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Posted By Paul Ashley
Like several colleagues on this site, I have been made redundant. I didn't qualify for any redundancy pay, and have not had any success in securing another role.
I'm wondering if self employed consultancy is worth pursuing.
Any advice regarding setting up, contracts, marketing and insurance would be greatly appreciated.
I have been to a preliminary meeting with my local Business Advisory Service, and I have 2 or 3 potential clients as a starting point.
Not yet Chartered, but have Dip 2 and 5 years post qualification experience in management and (briefly) as a consultant.
Many thanks in anticipation
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Posted By Ian G Hutchings
Paul
The Businesslink website has plenty of information on and some of the banks have good sections with guides on their websites. It can be a worthwhile option as long as you have money to keep you going until you can generate enough business.
All the best
Ian
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Posted By Paul Ashley
Thanks Ian
I have enough capital to keep going for 6 months, maybe a year but I have to admit that I'm not a born salesman, and I don't want to use up our finances when I could get an interim job bus driving
Have considered the franchising option, but have had previous bad experience in franchising prior to my H&S career
I appreciate your comments
Regards
Paul
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Posted By Ian G Hutchings
Hi Paul
As other people have said it is difficult to go straight from a job role in a company to being a consultant. I moved into consultancy before finally setting up my own business which is not without its sleepless nights and stress.
You may wish to do some market research first. If you do decide to do it I believe that you have to throw yourself into it 100%. You can also approach existing consultancies to see if they can offer some associate work, this can then supplement your income whilst building up clients.
Sales skills are a must, so if you feel this is an area for development there are some sales training courses you can undertake and plenty of books on the subject.
Best wishes
Ian
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Posted By PL
Hi Paul,
Have you considered taking on short term Contract roles? This will increase your exposure to potential clients, allowing you at the same time to both service your 3 potential customers and gain valuable experience in different sectors?
pl
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Posted By Paul Ashley
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions
I would welcome some contract work, but even this seems difficult to find.
If there are any consultancies out there that would consider subcontracting so to speak, I should be more than happy to hear from you.
I can provide references and CV, and would be prepared to travel.
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Posted By Lee Mac
Hi Paul
I was hit with drastically reduced hours less than 16 hrs per week at the start of the year. So with a wife & a young family and a house to maintain I had no option but to get the bucks in (and unlike you I did not have the capital to survive for 6 months (by the way well done you)).
So I bit the bullet (circumstances dictated) and went self employed- got in contact with a few local contractors and subcontracted work from a local HSE consultancy and the latter recently have invited me to become a business partner.
My employer has since asked me to come back f/t, I explained that I preferred to remain p/t and I thought I could handle the current workload, which so far has been proven.
So in my experience this step has definitely proved worthwhile.
Paul, you in a very envious position mate, with having enough capital to survive for 6 months to a year given these challenging times.
My advice would be hit other well established consultants for work and dependent on your field of expertise, hit the associated businesses is another option- both of which proved fruitful in my situation.
Good Luck Mate,
Lee
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Posted By Paul Ashley
Thanks so much for that Lee
It was a real confidence boost
P.S. Got any work going?
Regards
Paul
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Posted By Lee Mac
Paul
Hit me via email.
Lee
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Posted By Jodie Read
Paul,
I think you would find it helpful to specify where you are based. That would help any prospective employers know if they have anything that may be of realistic interest to you.
Regards,
Jodie
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Posted By Paul Ashley
Fair comment
I live near Sheffield, but I'm used to travelling
Regards
Paul
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Posted By GeoffB4
Paul, nobody has mentioned advertising and you may already be on the ball, but have you got a website up and running and linked to yell.com. It costs, there is no guarantee, but you have to take the chance.
Yellow Pages hasn't worked at all in the past for us (very poor quality enquiries), but in the last year the yell.com/website combination has been beneficial.
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