Consulting Start-Up and Management: A Guide for Evaluators and Applied Researchers

Looking to start up your own research and evaluation consultancy? For almost 20 years, Gail V. Barrington has run popular workshops to help professional researchers and evaluators determine if they have what it takes to succeed as consultants. This book makes that helpful guidance, and more, available to a wider audience. Barrington shows readers how to get started, set fees, find work, manage time and money, set up an ownership structure and business systems, manage contracts, and work with subcontractors and staff. With Barrington′s advice and encouragement, independent practitioners have the roadmap to success! "I would highly recommend it to anyone starting a consulting career. The author has truly singled out the most important lessons to be passed on, both of the practical type and of those related to consultancy."—George Grob, Center for Public Program Evaluation "This book addresses a big and important gap in the evaluation literature. It provides a clear and concise account of what evaluators and applied researchers need to know in order to succeed in independent consulting practice." —Stewart Donaldson, Claremont Graduate University

Table of Contents:
Part I: Consulting and You Chapter 1: The Consulting Landscape Chaper 2: Personal Characteristics Chapter 3: Essential Values Chapter 4: Political Skills Chapter 5: Survival Skills Part II: Entrepreneurial Skills Chapter 6: Getting Started Chapter 7: Your Business Plan Chapter 8: Setting your Fees Chapter 9: Managing Time Chapter 10: Getting to Work Chapter 11: Writing Proposals Part III: Business Skills Chapter 12: Managing Money Chapter 13: Ownership Structures Chapter 14: Managing Risk Chapter 15: Managing Contracts Chapter 16: Managing People Chapter 17: Managing Knowledge Glossary Appendix

About the Author :
Gail Vallance Barrington is a Credentialed Evaluator (CE) and a certified teacher. During her 35 years as owner and manager of an independent consulting company, she completed over 130 evaluation studies, mainly in education, health, and research. She has authored articles, book chapters, and the popular book, Consulting Start-up and Management: A Guide for Evaluators and Applied Researchers (SAGE, 2012). She has served on the boards of both the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES). Awards include the CES Contribution to Evaluation in Canada Award (2008) and the AEA Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Award for Evaluation Practice (2016). She is a Fellow of the Canadian Evaluation Society (2018) and the Certified Management Consultants of Canada (2014). She holds degrees from McGill University (BA), Carleton University (MA) and the University of Alberta (PhD in Educational Administration). She teaches research and evaluation skills online for Michigan State University and the University of Alberta. For more information see www.barringtonresearchgrp.com.

Review :
“I am often asked by younger colleagues for advice about working as a full-time consultant. This book is an excellent resource to recommend.” “This book is practical and addresses the gap between what is learned in classrooms and what is learned in practice. Its user-friendly format is pitched for consultants and other practitioners, and it will also be very useful for students." “I recommend this book because it’s a hands-on, application-based book that would make an excellent supplement to a course or as a reference book. I would readily use it in my daily business transactions.” “I would highly recommend it to anyone starting a consulting career. The author has truly singled out the most important lessons to be passed on, both of the practical type and of those related to consultancy in a meaningful and balanced life.” “This book addresses a big and important gap in the evaluation literature. This book provides a clear and concise account of what evaluators and applied researchers need to know in order to succeed in independent consulting practice.” “Every new consultant (and those considering independent consultancy) will benefit greatly from this book in many ways.” “This book is relevant for both new consultants and those with some experience for the wealth of examples and information included. It covers the breadth of the experience of having your own business while being a researcher, and a full person with a social life too.”—Rita S. Fierro, independent research consultant "True to the collaborative spirit of evaluation, Gail has generously shared her vast experience consulting in the field. She provides honest insights, useful ideas and practical advice that others might hold close to their chest as competitive information. This book will be a valuable resource for those just embarking on a consulting career and consulting veterans alike. Although we have been in business for over 11 years, the ideas and examples in the book have inspired us to improve our own processes."   Consulting Start-up and Management, while basic in the information it imparts, is a treasure, covering the many aspects of consulting that should be explored by anyone who is contemplating the leap.