I’m writing a book on how to become a consultant
And I’ve given myself 99 days to do it
‘The Consultant’s Handbook’ is my next book project which I’m writing in public.
The Introduction & the Consulting Skills section are drafted.
Contents
Introduction
1 – Problems and Solutions
2 – What is Understanding?
3 – Understanding I: The Document Review
4 – Understanding II – Interviews
5 – Developing an effective Solution
6 – Presenting your Solution
7 – Generating Support and Buy-In

Please leave comments and add suggestions below once you’ve had a read – I’d love to know what you think and what I can do to make the book better
Sections under construction
Part 2 – Managing a Consulting Firm
- Getting Work (read the draft here)
- Rates and Pricing (read the draft here)
- Client Management
- Project design
- Getting set up (In draft)
Comments, ideas, suggestions?
I’m really interested in hearing what people think about the book as it goes so comments will be turned on for the draft pages and I look forward to hearing what you think.
Two short caveats:
1 – After 20+ years, I know my way around consultancy but I don’t know my way around your specific client and their challenges. Therefore, even though I’m writing this guide to help consultants like you solve problems, I’m not responsible for what you get up to with this information.
2 – The sections of The Consultant’s Handbook you see in these pages is a work in progress so it may be incomplete. If you are looking for something urgently, please try other resources on the site. The Projects page is a good place to start..
A good start to the book, I look forward to reading each chapter as you you complete them.
An area that I think is crucial to consultants is where do they source and win consulting engagements.
Without an engagement, a consultant is not practicing his skills.
Thanks Chris. Great suggestion and I’ll add it to the plan.
An invaluable project when completed…thanks
Part 1 is by it’s self a very useful read for potential consultants and practicing consultants. Part 2 will no doubt be a continuation of the theme with supporting annexes. I look forward to the next release.