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- Submitting a proposal and safeguarding your ideas
- If you think you have to wait for a prospective client to send out an RFP before you submit a proposal, don't. You can get a jump on your competition. You'll also learn how to safeguard your ideas in your proposals.Consultants most commonly write proposals in response to a request...
- Tags: Meredith Little, RFP
- Technical articles 2002-04-29
- Choosing the online help format that's best for your project
- No developer wants to work on online documentation, but it is a necessary evil. This article explores the concept of developing online help and describes the available help formats.If you develop applications that ship with printed documentation, you might want to consider adding an online help system. The conventional wisdom...
- Tags: Meredith Little, online help, tool
- Technical articles 2002-04-30
- Choose the right tool for creating online help
- Creating online help is often seen as a burden, but many tools are available to simplify the process. Here's a look at the choices in today's market.Like any other development task, building a help system for your applications requires you to select the best tool for the job. In my...
- Tags: PRODUCTIVITY, Meredith Little, online help, tool, RoboHELP
- Technical articles 2002-05-07
- What to include in formal and informal proposals
- Responding to a proposal, whether it's an RFP or an informal discussion with a client, demands a careful approach. Here's a rundown of the elements of both formal and informal proposals.Whether you’re writing a proposal in response to a request for proposal RFP or trying to set yourself apart from...
- Tags: Meredith Little, RFP
- Technical articles 2002-04-22
- Finding and responding to RFPs: Tips for IT consultants
- When should you respond to an RFP and when should you ignore it? Learn about helpful Web sites and tips that could lead you to new contracts in both the public and private sectors.As a consultant, a large part of procuring government contracts will hinge on your ability to find...
- Tags: SEARCH, information technology, Meredith Little, RFP, requests for proposal
- Technical articles 2002-03-29
- How to tell whether a potential client is worth your time
- Asking the right questions can tell you whether a potential client is serious about using your services or is just wasting your time. Get the information on what every consultant should ask and how to know when you should bail out.Consultants can’t expect every contact to result in a contract....
- Tags: Meredith Little, potential client
- Technical articles 2002-03-04
- When should consultants buy professional liability insurance?
- Consultants who don't know about professional liability insurance run the risk of being taken to court if one of their projects goes awry. Here's a look at how such coverage may protect you and your livelihood.As an independent contractor, you’ve probably had to set up your own insurance coverage, including...
- Tags: Insurance, Strategy, SECURITY, Meredith Little, tech industry, liability insurance, risk, professional liability insurance
- Technical articles 2002-02-19
- Finding and pricing professional liability insurance
- Professional liability insurance can offer you, as a consultant, protection from accusations that you didn't fulfill your obligations on a contract. Meredith Little tells you where to find it and strategies for figuring your premiums.As a consultant, it’s likely that you may consider buying professional liability insurance. In some instances,...
- Tags: pricing strategy, Meredith Little, liability insurance, professional liability insurance, insurance
- Technical articles 2002-02-26
- Build a compelling case for hiring a pro to write your documentation
- Sure, you'd like to have a technical writer create your documentation, but you're not the one who needs convincing. Find out how to marshal your arguments and persuade your boss that you should hire a pro to do the writing.In my previous article, I discussed how to analyze documentation projects...
- Tags: Meredith Little, hiring, technical writer
- Technical articles 2002-02-08
- Handling development-tool disagreements
- Debates over the use of ColdFusion vs. Visual Studio Pro are fine, unless you're a consultant who is arguing with your client. Here's what to do if you and your client don't see eye to eye on the "right" tools for the job.Here’s a common scenario for contractors: Both you...
- Tags: PRODUCTIVITY, Meredith Little, tool
- Technical articles 2002-02-05
- When--and how--should you lobby for outsourcing your documentation?
- Good news for developers who'd rather let someone else write their documentation: There may be a valid business case for outsourcing the task. Demonstrate the benefits of hiring a tech writer, and you can get back to polishing that killer app.If scientists ever discover a gene that inclines developers toward...
- Tags: Meredith Little, outsourcing, developer, technical writer
- Technical articles 2002-01-29
- Engage potential clients with a solution-oriented presentation
- All of your skills and the preparation work you've done for that great presentation will mean nothing if you put your potential clients to sleep. Here are some ways to keep them engaged and get the contract.Think of all the PowerPoint presentations you’ve endured during your career. How many captured...
- Tags: Meredith Little, potential client
- Technical articles 2002-01-17
- Laying the groundwork for a successful pitch to clients
- Your skills as a consultant mean little if you can't effectively show clients that you're the best person for the job. We'll give you some pointers on your business presentation tactics to help you land the contract.What’s the best way to convince a potential client to sign on with your...
- Tags: Recruitment & Selection, Meredith Little, potential client
- Technical articles 2002-01-08
- Your contract or your client's contract?
- As a consultant, whose contract will hold the most benefit, the one you bring or the one your potential client recommends? Here's a look at how to prepare for each possibility.Over time, most independent contractors develop a standard contract they like to use, one shaped by their previous contracting experiences....
- Tags: Meredith Little
- Technical articles 2002-01-02
- Year-end tax tips for consultants
- Consultants who run their own business can find tax relief in a variety of ways. Here's a look at how you can still reduce your tax liability for 2001.Right now, holiday preparations probably have a higher priority for you than preparing for April 15. After all, tax time is four...
- Tags: Taxes, Free trade, Meredith Little, tax, income
- Technical articles 2001-12-19
- When is it time to raise your rates?
- Raising your rates take a little more planning than just telling your clients that you'll be charging them 10 percent more per hour. Here's how you can justify an increase and keep your clients.If you are turning away business, or if your consultancy has become so successful and well established...
- Tags: Meredith Little
- Technical articles 2001-12-10
- Including clients' projects in your portfolio
- While a portfolio is an easy way to show potential clients your past work, obtaining permission to do so can take some planning. Here are some ways to ensure that you can include past work in a portfolio.While a portfolio is an incredibly useful tool for convincing clients that you...
- Tags: Advertising & Promotion, Meredith Little, permission
- Technical articles 2001-11-19
- Putting together a portfolio
- Giving potential clients samples of your consulting work shouldn't be a problem, right? Are you sure you're not violating confidentiality agreements? And how do you show someone an ERP implementation? Here's a look at how to present your work.In contracting, unlike in the stock market, past performance is a reliable...
- Tags: Manufacturing, Meredith Little
- Technical articles 2001-11-08
- American consultants: Resources for working abroad
- Working abroad can be a valuable experience for any consultant. Getting started, however, may take some work. We point you to three articles and other resources on the Web that can help you take the first steps.For consultants, working abroad can bring increased career opportunities and chances to experience new...
- Tags: Beth Blakely, Meredith Little, visa
- Technical articles 2001-11-09
- Research client financials and business environment before signing on
- Finding out about a client's financial and business information can help a consultant determine if it's too risky to accept a contract offer. Here are some ways to get detailed financial information on what could be your next paying client.Few things about a potential contractor will impress a client more...
- Tags: Financial accounting, Sales channel, Meredith Little, financial, business information
- Technical articles 2001-10-29
