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Articles from Jim Cochran | Selfgrowth.com
- I Thought This Was Mine! – The Crazy World of Works for Hire Intellectual Property Rights - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2011 from Jim CochranJust because you write a piece of software, design a website, or develop a graphic doesn’t mean that you own it. Sure, your name might be on it as the author, creator, artist, etc. but if a company hired you to do that work, it belongs to them and not to you. According to U.S. copyright law, if ...
Views: 677 - It’s a Dog eat Dog World and Your Staffing Firm is Wearing Bacon Flavored Pants - by Submitted on Jan 11, 2011 from Jim CochranStaffing agencies have a unique set of risks, especially in the world of professional liability. Even with the most stringent of screening methods, it is still very possible that your IT staffing agency can place an incompetent worker in a very important slot and when that happens, lawsuits are ...
Views: 704 - Managing Marketing Clients’ Expectations: It’s About Trust - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2010 from Jim CochranWorking as a marketing consultant is as much about finessing the client relationship as it is about developing effective marketing campaigns. Your business’s survival depends on customer satisfaction, so earning and keeping your client’s trust is a big part of your job. How do you do it? It’s ...
Views: 665 - Management Consulting Project Review: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - by Submitted on Feb 09, 2010 from Jim CochranAs is true with any profession, management consultants get better at their jobs with time and experience. That’s particularly true for consultants who make a point of conducting project assessments, gathering their clients’ feedback at the end of a project, and then using that feedback to ensure ...
Views: 937 - Ongoing Quality Testing Cuts IT Project Management Risks - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2010 from Jim CochranBecause risk management and IT project management go hand-in-hand, experienced IT project managers never start a project without a risk-management strategy in mind. Often, at the heart of that strategy is a strong focus on quality control. Before the ink on your IT consulting agreement is ...
Views: 667 - Ongoing Quality Testing Cuts IT Project Management Risks - by Submitted on Jan 16, 2010 from Jim CochranBecause risk management and IT project management go hand-in-hand, experienced IT project managers never start a project without a risk-management strategy in mind. Often, at the heart of that strategy is a strong focus on quality control. Before the ink on your IT consulting agreement is ...
Views: 698 - With Systems Integration or Programming Projects, an Informed Client Is a Happy Client - by Submitted on Jan 09, 2010 from Jim CochranWhen it’s your job as the systems integrator or custom programmer to make sure that a project stays on track, your reputation – and future business prospects – are on the line. No client wants to hire a consultant, only to be surprised to learn months later that the project is over budget, beset ...
Views: 749 - Use Project Management Tools to Stay Ahead of Marketing Project Scope Creep - by Submitted on Dec 21, 2009 from Jim CochranWhen marketing consultants are hired for a project, it’s common for both the consultant and client to come up with new ideas along the way. But beware of “scope creep”: those little changes to the scope of a project that ultimately add up to a big change of direction – and a big impact on the ...
Views: 890(1 vote) - Management Consultants: Take Control of Scope Creep - by Submitted on Dec 21, 2009 from Jim CochranOften management consultants are hired to accomplish a specific goal, but before the engagement is complete, the project’s scope has expanded to include more than you or the client bargained for. Because scope creep often happens quietly, it’s easy for a management consultant to spend time ...
Views: 922(3 votes) - Clear Documentation Equals Better Results from Your IT Project Subcontractors - by Submitted on Dec 15, 2009 from Jim CochranMany IT project managers find that using subcontractors is an excellent alternative to hiring full-time staffers. IT project managers may choose to hire independent contractors to assist with one project, or bring them on-board on a long-term basis. Either way, using subcontractors gives clients ...
Views: 820(1 vote) - Two Key Words When Providing Ongoing Software Support: Be Specific - by Submitted on Dec 14, 2009 from Jim CochranOnce you've developed and installed software for a client, your work may not be done. In many cases, software developers provide ongoing software maintenance and support for their clients. Offering this service is an excellent way to build a longstanding relationship with your client while ...
Views: 829(4 votes) - Employment Contract Can Be a Valuable Part of Your Hiring Process - by Submitted on Nov 18, 2009 from Jim CochranFor many small businesses, success goes hand-in-hand with the need for more employees. While growth is something to celebrate, adding people to your team also adds a new level of risk to your operation. Most small businesses don’t have a legal or human resources department to protect the ...
Views: 929(1 vote) - Reduce the Risk of Working with Subcontracted Marketing Consultants - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2009 from Jim CochranFor some projects, a marketing consultant may need outside expertise or just an extra hand to get the job done. For engagements like these, hiring a subcontracted marketing consultant to assist with the project can help you meet your deadlines without having to bring a full-time employee on ...
Views: 658(1 vote) - Project Timelines for Marketing Engagements: Keep It Realistic - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2009 from Jim CochranAs a marketing consultant, you know that timing is everything. To keep your consulting engagements on track, you need a good project management strategy centered around a solid project timeline. But as many marketing consultants know from experience, developing and adhering to a timeline can be ...
Views: 954 - Placing Temporary Personnel with a Client? You Need a Staffing Contract - by Submitted on Oct 09, 2009 from Jim CochranPlacing personnel at a client company to perform IT services can be a great solution for everyone involved. Your people get work, you get income, and your client gets the service it needs without the expense of hiring a full-time employee. But before your contractors report for their first day ...
Views: 1093(1 vote) - Creating an IT Project Timeline You Can Stick To - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2009 from Jim CochranDeveloping a project timeline is a cornerstone of any project management strategy. But as many IT project managers have learned, developing and adhering to a timeline isn’t easy. From technical glitches to human resource problems, unexpected complications can pop up at any time, quickly throwing ...
Views: 1143 - Got Subcontractors? Protect Your Interests with a Subcontractor Agreement! - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2009 from Jim CochranIt’s hard to find a talented independent contractor you can trust to represent your company when working with a client. Once you do find a good one, however, it's a person that you want to keep on your team for future projects. The downside is, your favorite independent contractor is more than ...
Views: 1358 - Mastering the Management Consulting Project Timeline - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2009 from Jim CochranA project timeline is a central component in any good project management strategy. But as many management consultants have learned the hard way, creating and sticking to a timeline is not as easy as it sounds. Depending on the type of consulting engagement, many project elements – from people to ...
Views: 1030 - Creating Project Agreements for Your Custom Programming Jobs - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2009 from Jim CochranBefore engaging in a formal business relationship, system integrators and custom computer/software programmers need to protect their business interests with appropriate legal contracts. During the initial stages of project development, IT professionals often keep informal records by hanging ...
Views: 958(1 vote) - Creating a Website Development Agreement - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2009 from Jim CochranDeveloping even a simple web site can quickly become a complex job, so clarifying expectations at the beginning of the project is always a good idea. That’s why an experienced web developer's first move is to get the client’s signature on a comprehensive website development contract before ...
Views: 739(1 vote) - Why Architects Have Specific Insurance Requirements - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2009 from Jim CochranIf you’re working in the architecture field, you’ve probably run into situations in which a client requires you to carry liability insurance. Maybe you run a small architecture firm with a few employees, or perhaps you’re a solo architect, draftsman or designer. Either way, you might find ...
Views: 3614(1 vote) - Tips on Creating Successful Marketing Projects for Your Clients - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2009 from Jim CochranMore than ever before, companies are hiring marketing consulting businesses with one important criterion in mind: “How can this marketing consultant help me get the most out of my marketing dollars?” With increasing pressure to maximize the return on their clients’ marketing investment, ...
Views: 983(1 vote)