How To Run a Consulting Business

Introduction

Welcome to the fight of the Small Business Entrepreneur in the United States in 2010 and beyond. You are not alone. Being an Entrepreneur in today's US political climate is more difficult because of increased regulation with a future of a more regulated economic climate. "Ignorance is not an excuse..." requiring you to know every law the wind blows your way from any and every Federal, State, County, City, Regional, ad infinitum , ... and regulating body requiring you to comply .... with the threat of monetary or imprisonment penalties.

This information is not meant to give you specific instructions on how to setup your new Computer Consulting business, we want to give you the highlights and a checklist. The Internet is full of recommendations that a quick Google search would provide a few million to get started. And there is some excellent Books and Alan Simon's book (which was once considered the consultants bible).

Most Computer Consultants start out as a one-person small businesses working from a home-office with one-client providing a service you enjoy and are good at. Growing into a full-service Computer Consulting firm means hiring employees or teaming up with other Independent Computer Consultants providing complimentary expertise. ICCA.org primary goal is providing a Professional Network of Computer Consulting experts.

As a Computer Consultant, your primarily responsibility is solving specific client needs including IT Support, Network Installations, Managed and Hosting Services, Project Management, Training, Contract Programming, Database Architecture, Web Site Design, and Graphic Arts. As a Business Owner, you are responsible to manage your business according to all your legal responsibilities. Both take time and balancing these with a personal life and planning for retirement means you almost cannot do it alone.