Open Space - the discussion goes on

Newsletter - Are you user-friendly?
I normally try to give only positive advice in this newsletter, but I was asked this week for my thoughts on the top mistakes consultants and freelancers when dealing with new clients. That got me thinking about some of the things that we all sometimes do with the best of intentions but that result in mis-understandings and losing business. You can see my top mistakes, along with other people's contributions here, but I think the positive message we can take from all of the negatives is the need to listen carefully to what your client is saying, however daft it may seem, and try to look at things from their point of view - rather than pitching straight in with our own opinions.
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Newsletter - Advisors get involved locally
For some advisors getting involved with local businesses and organisations is an obvious way to make new business contacts, but those of us who travel a lot for work sometime overlook the benefits of local networking. I know that I've often under-estimated the quality and quantity of useful people in my local area. If you're busy, then building local contacts can help you find people to support you and take some of the load. If you're not, then getting involved in local organisations will get you out and about and making new contacts - and you never know when a fellow committee member will turn out to be a potential client!
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Open Space - the discussion goes on

In this week's newsletter:

Open Space - the discussion continues
Membership Fees 2010
This week's projects
Promoting your business

Open Space - the discussion continues

One of the highlights of the conference for me was the Open Space discussion. The key feature of this session, facilitated by Chris Pearse, was that the topics for discussion were suggested entirely by the delegates - and the discussions were also self-led and managed. Some of the topics were ones I expected to come up, but others were a surprise and it was great to have such a wide range of open and constructive conversation. It seems a pity to stop there, so I've set up a discussion for each of the topics that was suggested on LinkedIn so people can keep chatting.

Membership Fees 2010

We've given a lot of thought to fees for next year as our costs have risen steadily, in addition to the investment we've been making in the new web site. However, we're also conscious that this is a difficult time for everyone in the independent sector so we've decided to limit the increase to just cover our cost increases. Standard Consultant membership will be £144 from January 1st and the cost to non-members of individual tender documents will be £20 including VAT. VAT is also due to go back up to 17.5% on 1st Jan so if you're planning to join then now is the right time, just click here and login to pay on-line.

This week's projects

This is a fairly mixed selection of projects that have been posted in the last 2 weeks - direct projects go very quickly so not all are listed here - to make sure you get to here about all the projects that match your skills, why not join Skillfair - then we can send you a daily update and you won't miss out.

Direct Client Market Research & Analysis
Collaboration on Marketing Project, Northern Ireland
non-executive senior generalist business advisers
Google Earth Sketchups of Office buildings
Opportunity PR marketing and sales for start up , Eastern England
Key Account Manager Pharmaceutical
Direct Client Full Time Lean Change Agent for Leading Hospital, Greater London
Client Web Site Interim Marketing Manager , West Midlands
Development of Work Experience Project, North West England
Market Share Analysis Review, Wales
Business Plan for Community Hall, Scotland
Specialist advice on sustainability issues , East Midlands
Workforce skills development programme evaluation
Client Web Site Feasibility study for renewable energy , Scotland
Project Manager - Arts Development Group, North West England
Website for art gallery,Yorkshire and Humberside
Development of user-led organisations,Yorkshire and Humberside
Corporate IT Training, Greater London
Client Web Site Film/Video Maker, West Midlands
Promoting the Business Case for Diversity , East Midlands
Middle Management Development Tender, South East
Corporate intranet template design, South West
Interim Project Co-ordinator/Administrator, Greater London
OJEU Renewable Energy Supply Chain Opportunities , West Midlands
OJEU Social Work Team Manager Development Programme, Wales
OJEU Vocational Training, South West
OJEU Technical Advice for Engines, England
OJEU Educational Professional Development, East Midlands
OJEU E recruitment Solution, United Kingdom
OJEU SAP Business Support Partner, West Midlands

Promoting your business

At this time of year many people start planning events and activities for the spring - so this seemed a good time to remind you about our Events and Offers alert. This is a cheap and very effective way of promoting workshops, seminars & networking events as well as services that are of interest to other consultants. People have also used it with great success to offer free web site reviews, circulate white papers & e-books and so on.

You have to be a member to post an offer, but membership includes enough credits to post 2 offers, each of which will be sent to well over 10,000 consultants. So if you're planning an event for next year, why not join now and let everyone know about it.