Introduction

Part I. Exploring Consulting: So You Want to Be a Consultant   

1. What Is Still True   

2. Essential Consulting Skills for Trainers

3. From TD to Consulting: Transition Success

4. What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Consultant

5. Taking the Plunge: Making the Big Leap into Consulting

6. Clarify Your Why 

Part II. Getting Started: Plan Your Consulting Future

7. The 5 Ps of Business Strategy: Possibilities, People, Payoff, Process, and Pivoting    

8. Consulting in a Large Company  

9. Is a Boutique Consulting Practice Right for You? 

10. The Independent Consultant: What’s Your Role?

11. Naming Your Business

12. Establishing the 21st Century Consultant’s Office

13. The Consultant as an Entrepreneur

Part III. Delivering Results: The Work of a Consultant

14. The Consultant as Coach

15. Implementing ATD’s 6D Consulting Process

16. 6 Critical Actions for Consulting Success

17. The Many Roles of an OD Consultant

18. Using Instruments and Tools for Your Client’s Success

19. Consulting for the U.S. Federal Government

20. The Challenge of Working IN and ON Your Business

Part IV. Developing Business: Finding and Keeping Clients

21. Implementing a Powerful Pricing Strategy for Consultants

22. Finding Your Niche

23. It’s All About Marketing

24. Consummate Consultative Selling

25. 6 Keys to Writing a Winning Business Proposal

26. Volunteering: A Path to Clients

27. Networking Is a Necessity

28. Make Your Consulting Practice Work for You With Passive Income

Part V. Focusing on Your Future: Define Success Your Way

29. Humble Consulting

30. The Soul of an Entrepreneur: Doing Consulting My Way

31. How to Avoid the 10 Most Common Mistakes Consultants Make

32. Looking Back to Plan Ahead: Review Your First Year in Bus 

33. 5 Ways to Build Your Business

34. Consulting Is a Relationship Business 

35. How to Show Up: Getting Your Expertise Used

Elaine Biech is president and managing principal of ebb associates inc, an organizational and leadership development firm that helps organizations work through large-scale change. Her 30 years in the training and consulting field includes support to private industry, government, and non-profit organizations. She’s written 89 books with 14 publishers, including the Washington Post number 1 bestseller, The Art & Science of Training. Elaine lives in Virginia Beach, VA.

Turn to the Definitive Guide for All Your Consulting Questions
ATD's Handbook for Consultants unpacks what it takes to run a successful consulting practice that delivers world-class solutions for clients all with the benefits of a self-directed work life.
As companies and organizations become increasingly strategic with how they use employee resources, more are engaging external consultants as highly skilled temporary labor when they lack the specialized expertise to handle their growing needs. Without the staffing flexibility to complete special projects that require more employee hours and specialized skills, companies recognize the benefits of fresh perspectives, new ideas, outside opinions, and the speed and efficiency of an expert consultant who in many cases has already tackled similar challenges with other companies.
Consulting is at the top of the list of career moves for talent development professionals and others who have unique skill sets and expertise. Whether you're considering branching out on your own, you've just launched and are struggling to keep yourself afloat, or you're looking to take your business to the next level, this book will help you clarify your "why" and make your transition a soft landing. Learn to set a business strategy, write winning business proposals, and market your products and services. Gain perspectives on multiple consulting career paths-from forming an independent consultancy to joining a boutique consulting practice to consulting with a large company.
Edited by consulting powerhouse Elaine Biech, this book is broken into five parts:
Exploring consulting: So you want to be a consultant
Getting started: Plan your consulting future
Delivering results: The work of a consultant
Developing business: Find and keep clients
Focusing on your future: Define success your way
Tap into the sage wisdom, actionable takeaways, and practical tools in this book, and set yourself apart from the competition on your journey to becoming a successful consultant.