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Information technology is something that every business uses in the day-to-day work that they do. Whether it is keeping in touch with clients and associates or marketing their services, business owners rely on IT for many reasons, and therefore hiring the help of an IT expert is often of great value.

This is also true of start-ups, which can sometimes struggle to know exactly what they need in regards to an IT service or which technology and software can help them in their endeavours. With this in mind, here are some of the main areas that an IT consulting company can help any new business get off to a good start in.

As mentioned above, it can be difficult for new businesses to know where to start when it comes to implementing IT solutions in their fledging company. For this reason, hiring an independent IT expert can help a great deal in installing this essential infrastructure that will pave the way for business success.

Some of the services that an IT consulting company can provide include advising on cloud computing solutions, network installations, software and hardware choices, as well as delivering remote and on-site IT support and carrying out computer repairs.

Having this expert perspective on what exactly is needed is valuable for any company, but especially for start-ups as they attempt to establish themselves in their chosen field or industry. This alone can be a very compelling reason to hire the help of an IT professional for an initial assessment and tailored advice.

The second point that needs to be made is that hiring an independent IT specialist can often provide excellent value for money to starter businesses, as they will not be paying out for in-house technical support instead. Indeed, the cost savings that can be made are one of the main reasons that any business hires an IT consulting company instead of employing an in-house specialist.

Furthermore, many IT consultants will tailor their services and packages to suit the businesses that they are working with. If they are working with a large business with a very large requirement of support, this can be done for a higher price rather than a smaller budget. For small and new businesses, packages of services can be tailored accordingly.

This can mean that IT solutions are available within smaller budgets and without unnecessary extraneous services or the need to hire extra staff. This can have many financial and practical benefits for any start-up.

One of the major benefits of hiring a IT consulting company to help get a new business running smoothly is that having a professional on hand to help solve difficulties and issues can mean that any technical problems will not cause potentially disastrous downtime for the business in question.

Whereas this is true for large and well established businesses as well as new and smaller companies, technical issues can be potentially devastating for a fledgling enterprise that is trying to make its mark in a saturated global economy.

Issues with internet connectivity, software issues and systems failures can all derail a small and new business that is trying to establish itself, and having IT experts on hand to help overcome these issues can make a huge positive difference for start-ups. With specialists just a phone call away, potentially disastrous problems can simply become minor hiccups.

These are just a few of the ways that an IT consulting company can help a start-up company. From advising the new enterprise on the best IT practices and tools to implement to helping overcome technical difficulties without any major problems, there are many great reasons why this kind of service can be valuable for any company that is just starting out.

Most consultants and professionals working in any kind of industry in these recession years tend to prefer the steady paycheck and relative ease of working at an established firm to the uncertainty of starting their own contractor business, having to build a new list of clients from scratch, and taking on short-term assignments. Consulting firms seem to be the easier solution for anyone with a career plan: they have established bases of clients, often a strong brand name and reputation, and they offer the kind of security one gets in any kind of full time employment at a big firm. So why even consider striking out on your own?

Working at a consulting firm certainly has its advantages, but there is a significant downside to it as well. Other than not really allowing consultants to dictate the terms of their career and professional advancement to the degree that they could if they were in charge of their own business, consulting firms do not really provide the same kind of opportunities that independent consulting assignments do.

There are a number of advantages to contract consulting and taking on interim manager jobs that most consultants do not really begin to consider until they are either faced with redundancy, or between jobs, or in need of some fast cash. Anyone interested in expanding his or her career options and business opportunities should absolutely at least toy with the possibility at some point, independently of present status and employment.

The main career advantage to taking on contractor roles is that that interim assignments give an industry professional an opportunity to explore more industry niches in a shorter period of time, to gain more experience across different fields of expertise, and make more new business contacts than he or she ordinarily would while working at the same office every day. Business contacts and professional acquaintances always matter if you are looking to advance your career. Beyond that, if you have any misgivings about your choice of career, the kind of work you do from day to day, and where you feel your career is going, by taking on more temporary jobs, you are giving yourself a wider range of opportunities to really figure out what works best for you.

It may not be easy to take the leap and take on the risk that goes with being self-employed, but it is definitely an option you may some day regret not having explored.

A person who works in business consulting analyzes the status, operating procedures, and resources of a given corporation. The consultant will also look for ways to enhance the operations model that the company uses and assist the company in better utilizing its existing resources. Additionally, the consultant will use information about the company’s operations and profits to identify potential areas of future growth.

People who work in the business consulting field may specialize in one particular industry or offer their services to corporations in a number of different industries. Other consultants may focus on one specific type of problem or focus on providing a specific solution once the problem has been identified. Being a successful consultant generally requires knowledge of many different areas, including computer science, marketing, sales, operational management, finances, and human resources.

Corporations generally contact business consulting professionals when their company is stagnant or does not seem to be meeting its full potential. The consultant will gather data about the company to analyze how it currently operates and identify any problems that it has that may be preventing it from moving forward. This involves taking a thorough look at all aspects and departments of the company, including its supervisors, executives, and management.

As they gather and organize data about the company, consultants will identify potential problem areas and try to think of ways to fix those problems. The specific processes and procedures a consultant can use will vary based on the status, nature, and size of the company, as well as the resources that the consultant has at his or her disposal. They will also pay special attention to the industry that the company operates within and the consumer demand and expectations within that industry. Most business consulting jobs will eventually lead to the identification of the company’s strengths and the weakness.

During evaluation, the consultant will identify the assets and liabilities inherent in the way the company currently operates. Restructuring consists of figuring out ways to keep or improve the company’s assets while reducing or eliminating the liabilities.

The way restructuring works can involve any number of different things. It can include shifting personnel around, changing the way payroll works, eliminating departments, or shifting the focus of the company. It can also include changing the marketing or advertising techniques that the company uses. Any adjustments they suggest are intended to have positive effect on the way the company operates.

Advertising dates back to the times in history, when in ancient Egypt, Greece and even Rome this was practiced using papyrus papers. Advertising make you walk on the path of communication that is effective to help market products for the clients. Sheer logic and mathematics along with creativity can make your stay in this field reap proper results. On the one hand, you can get a normal full time job in advertising in various positions offered by the agencies, on the other hand, you can also try for the consulting advertising jobs that will not only pay you more. However, will also help you achieve assorted understanding of advertising.

How to get an entry

Understanding advertising is the basic step that will make your chance stronger when you begin to think yourself as a consultant. As a consultant, you will have to follow certain ethics of advertising industry. Reaching a certain stage of your advertising or marketing career makes you aware of the industry thereby making you more open to the post of a consultant. An advertising consultant must always remember that he/ she is been hired by the company along with their normal full time staffs to bring about a change which suits the best interest of the clients.

The basics to fulfill the interest of the agency and their clients

You will have to decide, for which position you want to do the consulting job. What are your strong areas, the position may vary from copy-writing to client servicing as well. Sometimes as a consultant with a few successful campaigns to boost your resume, you must be required to work for more than one agency at the same time. Never get confused with the various briefs you get and prepare yourself to work more from home by accommodating yourself more to the internet. Following these basics will help you get the best results and help you work more without wasting more time on traveling.

The future

Deciding to opt for consulting advertising jobs at some point in your career needlessly opens up better and new opportunities for tomorrow. With a job in consulting, it is soon enough that you get tagged as the consultant in some position in the industry. With every new work you take up you get to meet new people and thus your contacts keeps increasing. With time you will find yourself in a very comfortable position from where opening a new advertising agency will just be a cakewalk for you. However, be sure to make communication your backbone, while everyday you keep coming across new challenges as a consultant. This will secure your future in advertising largely.

Being in a consultant job sometimes might require you to be present for your agencies presentation as well. Be sure to discuss the terms of your job very clearly with the agency head or the HR representative from the beginning itself. Try to keep everything in pen and paper, as you would mostly be doing freelancing or consulting so keeping official records will only benefit you. Being organized will be very useful to help you handle more work at the same time. With every terms of work mentioned clearly and recorded on paper.

The Tragedy

Late one Friday afternoon Susan, RN, BSN, CLNC received a call from an insurance defense attorney asking her to review a plaintiff’s medical records. On Monday morning, with the deposition just 24 hours away, the attorney sent Susan four volumes of medical records documenting ten years of the plaintiff’s medical history.

Here are the facts of the case:

1. The defendant had agreed to be the designated driver when she and a group of friends went out partying.

2. On the way home from the second bar the defendant driver, who had not been drinking, hit a tree.

3. Everyone except the plaintiff had on seat belts and walked away from the accident.

4. The unrestrained plaintiff suffered a fractured vertebra that was repaired surgically.

5. He claimed the injuries sustained in the accident totally disabled him and were the sole cause of his weakness, fatigue and inability to work.

Certified Legal Nurse Consultant’s Analysis Revealed a Very Different Picture

Few attorneys know how to read medical records or understand the terminology and subtleties of healthcare issues to achieve the best results for their clients. A Certified Legal Nurse Consultant bridges that gap in the attorney’s knowledge. While the attorney is the expert on legal issues, the CLNC® consultant is the expert on nursing, the healthcare system and its inner workings.

In this case, the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant’s grasp of the plaintiff’s pre-existing conditions enabled her to discover that his claims of injury were suspect. His extensive medical file revealed:

- He had a long history of HIV and had complained of fatigue on several occasions.

- Prior to the accident he was on AZT, Combivir and Bacofen. These medications have
numerous side effects, including weakness, fatigue, headaches, dizziness and muscle breakdown.

- He had chronic hepatitis, which also contributed to his weakness, fatigue and malaise.

- Because of the hepatitis, his treating doctor had documented that the plaintiff was not to drink. Yet his blood alcohol level was significantly elevated when he arrived at the emergency room following the accident.

Services Offered By Certified Legal Nurse Consultants That Help Attorneys

In addition to reviewing medical records, Certified Legal Nurse Consultants:

- Identify applicable standards of care

- Develop case chronologies and timelines

- Prepare summaries of the extent of injury or illness

- Conduct research on various case issues

- Locate expert witnesses

…and many other services.

In this case, Susan interpreted the records, prepared an in-depth review of the plaintiff’s pre-existing conditions, wrote deposition questions, attended the deposition and helped prepare the attorney for mediation.

The straightforward questions she proposed came directly from her basic nursing assessment skills. Despite their simplicity, the attorney considered them strokes of genius.

During deposition the plaintiff stated that prior to the accident he was fine and had no complaints. Armed with the Certified Legal Nurse Consultant’s report, the defense attorney was well prepared to dispute this testimony. He used her questions to draw out inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s story:

1. Describe the onset, location, duration and severity of your pain.

2. When did these symptoms start?

3. Did you have any of these problems before the accident?

Certified Legal Nurse Consultant Saved Defendant Millions of Dollars on Settlement

Mediation was set for the next day. The plaintiff attorney stated that his client was severely injured during this accident and the defendant was responsible. He demanded $5,000,000 from the defendant above the $500,000 policy limits.
In response, the defense attorney clearly related the plaintiff’s ongoing complaints to his long history of HIV and hepatitis, the side effects of his medications and his noncompliance with his physician’s orders. As Susan had discovered, these facts had been documented in the medical record long before the accident, and his complaints were therefore not solely the result of the accident.

At this point the plaintiff attorney blurted out, “This case has been in my office for two years, and this is the first time I’ve heard this information.” He obviously had not used the services of a Certified Legal Nurse consultant.

The case settled for $10,000, a pittance compared to the initial $5,000,000 demand. “It was extremely satisfying,” Susan commented, “knowing my nursing expertise helped the defendant save millions.”

The Certified Legal Nurse Consultant Is a Specialized Member of the Litigation Team

As in this case, a Certified Legal Nurse consultant’s professional contributions are often critical to achieving a fair and just outcome for all parties. They have consulted on cases as simple as a neck injury caused by an auto accident, as high-profile as the Rodney King case and as groundbreaking as Fen-Phen, Vioxx, silicone implants and toxic mold litigation.

Attorneys rely on Certified Legal Nurse Consultants for a variety of medical-related cases including medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability, toxic tort, workers’ compensation and criminal.

Susan lives in a rural area and works from home with attorneys from several states. Certified Legal Nurse Consultants practice all over the U.S. Wherever there are attorneys, CLNC® services are needed. According to the American Bar Association, 1,116,967 attorneys are in practice today. Approximately 25 percent of these attorneys deal with medical malpractice and personal injury cases and could use a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant as their secret weapon.

Additionally, Certified Legal Nurse Consultants provide healthcare expertise for insurance companies, utilization review firms, government agencies, private corporations and hospitals both as staff members and consultants.

Certified Legal Nurse Consultants regularly report earning fees of $150 per hour. The legal nurse consulting profession allows nurses many options for establishing a satisfying and profitable part-time or full-time consulting career.

If you want to increase your business success by creating and implementing a marketing plan but don’t have the internal resources, you can seek the assistance of a marketing consultant. What small businesses and large businesses need in a marketing consultant may be very different. A small business likely needs a consultant with a broader range of marketing expertise; one who is not only able to create the big picture plans but is also able to get down to the nuts and bolts of plan implementation.

Six Questions to Ask a Marketing Consultant Before You Hire

1. Does the marketing consultant have a depth of experience in a variety of industries?

A marketing consultant does not need to have background in your industry. It is more important that they are able to draw from a minimum of 15 years marketing experience in a variety of industries. If they have experience with different business and marketing models, they have a whole tool box of techniques to apply to your business.

2. Does the marketing consultant have experience in a wide range of marketing disciplines form marketing management and research to copywriting and publicity?

Marketing professionals tend to specialize in one area. It may be marketing strategy or research. Many copywriters have no background in marketing. And publicity is a whole different game. If you can find a consultant, however, who has experience in three or four of these areas, you are a step ahead. This person can assure that your marketing strategy is based on market information. They are able to take your marketing process from research and strategy to the details of tactics, budgeting and implementation. They can create your website and write press releases that get you in the news. You save time because you only have to communicate with one individual to achieve your goals.

3. What kind of results has this marketing consultant achieved in the past?

Find out what kind of results a prospective marketing consultant has achieved in the past. Have they increased market share and brand awareness? Have they introduced new products that have boosted sales? Have they created cost-effective marketing solutions when budgets were limited? Their past results are a predictor of what they can do for you.

4. Is the marketing consultant a good listener?

You want a consultant who is intent on learning as much as possible about your business and your market. Listening skills are important if they are going to come up to speed quickly and learn the ins-and-outs of your industry and company. A good consultant listens more than they talk. They ask open-ended questions and soak up information. They can then synthesize their knowledge and turn it into actionable strategies to grow your business.

5. Is the marketing consultant’s business large or small?

Small businesses are better working with marketing consultants from a small business. While your business may be lost in a large agency or consultancy, it is important for a small organization. Because you are not supporting a large overhead, you receive better value. Another advantage is that you are dealing directly with the person creating the plan. No intermediaries or communication issues. Finally, someone from a small business can better empathize with your needs and concerns.

6. Does the marketing consultant have new product development experience?

If your company’s success is dependent on a constant stream of new products or services, you should seek a consultant who is experienced in the new product development process. This consultant understands the importance of developing a marketing plan when the initial concepts are created. They assure that your product concept is differentiated and matters to the customer. After all, you want to develop products your customers will love, your distributors will stock and whose benefits can be communicated to your target audience.

Asking these six questions before you before you hire can help you to achieve the results you desire from your marketing initiatives.

The consulting field is getting crowded these days, for a couple of reasons; one, companies are downsizing, but often still need the expertise, and two, with so many experienced folks out of work, starting a small consulting business is a career option. Sure, that makes sense it is a viable option, that is if you do it right, but still the consulting business isn’t like other types of small businesses – not everyone readily values experience, knowledge, and wisdom. Yes, entrepreneurs and executives should, but often don’t.

Further, with the abundance of information online, many business owners feel they don’t need to “pay” someone to come in and assist them, this reality coupled with the reality that strong-willed and strong ego’ed entrepreneurs think they can do it all better themselves creates a challenge for modern day consultants. Lastly, a final challenge out here in the real world is that there are so many folks doing consulting, paid-mentoring, and coaching that the average quality of expertise has dwindled, thus giving the profession a bad name, and really what’s that joke at the proverbial cocktail party;

“So what kind of work do you do?” – “Oh, I am a consultant,” – “I see, so you’ve been laid off and out of work for a good number of months or years too?”

Now then, as a part-time consultant and a retired Franchisor running a Think Tank, I can tell you that I’ve met some true standouts, but also witnessed the deluge of folks entering the field. Just as during the height of the real estate bubble when everyone and their brother was a “mortgage broker” – today, there are far too many consultants who quite frankly don’t know what they are doing, and really do need some training, practice, and to hone their skill set. Perhaps, this is why I chose to write on this topic today, and explain all this to you.

Everyone has to start somewhere, not having the consulting experience, but clearly having the industry knowledge is merely a small challenge to overcome. First, a bit of know-how in the consulting sector is needed, and secondly, an honest look in your mirror – that perhaps like many of the corporate executives and entrepreneurs that you will be consulting, maybe it’s time to dump the ego, and listen, acquire these new skills, and focus on doing it right. Why not be your own consultant and develop a strategic plan for your new business, because consulting is a business, and it’s not like other businesses.

Indeed, I believe that you’d be wise to know what I know, and what I’ve learned the hard way to save yourself future frustration and hassle, but to do that unfortunately will take you 30-years of experience for which I am quite certain you don’t have the time, thus, may I suggest that you study up on the topic before diving in, both for your sake and the sake of your clients.

Remember, a good part of my franchising experience was consulting, coaching, and mentoring our franchisees so they could win in the marketplace. I want you to win too in your consulting business, and that means those you do consult must improve their efficiencies, teams, and bottom line as well. It is imperative that you get this right, for yourself, and personal income and your clients too. Please consider some of this advice I’ve given you. I am humbled by the fact that you’ve come this far, and are now wanting to help others through your consulting business.