90 Days to Success in Consulting Paperback – September 16, 2009

Consulting is a lot of work - especially if you go it alone. Good advice is hard to find and most of the time you have to filter through an ego to get to actionable and useful consulting ideas. McKnight presents four consulting profiles, but makes no bones about his recommended path to success: the one with which he is most familiar. He's been there and done that, so he knows what he's writing about.McKnight's writing style is easy on the brain. The prose is pragmatic; waxing eloquent when he wishes to make a point.When I told my friend Donald Farmer - author of  The Rational Guide to Extending SSIS 2005 with Script (Rational Guides)  - that I was leaving my full-time job to begin consulting, he sent me a copy of this book as a gift. Since receiving it, reading it, and practicing the advice contained therein; I know why. I've recommended the book to many consultants and those who seek to be consultants someday.  90 Days to Success in Consulting  should be required reading for all consultants or those desiring to enter the field.:{>

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a real-world view into the world of consulting. The writing style was engaging and very inviting. As I read the book, it was as if I was pulling up a chair at my favorite Starbucks to learn from a distinguished leader and practitioner. I have never been an independent consultant, but did work for several years for two different consultancies. Much of what William wrote about applied to both camps - independents and consultant employees.William did a great job of including examples of typical consulting scenarios, and then he walked you through the options - instead of providing a cookie-cutter response. He didn't approach it from: if A, then B. It was more about: if A, then you may do B (because of ...) or you may do C (because of ...). What was also beneficial was the Action Plan checklist at the end of each chapter. It summarized the key tasks discussed in the chapter, and at a glance, you can assess where you're at and what still needs to be done.

One of those "Reference" kind of books that you read, gain information and ideas from. You then put on a shelf close by and refer back to! I wish there was another chapter with more detail to billing and software for tracking billable time and expenses. For example the TimeSlips software I use.

This book is full of detailed steps about how to do things to be a success. Not only does he cover the "why," he also covers the "how." The book was written in 2009 and the information is current and helpful. Good job!

Best for someone who wants to start a large consulting firm, not be an independent consultant. It's one man's very strong opinion only, but could be useful if you want to do exactly what he did.

in gleaning information into a new possible life, this book was full of the information I needed, it was completely awesome.

I'm sure there is a lot of good information in this book ... I just haven't been able to find it yet. Its a little boring.

Really down to earth, conversational while still packed with information. An business author not afraid to discuss the return on investment on the same page as the ethical and work/life balance discussion. His approach to teaching is without bragging or being too apprehensive. I'd recommend this to anyone going into consulting or wanting a good read on the foundation/fundamentals.