How can a humans services case manager for disabled adults and other very challenging populations, parlay her knowledge of people, psychotherapy, problem solving, and resources, into a for-profit coaching/consulting/facilitator-trainer role?

-- Susan Benjaminsen (suzb123@earthlink.net), October 06, 2000

Answers

We have done for-profit work with non-profit organizations. Our experiences have shyed us away from this sector because it requires a lot more patience and as Peter Drucker has pointed out practices can be so out-dated and the environment political. Which however represents an opportunity for you Susan because you will have developed the prequisities for working with non-profits as a paid consultant.

Of course you can extend your consulting to corporations but since you have worked with very challenging populations, your going to be far more receptive to the nuances of working with non-profits than we were prepared to be.

The same websites that promote employment opportunities will have options for suppliers also, I was thinking of sites like http://www.charityvillage.com

You have the background that is very attractive for non-profits, my suggestion is that you make a list of non-profits you want to work with, prepare a marketing package of the kind of consultation you have done before (because the work you have done before was consultation) and show in that package how your experiences will be of benefit to the growth and development of the non-profit.

I think once you make up the list and start calling on these non- profit organizations, you will make a great deal of headway. The other option is to join a consulting house (who are eagerly looking for consultants due to the tight job market), but what you give up in that case is to pick and choose your assignments and giving up your own personal branding.

Our main focus is with large corporations and emerging new economy companies. It all depends on what you want to focus on, but if it is non-profit's you want to focus on, there is plenty of opportunities for paid assignments.

Of course, there also government opportunities and these involve a more structured approach where they ask for Request for Quotations. That is another avenue you can pursue and therefore look into the bid processes that governments use.

There are plenty of opportunities available but it comes down to how you package what you have done before and how well you can show the benefit you bring to the table in helping these organizations succeed in their missions.

Also look at virtual consulting partnerships as an opportunity, so phone around and speak to people directly who have experience of the area you most want to focus on and then take it from there.

-- Mark Zorro (zorromark@consultant.com), October 06, 2000.