A business
plan for computer consultants could be focused on services from
high school students, or from Ph.D. pros establishing
international communications networks. Or both. Or somewhere in
between.
KEY CONSIDERATION
Choose your target clientele
very carefully. Then document the dickens out of it. There are
tens of thousands of "computer consultants" out there.
Distinguish and define your business to set yourself apart from
the others.
STRONGEST ADVANTAGE
This is one of the very major
growth areas in business over the next few decades. Position
yourself right here, and you are destined for a very lucrative
career. The key is to really define that market. Are you going
after the home market? the small business market? large company
projects? government projects? projects based on a specific
technology? Because there is so much that you could go after,
finding your niche shouldn't be difficult.
STRONGEST DISADVANTAGE
Few finance people understand
the implications of the business that you are entering. Don't
assume that, because your business has the word "computer" in
it, you are guaranteed funding. You've got a better crack at it
than most. But you still need a strong, clear presentation to
get someone to write that check.
OVERCOMING THE DISADVANTAGES
WITH YOUR BUSINESS PLAN FOR COMPUTER CONSULTANTS
Prove that you have been
successful in your business.
Proving your qualifications is more important here than in many
business areas. Detail your educations, your training, your job
assignments that pertain to this business. List awards you have
won, articles you have authored, commendations you have
received.
In short, picture yourself as
the outstanding success that you are. This is not a time to be
modest. You've earned the respect of the industry, so show it
off.
And, as a guru already, there
are probably already consulting projects that you have taken on,
perhaps even completed. The more real accomplishment you can
demonstrate before ever talking with a finance person, the
better off you are. Make your business plan for computer
consultants work to show off your talent.
Being The Pro for the Job is what Makes It Work
Don't go after the
international jobs unless you are truly qualified. And
conversely, don't limit yourself to local "home computer" jobs
if you are qualified for better assignments.
Fit your qualifications to the
type of business you are looking to fund.
There is one exception: If you
are on the far end of your career, take your skills and use them
to create a small business computer consulting business. Lots
and lots of small businesses will appreciate your years of
experience.
HOW MUCH FUNDING WILL YOUR
BUSINESS PLAN FOR COMPUTER CONSULTANTS NEED?
Look back up at the top of the
page. What kind of business do you really want? A one person
business? A hundred person business? The hundred person business
won't necessarily make you richer than the one person business.
It is all a matter of choice.
Then, as with any business, sit down and run the numbers.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FOR YOUR BUSINESS PLAN FOR COMPUTER CONSULTANTS AND YOUR
MARKETING PLAN FOR COMPUTER CONSULTANTS
There are two types of
statistical information on your computer consulting marketing
plan that you will need. One is for the computer consultant
industry itself, and one is for the type of industry or area
that you are focusing on.
For statistical information go
to
BizMiner.
At the home page, look for the
Search Box for "Industry Search". Key in "computer consultant".
You will be taken to a page
where you order both a Financial Analysis and Marketing Research
Report on the Computer Consultant Industry. It is important to
know what this data says because it is compiled from over 1500
firms, and it is exactly what your banker/lender will be
reading.
If your business plan for
computer consultants is to focus on a particular industry group,
such as the food industry or petroleum industry, it is important
to evaluate stats on that industry as well. In the "Industry
Search" box, key in the name of the industry you will be working
in.
Or, for information on a
particular geographical area, look in the left hand column for
"Area Demographics". If your geographical area is listed here,
you are home free. If it isn't, then a trip to your local
Country Planning Department is your best bet.
YOUR LIKELY LENDER/INVESTOR
The
SBA
is your best bet for smaller businesses. Larger businesses might
look to
venture lending.
If yours is a unique approach
with new technology, look to
angel investors to get started.
YOUR ONLINE WORLD
You can't beat
my web host.
That's how you found this site. And, yes, you can still design
your own websites with SBI.
YOUR BUSINESS PLAN FOR
COMPUTER CONSULTING
With the skills that you have,
the world is your oyster. Go after it. Target your market. Back
it up with stats, and your financing will be there.
