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Consulting
Skills Classes
for technology
consultants
Over a
web-conference connection
Four 1-hour sessions
November 2007
* * * 9
spots available * * *
Technical project teams struggling with
client and project issues: Is your client driving you crazy? Scope
creeping up on you? Having trouble managing expectations? Can't seem to
get system requirements? Uncontrolled delays? They won't listen to you?
Due to popular demand, we have set up this series of web conference based
classes for those
who could not make up a large enough group to bring our Art and Science of
Consulting classes on-site.
What you will get:
-- Cheat sheets that you can use to print prior to the
classes, follow them during class, make notes, and keep for later use.
-- Participation in a lively, interactive series of classes
-- Upon completion of the series, a certificate of completion to
impress your boss <grin> or to justify the expense to your spouse or just to hang on
your wall. (Please note that this is not a continuing education credit document.
And we do mean "completion" document, i.e. that you have attended the
series! Can't complete it if you don't attend!)
-- A free copy of our "73 Client Service Tips
for I.T. professionals booklet" will be mailed to you.
-- Free consultation with David
for a full month from the end of the series.
Who
When Where
Cost Topics
Signup
Who is this for:
Consultants,
engineers, software analysts, developers, project managers, implementers
... anyone in a technical client service position. We do not plan to cover
subjects such as starting up a consulting practice or marketing your
services.
Your facilitator: David Alev (I.T. consultant / engineer /
proj ect manager /
trainer)
When: Four sessions of 60 minutes each:
Dates and times to be decided.
Where: Anywhere you have a decent internet and phone
connection. Windows based PC required.
These sessions will be held in a web-class format. The presentation will be over a web-conferencing
platform ("GoToMeeting" or Vyew). Participants connect over a teleconference bridge and
a web conferencing tool;
everyone can hear everyone else and see the same presentation
concurrently. David will be leading the sessions. There will be short
(15 min) "homework" type exercises between sessions.
You may call from outside the U.S. We discourage the use of
cellphones, speakerphones and VoIP
calls such as Skype.
* * * 9
spots available * * *
Topics:
Session 1:
- how to
make sure you understand your client's needs,
- avoid getting caught in the
"they didn't say they needed that" situation,
-
requirements gathering
tips,
-
which questions to ask and how during interviews,
-
how to truly listen to
your client,
-
getting your clients to make decisions and stick to those decisions.
Session 2:
- the three cornerstones of project work,
- setting and managing your
scope of work,
- recognizing and dealing with scope changes,
- recommended actions
when faced with scope change attempts,
- how to recognize scope change attempts
before they occur,
-
practical methods to ensure your work is approved.
Session 3:
- the softer side of client service (or
should we say the "harder side"?),
- setting the right expectations and
dealing with expectations set by others,
- the set-monitor-reset methodology for
managing expectations,
- influencing skills,
- the value of trust and how to earn
trust.
Session 4: No set topics. Free flowing discussion of topics of your choice ... questions
about current projects, assignments, etc.
Cost:
US $59
per participant. Joint / combined attendance is strongly discouraged.
(i.e. speakerphones). Pay through Paypal.
(no Paypal membership needed)
Connection costs are borne by participants: The audio connection may cost
you whatever your
telephone company charges you for the long distance (either a
Nevada, Iowa or California number) call for each session.
* * * 9
spots available * * *
To sign up:
First, click on the PayPal icon below and complete the transaction.
(no Paypal membership needed) We will not see any of
your confidential data except your name and email address. Then email
us to confirm.
(You can remove yourself from the class
and get a refund (minus $5 processing fee) -- if you do so prior to
two days before the class. After that, we assume you are committed
and if you want to withdraw, all we can do is offer you a spot at a future event
of the same nature.)
Then send email to classes
XXX consultingacademy D-O-T com with "Signup for November series" in the subject line. Any other subject text runs the risk of
being deleted as spam. (Remember to replace the XXX with @ and the word
D-O-T with a dot. That's for spam-protection)
Please include your name and coordinates
and the kind of work you do in
the body of the message. Also include a copy of your Paypal receipt (after deleting any
confidential data.)
You will receive e-mail reply with
instructions on how to prepare for the classes, and on how to join the
sessions.
Hope to "see" you then.
A
recording will be made and posted on a private section of our web site for those
(members) who have missed a session to catch up. (Note) We also
may select the best, most interesting sessions and make it available in the
future to the
public at a nominal charge. Hence the confidentiality protection
for you.
Note about the recording: We
will keep full confidentiality of your name, your employer, your clients
etc. If you wish, pick a nickname by which we address you.
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From previous class participants
in the series:
"These
sessions provide a high level look at the qualities,concerns, and pitfalls of consulting on technical
projects. Learn the basics before you venture into the scary
world of scope creep.Receive numerous pointers that can be applied to
various consulting engagements, as well as reference contacts
for further investigation. Take advantage of hearing others'
experiences in a non-threatening on-line venue." May
'05
"Pick up
some great "do it right now" ideas. This
will help you take the time to think about how you are handling
your client rela-
tionships and where you might be falling down on the job." Jan. 05
"Avoid being burned or damaging valuable client relationships
with the benefit of an experienced independent consultants'
years of wisdom and practical advice." Jan. 05
"Great
opportunity to ask questions rather than learning in the school
of hard knocks."
Jan. 05
"A
consultant for consultants". Excellent tips on issues we
face all
the time as consultants. Things we think about, but never
verbalize and
think through to a solution, and some things we never think of.
David is an excellent discussion leader. Oct 04 "A
great way of networking, learning from other people's
experiences in different areas of the business." Oct 04
"Attend
this fast paced interactive telephone class with renowned
consultant and trainer David Alev. No
matter what your experience, you are sure to pick up some
pointers from David and the other participants. Oct 04
"A very
credible insight into the fundamentals of consulting, with
excellent examples in the importance of mastering the
basics." Aug 04
"This
is a soft skills class that everyone should take. We get so
wrapped up in all the technical (stuff) that we forget the common sense
way in which to deal with people. This series gives you tips on
how to communicate effectively with your client as well as
insight into the client's perspective." Aug 04
"If you
want higher client satisfaction, more successful business
relations and a new paradigm regarding scope and expectations -
take the time to explore this course." June 04
"We
covered: 1) Consultant Gotchas - Problems a consultant may
encounter on a project. 2) Hurdles a Consultant Encounters -
Advice and/or Tips to deal with issues a consultant may
encounter on a project." May 04
"Good
overview. Instructor is flexible and tries to address issues
sensibly, practically and succinctly." May 04
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