The Consultant"s Quick Start Guide offers a practical approach to setting up a consulting business. Throughout the guide, Elaine Biech--author of the best-selling The Business of Consulting--shares both her own secrets as well as those of numerous other successful consultants. With a focus on the business side of consulting, Biech takes you through a painless, fill-in-the-blanks, step-by-step process for setting up your consulting firm. New sections include: * Why A Consulting Career -- Five Reasons Why You May Be a Good Investment * How Much Will Clients Pay? * Your first “To Do” List * What to call your business * Creating and writing Business Plans * Office Location Options * Setting up your office, including Furnishing Your Office and planning your Technical Needs * Electronic Records, including Monthly Expense Records, Revenue Projections, and Invoicing * Staying Organized, including a Session Planner * Determining your market niche * Creating your marketing plan * Developing your website * Reviewing your first year with your family * Electronic resource list, available online. * Skills And Knowledge Required of Consultants