This workshop is in ROOM E322

Fast Company has reported that independent consulting is a growing and more attractive segment of the workplace. Whether you call it contract work, consulting in any of its current forms, freelancing, bench consultant, or any other name, it is attractive. Attractive it seems for almost as many reasons as there are new consultants making a contribution to the economy.

According to the Wall Street Journal this growing workforce breaks down as follows:

• 36 percent are gen-Xers
  
• 33 percent are baby boomers
  
• 20 percent are millenials
  
• 11 percent are matures
  
• Distributed equally male or female
  

For project managers, business analysts, facilitators, business process modelers, requirements analysts and business architects, this is an attractive and desired career path. Whether it is self-expression, flexible work patterns throughout the year, testing the waters for the next career, or finding a silver lining in that last layoff.

Organizations inadvertently place themselves at a disadvantage when the workforce downsize includes eliminating necessary subject matter experts with the necessary domain knowledge and experience.

IIBA Toronto has partnered with Stillmeadow Knowledge to present a three hour workshop that addresses the practice of consulting and the transition skills necessary to successfully move into the independent consultant role and its various flavors.

Stillmeadow Knowledge will address the process of transitioning into new roles and the challenges commonly associated with the process. Where do you start? How do you become a ‘professional gun’ for hire? What challenges are you likely to specifically face?

You will be able to make an assessment of your personal mettle in determining if this is a valid opportunity for you.

Course Content

Overview

What does self-employed mean?

Understanding Entrepreneurs in Canada

What are my options?

Self-Awareness

Risk

• Understanding the Risks
  
• What is your Risk Threshold?
  
• To straddle or not to straddle
  

Risk Assessment

• Qualities
  
• Characteristics natural vs. learned behaviour
  
• Credentials: Standing out in a crowd
  
• Are you an effective Communicator?
  

Business Structures

• Three Main Forms of Business Structure
  
• Business Plan, Marketing Plan Do I need one?
  

Key Partners

• You can’t do it all
  
• Building a support team
  

Finding Work

• Building a network
  
• Recruiters, Headhunters
  

Benefits

It can be overwhelming to transition from full time work to the self-employed state of consulting. The workshop will help focus your efforts and provide information that may assist you:

• Understanding whether you are ready to be self-employed
  
• Discover your risk tolerance
  
• Awareness of the main forms of business structures
  
• Importance in investing in a strong support network
  
• Value of building meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships
  

Audience

Business Analysts, Project Managers, Change Professionals and those individuals with

related disciplines that want to know more about becoming self-employed.

Duration