Transition to Independence

Use the T2I Plan to Work and Live on Your Terms With the help of email and mobile phones, the modern American workday has seeped into nearly every moment of our waking lives. The result: we are becoming time-poor, with too much focus on work and not nearly enough time for life.There is an alternative, however: the lifestyle of independent consultants, professionals who offer their expertise on a per-project basis. Independents have the freedom to regain a healthy work/life balance and live happier lives—without sacrificing their earning potential. Becoming an Independent sounds appealing, but getting there can be confusing, frustrating, and even risky. Designed to be applicable to a wide variety of work and personal conditions, Transition to Independence helps you overcome these challenges with the step-by-step T2I Plan, which guides you through: distilling your career experiences into a marketable asset, preparing yourself (and your family) for the Independent’s lifestyle, planning a low-risk transition from your corporate job to Independence, improving your earning potential over time, and continuing to learn and grow with the online T2I community.

AARON ZWAS is a consulting journeyman with fifteen years of independent experience as a strategic technology advisor. His career, and the evolution of the T2I Plan, has spanned the lifestyles of a travel writer, young-and-single in New York City, and—currently—as a suburban married father of three.Aaron manages his consulting practice, Zwas Group, from his home office and is able to spend significant time with his young family.

Introduction Chapter 1:Three Reasons Why Today Should Be Your Independence Day Reason #1: Your White-Collar Job Is Becoming a Commodity Reason #2: You Are Not Happy Reason #3: There Has Never Been a Better Time Chapter 2: Consulting Is Right for You Chapter 3: Define Your Consulting Expertise Part 1: Create Your Expertise Sketch Part 2: Define Your Value-Add Part 3: Create Your New Title and Description Part 4: Define Your Market Part 5: Get a Life Chapter 4: Create Your Prep Plan Part 1: Prepare Yourself Part 2: Prepare Your Family and Friends Part 3: Prepare Your Organization Part 4: Prepare Your Brand Part 5: Prepare Your Workspace Prep Plan recap Chapter 5: Transition with Confidence Part 1: Prime the Pump Part 2: Moonlighting and Part-Time Work Part 3: When to Leave and How to Do It Chapter 6: Win and Sustain New Business Part 1: Know Your Strategic Objectives Part 2: Get to Know a Potential Client Part 3: Frame up Your Offer and Submit Your Proposal Part 4: After Submitting the Proposal Chapter 7: Adding Value Always Part 1: Build Alignment Part 2: Fight Folklore Part 3: Enable Success for Others Part 4: Teach to Fish Part 5: Understand the Bigger Picture Chapter 8: Evolve and Grow Keep Score Time Your Exit Publish and Promote Build and Refine Your Templates Mind the Gaps Chapter 9: Play Jazz