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New consultant Sandy Glanton finds success by fine-tuning services
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By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, RPCN Communication Committee
 Sandra “Sandy” Glanton is a relative newcomer to consulting, but a seasoned RPCN member who is finding the consultant’s lifestyle to be satisfying and promising.
Glanton’s business is Projects Accomplished! Through her business, she said, “I help my clients identify and articulate their project requirements; guide clients through requirements analysis and project planning to decide how to proceed; and provide project management scheduling and other project support services, such as financial management, resource planning, etc., to individual business owners or small to large companies.”
Glanton filed her DBA in May 2014 and works from her home in Walworth, NY. In starting and maintaining her consulting business, she draws on substantial experience in the corporate sector, as well as volunteer work in the community.
“I had been a professional in corporate America for many years, starting directly out of college,” she said. “When I was let go due to downsizing, I embarked on some volunteer projects with The August Group (TAG) and the Pancreatic Cancer Association of Western NY (PCAWNY) while I networked and looked for work. I began contract work for a colleague/friend as a technical writer earlier this year.” From that came her consulting business.
She attended an RPCN Entrepreneur’s Boot Camp and later joined the RPCN, getting involved on more than a “checkbook” level by becoming board secretary. Her volunteer activities have paid off not only in the satisfaction of providing a service, but in drawing business to her business.
Even early in the life of her consultancy, Glanton is adjusting and fine-tuning the focus of her consulting business. “If you had asked me a year or two ago about what my business offerings would be, I would have said that the services would all center around project management,” she explained. “Because my first job for my current client was focused on my technical writing and technical training development skills, though, I decided to expand my offerings to include those skills as well.”
Click here to watch a video interview with Glanton. To read the full interview and find out more about how the RPCN helped her start her consulting business, visit this page on the RPCN website.
Ruth E. Thaler-Carter (www.writerruth.com) is a freelance writer, editor, proofreader and speaker whose motto is “I can write about anything!”™
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Many hands make light work …
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By Dave Bassett, RPCN President
 We’ve held a series of strategic planning and implementation sessions with the membership over this past summer and have gotten a lot of great ideas on how to implement the strategies, as well as volunteers to help the board in doing just that. An update will go out to membership very soon.
The “Surprise Thursdays” appear to be a hit and another one will be coming up this month on October’s Fifth Friday Eve on October 30. Details to come soon.
We have postponed the “Picture Yourself … as a successful consultant” conference until this spring, due to advance registrations being much lower than we anticipated. Several other events in town were scheduled on the same date, which had a big effect on registration. The Conference Committee decided to reschedule to ensure we have a good turnout for all the speakers who have put time and energy into preparing their presentations.
We will offer the consulting business boot camp this winter – thank you to Bob Lurz for leading this effort and making it happen. The boot camp will run on Tuesdays during February and the first week of March of the new year, so save those dates.
We will also be resuming the Trend Talks this winter. A few other events will be coming up in the next few months; we’ll keep you updated on all as the details are finalized.
With all these activities, plus several others going on “behind the scenes,” so to speak, it’s a busy time for RPCN. It’s also fun. If you’d like to help, we’d love to have you contributing. All of our committees are actively looking for volunteers to participate. Just check out the website to get contact info for the particular committee you’re interested in or contact me at dbassett@bassett.pro.
Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts on how we’re doing, what you think we’re doing well and what you think we could do better. The members are the lifeblood of RPCN, and we look forward to your enthusiasm and continued participation. Thank you for your support!
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Mark your calendar for 2015 RPCN Consulting Business Boot Camp
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By Bob Lurz
As part of our 25th Anniversary Celebration, we’re presenting the 2015 RPCN Consulting Business Boot Camp. This is your opportunity to learn how to start your solo consulting business on the right foot (or improve your current consulting practice). The last Boot Camp was a great success, and this one will be even better. You will learn how to:
- Define your Services, Clients & Benefits
- Choose a Legal Business Entity (DBA, LLC, Corp)
- Build your Reputation & Image
- Market your Consulting Services
- Discover your Value to Potential Clients
- Present your Value Proposition & Receive Feedback
The Boot Camp provides hands-on, practical information. You apply what you learn – while you learn. Successful consultants share their knowledge, experience and tips. Learn how to make informed decisions about your consulting practice and avoid serious mistakes and pitfalls.
SAVE THE DATES:
February 3, 10, 17: 7:30 AM–12:30 PM
February 24 & Mar 3: 7:30 AM–4:30 PM
More to come about registration, location, price, refreshments, etc.
Bob Lurz is president of Consultants Accelerator, www.consultantsaccelerator.com.
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RPCN seeks input on programs
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By Michael Van der Gaag, Past President and Programs Chair
As you may know, as part of our strategy for the past couple of years, the RPCN has been presenting programs that, in addition to being interesting and entertaining, are intended to help you develop your skills and your business.
We have identified four topical areas that we believe will achieve those goals:
- The Business of Business
- Marketing & Selling
- Economic Opportunity
- Consulting Fundamentals
Click here to view a more detailed list of specific topics under consideration.
The Program Committee now could use your help in determining what programs you would like us to offer. In particular, we want to know:
- Any additional topics that fit in any of the four areas
- Speakers whom you would like to hear from, especially anyone you’ve heard and can recommend as an excellent presenter for any of the topical areas
- Any other program-relevant information, such as what it would take to attract you to attend more RPCN workshops and meetings
Please send your suggestions to me at programs@rochesterconsultants.org. Your timely response will help us to better serve your needs by providing programs and workshops that help you improve your business.
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Making your business better
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Advisory boards: How often do you work with a business’s advisory board? In this Democrat and Chronicle article, John R. Piccirilli explains how advisory boards can help a small business.
Mistakes: RPCN member Bob Whipple lists 14 political skills that he learned from making mistakes. His list starts with “Know who butters your bread – and act that way” and ends with “Always, always be considerate and gracious.” To find out what the other 12 skills are, go to Bob’s blog, The Trust Ambassador.
Multitasking: Multitasking makes you less efficient, according to the founder of the Center for Brain Health. Read more about how you can get over the habit of multitasking in Robin Harisis’s blog.
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We want you!
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The RPCN newsletter welcomes news, success stories, tips, resources, events and other items that would be of broad interest to consultants. Submit a newsletter item by email to the Communication Committee. RPCN members also may write articles for our website; submit articles here. In the newsletter, we'll highlight submitted articles aimed at helping consultants make their businesses better.
If you have newsletter questions or suggestions, or ideas for how RPCN could improve communications, contact the Communication Committee:
Janice Hanson, Chair
Barbara Moore
Ruth E. Thaler-Carter
Steve Royal
Collin Paran
Please send articles for the November newsletter by October 15.
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Upcoming events
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Technical Forum
facilitated by Steve Royal
Friday, October 3, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated roundtable discussion of any technical issues that consultants encounter in running their businesses, including computers, the Internet and phones. Wondering what kind of questions people are asking? For a list from recent forums, click here.
Improving Profits Through Top-Notch Listening
presented by Don Boice
Friday, October 10, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Business is a series of relationships, and your ability to relate to your customers and your employees – and your employees’ ability to relate to each other – should be part of your business strategy.
Choosing the right people with the right skill sets is just the beginning. To build an efficient, productive and committed team, your workforce also needs the ability to listen – which means to build rapport, be fully present, tune in the other person and not only gather information but build a relationship.
Here is a short video introduction to his presentation.
Business Forum
facilitated by Bob Lurz
Friday, October 17, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Pittsford Community Library
An informal, facilitated roundtable discussion of issues regarding starting or running a consulting business. Wondering what kind of questions people are asking? For a list from recent forums, click here.
RPCN Board Meeting
Friday, October 17, 2014
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Pittsford Community Library
RPCN’s monthly board meeting begins at approximately 10:00 AM, after the Business Forum. Everyone is welcome to attend, but only board members may vote.
Close the Expert-Novice Chasm to Achieve Positive Outcomes
presented by Judith Shenouda
Friday, October 24, 2014
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Brighton Town Hall - Downstairs Meeting Room
Have you ever wondered why so much goes awry in communications and interactions between the expert and the novice? In this presentation, Judith Shenouda will share what she has learned about the expert-novice chasm and how it affects decision-making and problem-solving.
Participants will look at scenarios on how to close the gap in their role as a consultant, leading to improved outcomes.
Here is a short video introduction to her presentation.
RPCN “Surprise Thursday” Social
Thursday, October 30, 2014
6:00 PM
Location TBD
There is no RPCN meeting on Friday, October 31, the fifth Friday of the month, so if you are beside yourself for what to do, or want to get to know your RPCN colleagues in a more informal setting, come to this social gathering (location TBD). Cash bar, but appetizers are on us. Bring friends, colleagues or clients.
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RPCN welcomes the following new members.
Adele Carducci
Harold Leve
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