Five Easy and Essential Tips on How to be a Consultant

When I started my consulting career, it was not really something that I had planned. I always thought I would be in business for myself, but consulting really wasn't on my radar – it just kind of happened. I had always been driven by generating effective organizational change, though, which is one of the main reasons why I started Solutions21 back in 1994. If you are interested in a career change of your own, but you aren't sure how to be a consultant, you should know that it's actually much easier today than it was back when I got started.

What Led Me to Consulting:

I had experienced some success in my previous career by developing an employee empowerment plan that grew pre tax profits by 150%. Perhaps more importantly, this plan enhanced teamwork and the general level of excitement in the office considerably. After that, I was inspired to start my consulting business on the day after my 35^th birthday. This may surprise you, but I never had to take any special training courses or attain any particular prerequisites to start consulting. I simply leveraged my experience and skills into a career that I knew I could thrive within. It took hard work, but all of my efforts paid off, and we're approaching 20 successful years in the business with clients who have stuck with us from day one.

If you want to know how to be a consultant, the first thing you should realize is that getting started is probably easier than you think. This is especially true when you consider the benefits of modern technology and our connected planet. To help you understand what it takes to be a consultant in today's world, I've come up with five tips that will shed some light on the process of joining this exciting and rewarding field.

Five Essential Tips:

1. Don't waste your money on expensive certifications.

   When businesses and other organizations look for consultants, they're typically not interested in the number of degrees and certifications that you have hanging on your wall. What they really care about is your ability to drive results. Certainly, there are courses and training environments that can benefit you, but they are external to what really matters if you want to be a consultant. The only prerequisite that you need to start consulting is experience. If you have experience and you possess the ability to drive results, you can have a bright future in consulting.
    

2. Use modern technology to your advantage.

   It's amazing to think about the many changes in technology over the last couple of decades. It's also amazing to consider the fact that these technological marvels are so inexpensive and widely available. It seems like almost everyone has a smartphone, these days, which means that it's easier than ever to make connections, keep them and nurture them. In fact, if you are wondering how to be a consultant with the minimum of technological resources, all you really need is a smartphone and some good apps. If you have a history of technophobia, there is really no better time than right now to start learning how to use these amazing modern devices to your advantage, especially if you see yourself as a successful consultant.
    

3. Work on improving your EQ.

   Your IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is just one measure of your intellectual ability. There are many ways to measure intelligence, and there are actually several different kinds of intelligence, as well. If you want to truly succeed as a consultant, I believe that Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, is even more important than IQ. Your EQ allows you to understand your mood in a sophisticated fashion. By developing your emotional intelligence, you can improve the way you connect with others, plus you make it easier to understand and adapt to the people with whom you come into contact. The best part about EQ is the fact that – unlike IQ – you can actually develop and improve it with time and practice.
    

4. Learn how to use your Reticular Activating System.

   If you're in an airport waiting for your flight, you're surrounded by all sorts of sights and sounds – most of which you simply tune out. However, the moment your flight number is called, your ears perk up and you absorb everything you hear. This is because you've primed your brain to be open to that specific piece of information. This process involves what's known as your Reticular Activating System, and it can be used to help you generate success as a consultant, as well. By envisioning success in consulting and imagining how it will feel to do meaningful consulting work, you will make yourself more open to important opportunities as they present themselves to you. Using this part of the brain helps you clear the pathways you need to follow to find the success you desire.
    

5. Be ready to do important, meaningful work.

   If you're wondering how to be a consultant, you need to be ready to perform work that has a positive impact. Although this might sound easy, it's often easier remaining in a “safe” corporate environment where not much is expected of you. Consulting has allowed me to make a difference in the world at large, but it's also given me the chance to leave a positive mark on my own community. Through my work as a consultant, jobs have been created, factories have been brought back to life after years of being shuttered and people have been able to contribute more to their communities. It's great work, but it's also a great responsibility. That's why you have to be sure you're ready for this career before you take your first step.

If you're interested in hearing more advice from Buddy Hobart, you can learn more by downloading your free copy of his book, “Experience Matters,” which contains a great deal of valuable information about consulting, leveraging your experience and much more.