is a bit more when you have to pay rent with this income. I started thinking maybe I'm not that good at being a consultant. I never thought of it like you've explained it, but I guess a consultant isn't so much something you do, as an aspect of who some people just are. Well, duh.

By: Tove Tronslien

Tove Tronslien — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:36:35 +0000

There are two pieces of advice I like to give.

First being”You get what you pay for” You pay nothing, you get very little and for sure going to have a hard time getting anywhere demanding anything.

Second “the more functionality you stick into one piece of equipment, the more chances something will go wrong and you are more handicapped when one functionality breaks.” While this can relate to processes and procedures I think it is particularly true for hardware. HDTV with built in DVD, VCR, all-on-one Printers etc, I don’t get it. If one part breaks you either have to replace it all, send it away for repair, while you are without any of the functions, you operate without the broken part, but maybe at reduced capacity, or you get a stand alone piece of equipment that specializes in delivering one service. Take your pick.

BTW, I don’t think you have to be a consultant to be asked many questions I think it is enough to be a professional. If you’re a doctor and join a party, you bet you will be asked questions about health. If you’re a gardener and end up in a conversation, you will be answering questions about how to make a nice lawn. If you’re dry cleaner you will be asked how to remove stains. I think the difference is, people are more prepared to pay when the word consultant is in the title.