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Start & Grow

Building a Consulting Business

A practical Business Nous course in the Start & Grow track.

10 sessions92 lessons4 hours of study Written lessonsWorkbook includedCertificate

What you'll learn

  • Planning Your Business
  • Getting the Work Done
  • Business Building Blocks
  • Crunching the Numbers
  • Test Driving
  • Creating a Sales and Marketing Strategy
  • What It’s All About
  • Exercises & tools

Course content

10 sessions · 92 lessons · ~4 hours · first 2 lessons free

Part 15 lessons
  • Your Velsoft training package contains the following itemsFree2 min
  • A bottle of waterFree2 min
  • Our Top 10 Training Tips2 min
  • Soft ball or object2 min
  • How to Use This Guide2 min
Session One: Course Overview12 lessons
  • Overview3 min
  • Introductions2 min
  • Some common ground rules include2 min
  • Course Overview2 min
  • Identify ways to stay on top of trends and changes2 min
  • Pre-Assignment2 min
  • What qualifications, education, and/or expertise do you have in this area?2 min
  • Pre-Course Assessment2 min
  • A person who provides expert advice professionally2 min
  • All of the above2 min
  • An employer with more than 10 employees2 min
  • You need an expert to create your business plan2 min
Session Five: Planning Your Business11 lessons
  • Morning Wrap-Up2 min
  • Why a Business Plan?2 min
  • Other optional and helpful elements can include2 min
  • Your logo2 min
  • Developing Your Business Structure2 min
  • President2 min
  • Choosing Office Space2 min
  • Designing Your Contact Information2 min
  • Creating Promotional Materials2 min
  • Social media pages2 min
  • Gathering Resources15 min
Session Eight: Getting the Work Done37 lessons
  • Activity2 min
  • Debrief15 min
  • Can I deliver what the client is asking for?2 min
  • Brokers and Agents2 min
  • Consulting Websites2 min
  • Networking and Word of Mouth2 min
  • Cold Calling and Marketing Campaigns2 min
  • At the minimum, the contract should include2 min
  • Who is responsible for the project for the client and consultant2 min
  • Breach of contract clause2 min
  • Drafted By: Smith Consulting2 min
  • Drafted For: Jones Manufacturing2 min
  • Susan Killarney, Chief Operating Officer2 min
  • Perform research into safety legislation2 min
  • Amy Smith2 min
  • One day2 min
  • Sam Smith2 min
  • Winnie Smith2 min
  • Winnie Smith Martin Wallace2 min
  • Total Cost2 min
  • Avoiding Tough Situations2 min
  • Dealing with Cancellations2 min
  • Firing a Client2 min
  • Workshop Wrap-Up2 min
  • In closing2 min
  • Building a Consulting Business3 min
  • Identify new opportunities for learning and pursue them2 min
  • I have these resources to help me2 min
  • Recommended Reading List2 min
  • Course Evaluation2 min
  • Course Length2 min
  • Strongly Agree2 min
  • Final Thoughts2 min
  • Post-Course Assessment2 min
  • Twenty to thirty2 min
  • The project is easy and you have some free time2 min
  • Personal Action Plan2 min
Session Three: Business Building Blocks6 lessons
  • Doing Your Research2 min
  • Segment2 min
  • Site2 min
  • Bringing It All Together2 min
  • Pre-Assignment Review15 min
  • Final Focus2 min
Session Four: Crunching the Numbers15 lessons
  • Developing Financial Budgets and Projections30 min
  • Transportation2 min
  • Travel costs2 min
  • Types of Fee Structures2 min
  • Legal fees2 min
  • Creating Rate Sheets2 min
  • Hourly2 min
  • Half-Day2 min
  • Daily2 min
  • Weekly2 min
  • Travel Expenses2 min
  • Minimum Retainer2 min
  • Payment Terms2 min
  • Flexibility is Key2 min
  • You belong to a guild or union that dictates rate changes2 min
Session Six: Test Driving2 lessons
  • Method2 min
  • Land Line2 min
Session Seven: Creating a Sales and Marketing Strategy2 lessons
  • The Purpose of the Plan2 min
  • Leveraging Social Media15 min
Session Two: What It’s All About1 lesson
  • Basic financial management2 min
Exercises & tools1 lesson
  • How to Use the Assessment Tools2 min

About this course

A practical Business Nous course in the Start & Grow track.

Every lesson is written out in full — this is the complete course, not a summary. You read it, watch the narrated video, and do the exercise against your own business. The workbook is yours to download, print and keep. Finish the lessons and you earn a Business Nous certificate.

Who it's for

Small business owners, managers and ambitious employees who want practical know-how rather than academic theory. No prior study is needed — start where you are and work at your own pace.