The Consulting Bible: How to Launch and Grow a Seven-Figure Consulting Business

by Alan Weiss

In the ten years since it was published, we've seen the following developments which dramatically impact consultants starting in the profession or veterans in the

- Remote means of delivering services, from workshops to facilitation, from strategy to M&A work.

- A waning of the power and repute of huge firms because of their cost and ponderous work methods, and a reception of less expensive, quicker small firms and solo practitioners. The mammals are scurrying amidst the dying dinosaurs.

- A globalization of economy (that will resume post-pandemic) making exported knowledge a key contributor to income (if it were considered formally as an export it would seriously shift the trade imbalance).

- The emergence of an African middle class, the decline of ancient dictators, and the growth of a huge potential marketplace in most countries on that continent.

- The growing abandonment of "career" and reliance on large companies and the inclination to forge one's own security and focus instead on a "calling."

- Advanced technology that effectually replaces meetings and keynote speeches delivered in person with Zoom and livestream broadcasting of high quality.

- Tele-health demonstrating that "tele-consulting" is feasible and acceptable. Even therapy is being done this way today.

- A strong move from project work to advisory work which is as strong a shift as 30 years ago when I pioneered a shift from hourly billing to value-based fees.

- A huge change in social mores that include social consciousness, racial justice, and embrace of varying life styles. These are especially important in future strategy.

Thus, the second edition will provide specific approaches and techniques to master these elements, including new and original intellectual property such

- How to use volatility and disruption as offensive weapons.

- How to market remotely.

- How to create global, not just domestic, brands.

- How to avoid hidden biases.

- How to create six-figure projects, six-figure retainers, and 7-figure incomes while reducing labor intensity.

- Why age, gender, background, and even length of education aren't important factors in forging relationships.

- The buyers of a new generation (based on my global consulting and coaching practice).

- How to create a strong brand drawing people to you, reducing marketing costs and allowing for higher fees.

- The latest implementation techniques, for example, "teambuilding" is an odd concept when most companies have committees.

The book will have an electronic appendix, permitting ongoing updates and allowing immediate adjustments to the times.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management, Entrepreneurship, Reference, Professional Development

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 23, 2011

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Alan Weiss is an American entrepreneur, author, and public speaker

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is good, but not everything you need to know. It really served as a springboard into other places for me. The book is well organized and well thought out. It doesn't waste time reiterating the same points over and over. I wish Mr. Weiss had expanding more on the marketing and early client development which I think is the most difficult part of building a consulting practice. At $10 is worth the price and really helps you figure out what bases you need to cover. If you are looking for the next steps afterwards, I would suggest looking at Disciplined Dreaming by Linkner for some innovation ideas and How to Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff for how to think you are received. Don't think of the book as the end, but the beginning of more learning.

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some sensible ideas.

TBC.

[May Ling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes: pg 87
2-3 service offerings if you're a newcomer. Grow this to 5-6 services:
1) A free or very inexpensive product offering
2) Logical sequential or evolutionary steps so that people can continue to work with you?
3) Differentiating products and services so that buyers realize that a great deal of value is available only from you.
4) As you build the relationship can you easily maintain the momentum?
5) As you develop products and services, do they fit in your evolving accelerant curve or are they solutions seeking problems?
6) Are you increasing your vault, which is the ultimate and most intimate client relationship.

Venn Diagram of Consulting:
1) Market Need - support
2) Competency - follow-through
3) Passion - marketing

Without all 3, brand means nothing.

Pg. 81 Client maturity/Your Diversity
1- Long term projects - Annuity
2- Integrated partnership - retainer
3 - Expert - On-site specialized (implement technology)
4 - Remote specialized (create Business plans)

P. 176 Job Components
Skills - Knowledge Experience
Behavior - personality
You need both. It's harder to re mediate behavior. (don't know if I agree with that).

[J F · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated in its approach to consulting but ironically that's why it's a useful reference today as it contains some superb 'old school' tips and reminders for younger readers or those of us who've forgotten!

I use it mostly as a look-up reference for approaching certainly aspects of fine detail.

[Billy B. Yip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many ideas presented throughout this piece. Something probably to be found and learned by all. Good storytelling and presentation to keep things interesting and moving along. Like many others recommending and suggested.

[Mohd Rahman]

Good work on learning nuances of business consulting.

[loafingcactus · Rating 4 out of 5]

If one is just getting started, Getting Started in Consulting is probably the book to read. This book doesn't have as much start up information as that book. The main places where it goes beyond that book is in a brief gloss on organizational issues and in slightly more information on proposals (the same author also has a book just on proposals).

[Dave Warawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are thinking of self-employment, buy any of the many books written by Alan Weiss on this subject. This one I can personally credit with much of my success. I walked away from employment and became my own business as a consultant. Before you take the plunge, do yourself a favor and read this book.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books on consulting, this is by far my favorite. Weiss is clear and articulate about what is necessary to establish client relationships and succeed in the long term. It is full of insights without being dry and boring.

I highly recommend for all business professionals. This is not just for consultants.

[Evi Degheldere · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for everyone who wants to offer advice or help a company grow. Often a struggle to get some of the chapters and most of it you have the feeling you heard or read somewhere but the title does not my. Guidelines to ensure that you always remember creating added value is what matters.

[Alex Lauerman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Guidance is very specific to the Author's consulting offering. Generic advice isn't given. If you aren't acting as an adviser to upper management, this book isn't for you.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tidbits of valuable tools and perspectives, but dated and lacking in details in many other respects.

[Joshua Giles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never read an author that sucked his own dick so well 😂 (am I allowed to say that in a book review?) but seriously though if you can get past his persistent compliments to himself and him selling his own consulting company then there are some GREAT suggestions for anyone trying to open their own consulting company. Also the author claims he has written more books on consulting then anyone else (something like 50+) but I've read 3 of them: million dollar consulting, consulting bible, and million dollar launch. And they're the EXACT. SAME. BOOK. Just rephrased. So I'm going to assume all his other books are the exact same thing.

(This will be my same review for the other 2 books I read since they were the exact same)

[Sjors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book; author has walked the talk and here takes tome to talk the walk. The advice the author gives is realistic and comprehensive. He also gives a lot of it, about pretty much all major aspects of the consulting process, without either repeating himself endlessly or descending into overcomplicated (and theoretical) lists of bullet points. I really did appreciate his bit on avoiding (unbilled) scope creep; after all, you don’t ask your plumber to increase his repair scope for free either. Author thumps his chest here and there, but that seems hard to avoid given the amount of $ he was apparently able to command for his work. Overall, an excellent all-round introduction to the profession, written by a well-experienced solo-practitioner.

[Cameron Copper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough good things about this book.

The tone is perfectly conversational for a topic that could have easily been presented as dry and clinical. Weiss's experience oozes out of the topics discussed.

I easily took 20+ notes of specific segments of this book that are meaningful to me and my business. At times I found myself nodding along from experiences illustrated perfectly in the book. In other areas, I raced to grab a notebook and jot down a revelation that was made clear.

Whether working as a consultant or thinking about building your own practice, there is plenty in this book to come away with. The Consulting Bible is actionable and digestible.

Alan Weiss made a fan out of me!

[Mike Ncube · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the best consulting book for anyone looking to create a consulting firm by building a strong team of consultants. It’s geared towards the solo consultant that’s looking to create a lifestyle business. Sure there are many useful insights especially about pricing of services and how to write great proposals, but not very much more than that.

[Cairo Cananea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livro interessante com diversas dicas para quem deseja iniciar na carreira de consultor.

Apesar de alguns conceitos não serem bem traduzidos para o português, o livro no geral é bem produtivo.

O autor aborda diversos temas relacionados à vida de um consultor, desde relacionamento com potenciais clientes até contratos de terceirização.

[Jonathan Godwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a colleague; I had questions about adding a consulting solution for my small business clients. I think this was a great first book; after listening to an interview that Mr. Weiss gave about consulting, I was hooked. A good read if you have questions about consulting solutions for your clients!

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished half of it and decided to stop. Insightful, but also felt repetitive and a little too in your face.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Value yourself and what you can offer, do what you love, help others, and make money doing it ... used as a textbook for a class, which instigated some interesting discussions.

[Gabriel Odhiambo Achayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Resource

I'm glad I read this book at this stage of growing my consultancy. I now know better. I recommend this book

[Will West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for someone new to consulting. No pages wasted. Would recommend to would be consultants.

[Alyssa Foll · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful book on the practice of consulting and running your own consulting practice.

[Isaac Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me awhile to finish cause I dreaded going back to it. This book always gave me a lot to think about and plenty of things to change with my business. Highly recommend!

[Emilia Forrest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alan Weiss makes some good points, but the book is so long.

[stefanddddddd · Rating 5 out of 5]

basic book on consulting - it addresses many of the aspects of this profession. good starting point for further reading.

[Andrew Larkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a reminder of concepts covered in Million Dollar Consulting. For that, it served its purpose. But if you haven't read the former, you should read that first, or instead.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been working in consulting for about 6 years now and had quite a few a-ha moments, so that made the book worth the purchase price. Also the writing is crisp and to the point.

[Jacob Cruzan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It got boring.

[Evan Guest · Rating 3 out of 5]

An essential book to start your own business. Many words of wisdom for aspiring consultants and solopreneurs. If you can get past Alan's tone you will learn a lot.