How To Keep Consulting Contract Extended.
A successful consultant is one who listens carefully and delivers what is needed. Remember, as a consultant you are by yourself i.e.
- Try to keep all your communications on email with your client. If clients use some application for bug/issue tracking, or any kind of procedure for keep track of any changes or decision making, use that completely.
- There are times when consultants are not called for company meetings or parties, clients usually have some hidden issues, in which they dont want consultant to participate. Dont take such situations personally.
- Always make sure to know names of people you work with and remember them.
- You should try to help client to come down to some decision making. You are not supposed to make decisions, client is.
- EGO problem. Big Problem. You should help client to execute his project and make him successful. You get paid for helping client in his work not to prove that you are smarter than client.
- Many times client knows technical solutions to the problem, but they want to delegate work to you. Never underestimate knowledge of your client.
- Care about your client and his work. Help him in his work. Always try to give more than what you are paid for, this will bring more billable hours in future.
- Build relation with client and dont just focus on technical execution.
- Be a good team member; thank people who help in project. Consider sending personal note of thanks.
- Like in boxing, the last few punches have to be really hard to get a knock off, same way in any project; last few steps matter most and should be done very nicely. Completion of a task should be executed really well.
- Take initiative to get timely feedback from client. Accept their comments honestly and try to improvise.
- Promise what you can give them. Then work hard to go extra mile and eventually deliver more than what was decided.
- Always be prepared with "Elevator Pitch" i.e. how would you describe your work or experience in 30 seconds, while you are in elevator with someone.
- Keep looking for opportunities to help to everyone in project team. This way everyone will be glad to have you around. You never know, some present junior Manager becomes your leader in next project.
I have found many friends who have stopped working hard once they started making 80k + salary. As a consultant you have to keep polishing your skills, try to learn new things. Lets end this topic with words of bill gates, As technology makes it easier for a business to find and collaborate with outside expertise, a huge and competitive market for consultants will arise.