July | 2016 | Amberhill Associates Ltd ©️Chris Robinson

So you really want to start your own Consultancy business from scratch !?

Here are some tips I hope will help:-

Identify your key skills – if you want to sell yourself as a Consultant the first thing you need to identify is the skills you possess which people will be willing to pay for. If you can’t do this don’t give up your day job.
Develop a Business Plan – don’t put it off because you can’t be bothered or don’t think it’s necessary. If you want people to take you seriously as a Business you need to start thinking like a Business.
Identify your target market – who are you going to sell your skills to ? – your current or former employer perhaps ? Former customers or suppliers, ex colleagues, business partners etc etc
Network – Develop your contacts, LinkedIn is great for this but don’t forget about your address book & business card collection.
Have a look at the Professional Contractors Group website www.pcg.org.uk – it has a fantastic free downloadable guide for freelancers/consultants.
If you still want to take the plunge this is perhaps the hardest step of all – You will need a MINIMUM of 6 months income in the bank before you start. Do not plan to earn anything from your Consultancy business for the first six months. If you really want to succeed with your own Consultancy business you will find this money. If you see this as too big a hurdle then sorry but Consultancy is not for you.

Look out for my new book “Start your own Consultancy – Now!”

All companies need to be mindful of costs & for those producing products this is best done at the Design stage. Here are some suggestions:-

Before beginning the design a Product Specification is essential, this needs to have been agreed at Senior Management level.
The product design needs to meet the spec and no more.
The material choice is critical, why make it out of gold if steel will do.
Use minimum thickness, as long as the design meets the spec.
Reduce the number of components as much as possible.
Re-use existing design components wherever possible – this gives Purchasing negotiating strength over suppliers and reduces inventory.
Consider Manufacturing by minimizing the number of process steps in manufacture.
Hold regular Design reviews & involve other parts of the Organization.
Build a prototype to test the design.
If possible test the Design using Computer Aided Modelling.

If you need help minimizing cost at the Design stage feel free to get in touch.
chris@amberhill-associates.com

Amberhill Associates Ltd ©️Chris Robinson