Consultant's Guide - Experiences from the field

I was asked about leaving corp america and starting a consulting
career. This is an oft-asked question on SAS-L and I thought I could
create a priority list that others can add to as needed.

Alan's List:

Conference calls and meetings go to 0. It sounds nice but it can be
LONELY at times

Work productivity goes through the roof

When the going is good, the going is very good. When the going goes
bad, it can go really bad. Be prepared for long cycles (3-6 months)
without a paycheck. All of that money you make when it's good? Save
some for droughts.

You're NOT an employee when you have a contract. People, even ones
you worked with before, treat you as an outsider. No happy hour, no
birthday parties, no water cooler banter. Go in, work, get paid.

Don't do businesses with small firms without a retainer fee

Learn about small business and set yourself up as a corporation.
Don't even consider working as a sole proprietor

Always charge late fees on payment and build it into the contract.

Expect to get your teeth knocked in a few times. Learn, learn, adapt.

Work through consulting houses or direct with large corporations. The
legal hassles aren't worth the small company to small company
contracts.

Consulting houses charge stiff fees. Don't be alarmed. Just set your
rate and hope they don't take too much of your hide.

Consider starting lower than you like to establish a pipeline of work
then raise fees later.

It is all worth it IMO. Simple vacation policy (there isn't
any...vacation that is ;-]), no boss, buy your own equipment without a
certain brand, you don't have to work any specific hours, the office
can be anywhere (sometimes), etc.

Source: http://groups.google.com/group/sasconsulting/browse_thread/thread/d...