Coming Around Again: MBO Alum Negotiates a Big – and Less Risky – Contract Win

Steve Arhancet,Director of Consultant Services for MBO Partners, shares the story of a big contract win for an MBO Alumni Associate. It all started with a difficult game of chicken between the Associate and an over-reaching procurement office.

“We were able to provide some really useful guidance both to help win the contract – and also to significantly decrease the risks.”

I recently had the chance to work closely with an MBO alumni associate, who reached out to re-engage us to help him with a new contract he was negotiating with a municipality. The vendor requirements were very strict, and he knew he would not be able to afford to set up the process, and procure the high insurance required to do business with the group without using MBO -- where insurance is a part and parcel of our low fixed-fee service offering.

Four Scenarios When Should You Turn Down a Project

As an independent consultant, particularly if you’re new to the field, it’s tempting to accept every prospective project that comes your way. After all, clients and the projects they provide are your source of income. However, just because an opportunity is presented doesn’t mean the project is right for your business. Here are four situations in which you might be better off turning down a job.

 1.   You’re Overbooked

Coworking: The Independent Consultant’s Social Workplace

Working for yourself as an independent consultant offers many benefits, from choosing your own clients and work hours to deciding your company’s direction and goals. Leaving the traditional office environment, however, is not without its challenges. Among the many choices an independent consultant is faced with is a rather basic, but extremely important one: where you will work. Many choose to work out of their homes for the benefits of a comfortable environment with very little additional overhead, but this option often has drawbacks of its own. Where will you meet with clients? How will you handle the isolation – or distractions – of a home office?