[.ca] A New Brand of Expertise: How Independent Consultants, ... (ISBN 0750672927)

a "roadmap" for consultants:
A New Brand of Expertise is definitely an easy read and filled with all sorts of practical tips for both consultants and clients. As a veteran consultant, I found myself in agreement with many of McGovern's comments. When consulting works well, it sures beats "working for a living," as one of the consultants featured in the book mentioned. This book gives the rookie consultant a lot of solid advice on how to get started and be successful. I wish this book existed when I first made the transition to consulting.

Very Interesting and Informative:
As an established career consultant and coach, I advise my clients about current work and labor trends to help them make wise and profitable career choices. Long-term employment is gradually being replaced by short-term, project-oriented work. Knowing about this trend is important but knowing how to survive and thrive in this new environment is crucial and this book provides a useful step in understanding the change. This book is an outstanding resource for both workers and employers who want to thrive in the new world of work. A "Must Read."

Not bad, but there are better books out there:
While there is good information here I would strongly recommend some other titles. For anyone who is considering a free agent / consulting career, "Free Agent Nation" by Daniel Pink provides a good "big picture" view of what you're in for. And for advice on consulting, books by Alan Weiss are killer stuff. I read "Million Dollar Consulting in the early 90's and thought it was excellent. And I recently purchased "Getting Started in Consulting", which takes the themes from his early books and translates them into a step by step roadmap. Straightforward, succinct, practical insights into how to build a business.

Great Resource:
I found this to be an invaluable resource for individuals who are practicing as independent consultants or just getting started. Also, leaders of tomorrow's "Fast Companies" will be convinced that using "spot talent" should be a crucial piece of their talent strategy - McGovern illustrates the many uses and successes of consultants. Her experiences in the business provide a wealth of knowledge to both sides. It's a quick read peppered with real-life examples. I have recommended this book to friends who work as free agents/gurus/etc - the advice is up to the minute and prepares individuals and companies for the workplace of the future.

A "Must Have":
A New Brand of Expertise is an excellent and current read for anyone who is new to the world of consulting. This is a viable resource for networking and marketing oneself as an independent consultant and provides many insightful suggestions on how to effectively make the transition from full-time employment to independent consultant. As for the seasoned consultants who need a refresher and perhaps a re-affirmation as to why they still choose the world of Free Agents over full-time employment-this book needs to be in your library!