As many of you know, I have a small consulting firm that I work with. I
took it from a small S/36 contract programming enterprise to a small
consulting and systems integrator for AS/400 sites with networks. This has
worked very well for the past several years. We went from starving to
too-busy-to-take-time-for-the-holidays. Indeed, sometimes Jerry and I do
sound like Morley and Scrooge - bah, humbug!
Well, the prosperity has given me freedom to start to work on some of my
own projects. I have two new services that I was trying to wrap into our
core enterprise: an information service and a training program. After
meeting with Jerry this weekend, we decided that neither of these
enterprises were fully compatible with our core activities. So, with the
blessings of Medco Systems, I am spinning these off as separate businesses
on their own.
I've not yet had time to name either business. I can explain the services,
though.
The information business is something I have been doing for a number of
years. I provide companies and individuals with information on how to
improve their jobs, careers, and bottom line to their business. In return,
they have come back to me for consulting. In addition, I form alliances
with other consulting organizations to funnel their expertise into these
organizations. The third thing I do is keep track of these organizations
and individuals to see when they are ready to pop. When they do, I am
there with other alliances with big ticket providers to meet the need to
celebrate success. For long-term players, it is a very fun business.
Fortunately, I can wait for the situations to mature.
The training business stems from many requests for information about how
to become a consultant. In this, I focus on how to manage the business of
consulting, rather than how to pretend you are an expert in something.
This is also a very fun business, which occasionally ties in with the
other.
What I like about this is that I have been conducting these activities for
a number of years. I am familiar with the business needs of both of these
activities. And I am comfortable enough to not worry about the income
level of either. As a result, I can be quite flexible in working deals.
So expect to see my .sig change in a short while, as soon as someone
suggests some good names for these enterprises. Oh, and did I mention that
most of the work will be done on the 'net?
-- ########################################## # Hank Heath Vice President # Medco Systems, Inc. Consultants for small business # 3 Eves Dr., Suite 304, Marlton, NJ 08053 # HankHeath@aol.com # ph: 609-596-1028 fax: 609-596-8650 ##########################################