Starting My Own Six Sigma Consulting Company – How Do I Find Clients?
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- This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 8 months ago by
Kay KL.
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August 30, 2019 at 5:10 pm #241707
Hi All,
I hope you can help me. I am currently a black belt working 9-5 for a company, however i have a strong desire to start my own consulting company. for anyone that has been on this journey, can you please advise me on how you found clients please? Any advise will be most greatly appreciated. Thanks
Kay
0August 31, 2019 at 10:15 am #241731
JessicaParticipant@jessrealInclude @jessreal in your post and this person will
be notified via email.Hi Kay,
Your personal network is your most important asset.
People you have worked with or for will know your work ethic, your knowledge, and your ability to get things done. When they move onto other roles at different companies, inevitably they will need extra help to do something. Maybe improve the shop floor, maybe decrease costs in a certain area, even just help with a kaizen. That is your opportunity.
So if I were you I’d start on Linkedin by connecting to everyone you’ve ever worked with in the past. Once you’re connected, you can message them through LI and get their email address (if you don’t have it).
Then I’d reach out to them and let them know that you’re starting a consulting company and are willing to work uber hard and a very inexpensive rate because you’re just starting out, want to build a base of clients, and will wow them for a testimonial you can use on your website. Make it so easy for them to say “yes” to hiring you…too good of an opportunity to pass up.
I’d also improve your grammar and punctuation in written correspondence. It projects an air that maybe you’re not as professional as I think you are. Or maybe you’re from a non-English speaking part of the world and I’m out of line in saying this. I don’t mean to offend. Just pointing it out to be helpful.
Since you’re working 9 to 5 already, you’ll have to figure out how you can work nights and weekends on building your own book of business. That could be analysis time after hours, or walking the floors on the weekends. You’ll figure it out. Either way, it’s extra hours.
Good luck. I hope my suggestions are helpful to you in your path to building your own company!
Jessica
2September 2, 2019 at 6:18 am #241830Hi @jessreal,
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate the advise you’ve shared, and no offense taken. I would be intrigued to understand what made you think that, and perhaps why you didn’t think any errors you observed was due to ‘typos, brevity, or another circumstance ‘…rather than lack of professionalism and being from a non English speaking country. The irony is I speak the Queens English and from England. ?
0September 2, 2019 at 9:07 am #241832
Andrew ParrParticipant@Andy-ParrInclude @Andy-Parr in your post and this person will
be notified via email.The Queen is German though………………
3September 2, 2019 at 9:20 am #241833
Andrew ParrParticipant@Andy-ParrInclude @Andy-Parr in your post and this person will
be notified via email.Sorry, had to get that out there.
@KayKL, I wish you every success in your venture.You will need a portfolio of work you have already completed, some testimonials and a large network of supporters to use and try to open some doors. That generally is how consulting works although, you may want to look at how to do your own PR to get your message across, unless you have that in hand already.
It is a big step going out as a Consultant and I hope you succeed. Hopefully, doors will open and you can step right through them.
1September 2, 2019 at 12:00 pm #241835Hi @Andy-parr,
Haha!!! Yes she is indeed! Thanks for the advise and well wishes – much appreciated
0September 2, 2019 at 9:10 pm #241845
StrayerParticipant@StraydogInclude @Straydog in your post and this person will
be notified via email.@KayKL When I did it I expected to rely on my reputation and contacts as a starting point. But I had non-compete and non-disclosure agreements as you probably do. So I had to build a new network. I found a great small business lawyer who for a surprisingly small retainer fee helped me to create a business entity, comply with regulations, tax, and such. This lawyer organized his clients as a networking community – monthly client meetings where we met, learned from, and helped each other. That, along with getting more involved with professional organizations and local business networking communities, establishing a website, making myself known in on-line social networks such as LinkedIn…
Bottom line is that you’ll have to work hard to market what you have to offer and find clients. You’re going to become a self-promoting salesperson. You can expect to spend money rather than earning it for quite some time. If you aren’t prepared to do all of these things, don’t do it.
0September 2, 2019 at 9:48 pm #241847 -
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