Feature About Me on Rosetta Thurman’s Blog

Me: Shameless Self-Promotion

Rockstar nonprofit and social change blogger/consultant/speaker/writer Rosetta Thurman featured me on her blog today.  Rosetta has been doing a series on how young nonprofit professionals can get started in consulting, so I wrote up a short piece about how I got started in consulting two years ago.  Thank you, Rosetta, for featuring me – much appreciated!

Here’s a sample of what I had to say…  

• A strong network is essential.  My largest and most interesting projects are the result of carefully, authentically nurtured relationships.
• Make a commitment to staying on the leading edge, as this will set you apart from your competition.  It takes time to stay in tune with the thought leaders of our field, but I think it is essential.
• I started doing paid consulting at 27.  I have only had two instances where people commented about my age in a negative way.  If you come to a project with the right set of skills, expertise, flexibility, and willingness to learn, I think young professionals can be highly effective consultants and often bring an important level of freshness to their projects.
• Consulting is far more difficult than most people expect, especially in terms of the psychological aspects of the work.  Take the time to learn how to move a group through conflict, facilitate difficult conversations, and deliver negative information in a humane manner.
• Under-promise and over-deliver.  This is the best way to build business and gain repeat customers.  This is my mantra for 2010.
• Build a network of peer consultants who you can turn to for advice, work with on large projects, and use as a trusted referral network.
• Commit yourself to doing what is right for the client, not what will get you the next contract.  You certainly do not want to develop that reputation.

Want to read the whole thing, check it out here.