How to become an ISO Consultant and How do I begin?

[Cheryl Lourdes]

Hi Guys,

After 2 years of being a Management Representative for my ex-company, i completed their Audit Surveillances with flying colours. Just a few days ago i had a call from my ex-companies customer asking me if i can become their consultant. WHich means they do not want me to become an MR but to become a consultant! Wow! my first offer.

How do i begin? I basically know how it works but do you guys have any materials or leads I can refer to too? THe money is very satisfying but i need to show that i can achive this ISO for them and not led them down.

Please help.

Wishes from Cheryl (a very loyal user of this forum few years ago.)

[Gert Sorensen]

Hi Cheryl,

Welcome back

I suggest that you browse this thread:

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=24543

There is some good points for consideration in it.

[Cheryl Lourdes]

Gosh that detailed!

Thank you!

Wishes from,
Cheryl Lourdes

[JaneB]

Originally Posted by Gert Sorensen

Hi Cheryl,

I suggest that you browse this thread:

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=24543

There is some good points for consideration in it.

Yup, heaps of really useful information. If you like reading books, try one or all of these:

1. The E-Myth (Why Small Business Doesn't Work and What To Do About It). Michael Gerber. A bit 'folksy' in style, but seriously valuable advice about the difference between being an expert (ie, good at doing something) and actually running a Business.

2. Flawless Consulting by Peter Block. Very useful on 'how to do' it, with lots of checklists etc. Naturally, it won't all directly apply, but I wish I'd come across this book way back when, instead of having to learn most of it from experience

3. The Consultant's Calling. Bringing Who You Are to What You Do. Helpful if you're trying to decide if you'd like to be a consultant, and also for helping you understand 'what kind' of consultant you are (there are many kinds) as well as giving experienced consultants some things to ponder.

Don't feel you have to be perfect though - like anything else, one gets better at it the more you do it and seek to improve. I didn't have a particularly clear marketing strategy when I set out (but I did have a client); it took me a while to work out why I needed a strategy and what to do about it & how to use my strengths to develop one that worked for me.

Good luck. I love being a consultant. Love what I do and wouldn't swap it for anything else.

[Randy]

Originally Posted by Cheryl Lourdes

Hi Guys,
THe money is very satisfying but i need to show that i can achive this ISO for them and not led them down.

Please help.

Wishes from Cheryl (a very loyal user of this forum few years ago.)

You first need to realize that you cannot achieve it for them, you can only help. If you do it it's yours, if they do it it's theirs.

As a consultant all you can do is lay down the bricks for the path they choose to follow, but it has to be with their bricks, and it the path has to be one of their choosing. You can help steer the path to keep it on track and you might be able to decide the pattern of the bricks for the path, but they have to be happy with both. If they aren't happy, they won't walk it.

[Mark R.]

Hi Cheryl:

The best advice I can give you is to know the difference between contracting and consulting. If you're performing tasks for a client, (e.g., like you said, "getting the client certified"), more than likely you're actually contracting. This includes maintaing certification for a client once they've been certified. As Randy pointed out, if you do it, its yours, not theirs.

In contrast, when you're improving your clients condition by providing advice, consultation and joint collaboration, you're consulting. In this role, you're helping the client get certified by imparting your knowledge, skill and ability; you're not doing it for them.

Needless to say, there's a significant difference between the two approaches, and between what each one is worth. The former is a commodity; the later is a specialized service that's unique to the provider.

Hope this helps - best of luck,

Mark