What are your thoughts on consulting on part-time basis?

[DeanConsulting]

I am considering getting into computer consulting on a part-time basis will I continue to work fulltime at my present job.

My strongest skills would be: programming, computer repair, computer setup, and training.

I live in the western part of Kentucky. We are about 2 hours from the nearest major city.

Anyone have any options or advice they can share with me? I would greatly appreciate any help and thanks in advance.

Noble


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Noble D. Bell

http://www.noblesoftware.com

http://www.noblebell.com

 

[JRMS]

Hey Noble,

I think its a great idea. You have to start somewhere. I started consulting part-time as well. Now I am doing it full time.

Jay

 

[mmorancbt]

I started consulting part-time in 1992. I went full-time in 1995. Since then I have always earned 6 figures, worked mostly out of my house, and currently try not to work more than 36 hours any given week.

I discussed this in a Podcast I did last year:
http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com/2005/12/show-5-part-time-consulting-your-first.html

The Podcast prior to that is also about part-time consulting. I believe I have links to an income forecasting spreadsheet and a proposal template.

Sorry, no additional Podcasts for the past 7 months. A video cast - Technology, Careers, & Consulting is in the works - actually episode 1 is currently filmed - as an introduction, and 3 more shows have been written.

I hope you find the information helpful.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com

 

[johnwm]

You don't see any potential ethical conflicts between your employment and your consultancy business? As long as the 2 activities do not have any areas of overlap in terms of operations OR clients, then you only need to ensure that your current contract allows you to take on other paid work.

Otherwise you will spend a lot more than your consulting fees on paying lawyers!

________________________________________________________________
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'If we're supposed to work in Hex, why have we only got A fingers?'
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[chiph]

Like johnwm says -- you have to be totally sure there's no overlap between the two jobs.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[DeanConsulting]

There will be no problems between my full-time job and my part-time consulting job. In fact, my boss is aware of my intentions and has no problem with it as long as I do not do anything that would obviously interfere with my job.


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Noble D. Bell

http://www.noblesoftware.com

http://www.noblebell.com

 

[bwtc]

I am in the same position as Noble.

My boss fully encourages any type of work that does not interfere with our full-time job. His philosophy is what you do on your own time is your business.

He has his own consulting company on the side, as does someone else in my department.

I am in the infancy stages of setting something up, and am open to any advise.

Thanks

 

[mmorancbt]

I just discussed with my editor my next writing project for Pearson IT Pro (Cisco Press, Peachpit, Prentice Hall, informit.com, etc.). I was going to write, The Technology Consultant's Toolkit - as a book but instead we are going to write 3 e-books with sample files (proposals, financial, contracts, engagement documents, reports, etc.)

The current plan is:
The Technology Consultant's Toolkit: Sales & Marketing

The Technology Consultant's Toolkit: Business Management (time, financial, and client engagement practices)

The Technology Consultant's Toolkit: Concept Over Process/Project Development & Innovation (problem solving, business acumen)

My plan is to write #1 and #3 first - I have particular business reasons for doing so. If these project interest you, either keep an eye on my blog at IT Toolbox (not my company, just a place I blog) or at the Technology, Careers, & Consulting podcast site (below).

Specific questions are always encouraged.

Thanks,




Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

http://techcareerconsult.blogspot.com