IMC news: Setting up on your own

IMC news: Setting up on your own

Sam Evans, IMC marketing executive, looks at the benefits ofnetworking and skills development for independent consultants.

At the end of last month the Institute of Directors held a one-day conference for managers intending to become independent consultants.

It rightly identified the difficulty in balancing the perceived freedom of the self-employed with the need for rigorous self and business discipline.

It asked all would-be independent consultants to think hard about their motives.

Many practising consultants have taken this path and are familiar with the pitfalls of going it alone. One of the biggest changes is the loss of your usual support systems. Ian Ryder, director of communications and public affairs at Hewlett-Packard and a former independent consultant explains:

“There are three mechanisms which you take for granted in a corporate structure: the corporate services, your identity, and the teamworking.

Working on your own can lead to a feeling of loneliness and marginalisation.

There are positive elements-being your own boss, being listened to and taken seriously and having control over your work.”

Even the most resourceful human being, Ryder believes, will find it tough on their own. His solution is to network. “You need to keep up to speed with the latest management issues and you need contacts.” This is where your professional institute can help. The IMC, for example, provides an active regional and special interest group framework within which to network.

For Tony Page CMC, ex-PA Consulting and independent for the last eight years, success depends on managing your business, managing yourself and managing your time. “In addition, you must be the sort of person who enjoys uncertainty but is still able to offer clarity of thought and service to your client.” He advocates the diary method of continuous learning described in his book, The Diary of a Change Agent. Page also believes in investing in membership of professional bodies for their publications, events and networking.

Barry Curnow, president of the IMC and author of The Chance to Live More Than Once, strongly advises any independent consultant to engage in a programme of professional development. All full members of the IMC (CMCs) are required to complete 35 hours of Continuing Professional Development each year. This gives independent consultants the impetus to plan and complete a measured skills development programme.

Another concern for the independent practitioner is finding work. This is easier if you think carefully about what you can, and want, to offer and to whom you want to offer it, says Curnow. Then think about marketing.

The IMC provides two main services which can help promote your service; one being the qualification (CMC), the other being the Registered Practice scheme. A further opportunity is to join a high-quality, commercial networking group such as the Richmond Group. “This is a small, self-help group for, mainly, independent consultants all of whom must be full IMC members,” explains the most recent chairman, Raymond Ruddock-West, CMC. The group gives full IMC members access to a unique market-place in which they can work together to successfully bid for contracts.

Another, less obvious benefit of joining a professional institute, is the access to public relations opportunities. The IMC operates a PR panel which provides IMC members with the chance to comment to journalists, to speak on behalf of the IMC at conferences and to write for publication.

In fact, the IMC is still on the look out for key contacts so, if interested, come forward.

For further information about any of the above please contact Sam Evans at the IMC. The IMC can provide careers packs, set-up packs and information about membership. For information about the IOD conference please contact Emma Wall on 0171 730 0022.

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