Consulting Skills Web Classes

Consulting Skills Classes
for technology consultants
Over a web-conference connection
Four 1-hour sessions

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Technical project teams struggling with client and project issues: Is your client driving you crazy? Scope creeping up on you? Having trouble managing expectations? Can't seem to get system requirements? Uncontrolled delays? They won't listen to you?

Due to popular demand, we have set up this series of web conference based classes for those who could not make up a large enough group to bring our Art and Science of Consulting classes on-site.

What you will get:

-- Cheat sheets that you can use to print prior to the classes, follow them during class, make notes, and keep for later use.

-- Participation in a lively, interactive series of classes

-- Upon completion of the series, a certificate of completion to impress your boss <grin> or to justify the expense to your spouse or just to hang on your wall. (Please note that this is not a continuing education credit document. And we do mean "completion" document, i.e. that you have attended the series! Can't complete it if you don't attend!)

-- Free consultation with David for a full month from the end of the series.

Who When Where Cost Topics Signup

Who is this for: Consultants, engineers, software analysts, developers, project managers, implementers ... anyone in a technical client service position. We do not plan to cover subjects such as starting up a consulting practice or marketing your services.

Your facilitator: David Alev (I.T. consultant / engineer / project manager / trainer)

When: Four sessions of 60 minutes each:

Dates and times to be decided.

Where: Anywhere you have a decent internet and phone connection. Windows based PC required.

These sessions will be held in a web-class format. The presentation will be over a web-conferencing platform ("GoToMeeting" or Vyew). Participants connect over a teleconference bridge and a web conferencing tool; everyone can hear everyone else and see the same presentation concurrently. David will be leading the sessions. There will be short (15 min) "homework" type exercises between sessions.

You may call from outside the U.S. We discourage the use of cellphones, speakerphones and VoIP calls such as Skype.

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Topics:

Session 1:

how to make sure you understand your client's needs,
avoid getting caught in the "they didn't say they needed that" situation,
requirements gathering tips,
which questions to ask and how during interviews,
how to truly listen to your client,
getting your clients to make decisions and stick to those decisions.

Session 2:

the three cornerstones of project work,
setting and managing your scope of work,
recognizing and dealing with scope changes,
recommended actions when faced with scope change attempts,
how to recognize scope change attempts before they occur,
practical methods to ensure your work is approved.

Session 3:

the softer side of client service (or should we say the "harder side"?),
setting the right expectations and dealing with expectations set by others,
the set-monitor-reset methodology for managing expectations,
influencing skills,
the value of trust and how to earn trust.

Session 4: No set topics. Free flowing discussion of topics of your choice ... questions about current projects, assignments, etc.

Cost:

US $59 per participant. Joint / combined attendance is strongly discouraged. (i.e. speakerphones). Pay through Paypal. (no Paypal membership needed)

Connection costs are borne by participants: The audio connection may cost you whatever your telephone company charges you for the long distance call.

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To sign up:

First, click on the PayPal icon below and complete the transaction. (no Paypal membership needed) We will not see any of your confidential data except your name and email address. Then email us to confirm.

(You can remove yourself from the class and get a refund (minus $5 processing fee) -- if you do so prior to two days before the class. After that, we assume you are committed and if you want to withdraw, all we can do is offer you a spot at a future event of the same nature.)

Then send email to classes XXX consultingacademy D-O-T com with "Signup for 4 part series" in the subject line. Any other subject text runs the risk of being deleted as spam. (Remember to replace the XXX with @ and the word D-O-T with a dot. That's for spam-protection)

Please include your name and coordinates and the kind of work you do in the body of the message. Also include a copy of your Paypal receipt (after deleting any confidential data.)

You will receive e-mail reply with instructions on how to prepare for the classes, and on how to join the sessions.

Hope to "see" you then.

A recording will be made and posted on a private section of our web site for those (members) who have missed a session to catch up. (Note) We also may select the best, most interesting sessions and make it available in the future to the public at a nominal charge. Hence the confidentiality protection for you.

Note about the recording: We will keep full confidentiality of your name, your employer, your clients etc. If you wish, pick a nickname by which we address you.

From previous class participants in the series:

"These sessions provide a high level look at the qualities,concerns, and pitfalls of consulting on technical projects. Learn the basics before you venture into the scary world of scope creep.Receive numerous pointers that can be applied to various consulting engagements, as well as reference contacts for further investigation. Take advantage of hearing others' experiences in a non-threatening on-line venue."

"Pick up some great "do it right now" ideas. This will help you take the time to think about how you are handling your client rela-
tionships and where you might be falling down on the job."

"Avoid being burned or damaging valuable client relationships with the benefit of an experienced independent consultants' years of wisdom and practical advice."

"Great opportunity to ask questions rather than learning in the school of hard knocks."

"A consultant for consultants". Excellent tips on issues we face all the time as consultants. Things we think about, but never verbalize and think through to a solution, and some things we never think of. David is an excellent discussion leader.

"A great way of networking, learning from other people's experiences in different areas of the business."

"Attend this fast paced interactive telephone class with renowned consultant and trainer David Alev. No matter what your experience, you are sure to pick up some pointers from David and the other participants.

"A very credible insight into the fundamentals of consulting, with excellent examples in the importance of mastering the basics."

"This is a soft skills class that everyone should take. We get so wrapped up in all the technical (stuff) that we forget the common sense way in which to deal with people. This series gives you tips on how to communicate effectively with your client as well as insight into the client's perspective."

"If you want higher client satisfaction, more successful business relations and a new paradigm regarding scope and expectations - take the time to explore this course."

"We covered: 1) Consultant Gotchas - Problems a consultant may encounter on a project. 2) Hurdles a Consultant Encounters - Advice and/or Tips to deal with issues a consultant may encounter on a project."

"Good overview. Instructor is flexible and tries to address issues sensibly, practically and succinctly."