- ISBN13: 9780321606396
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Learn the Real Secrets of Succeeding as a Software or IT Consultant in Any Economic Climate! Despite economic cycles, the idea of using technology to make a company more efficient and competitive–or perhaps even reach a new market– is appealing to all but the most desperate and cash-starved companies. More and more often, those companies look to technology consultants to fulfill their needs. There are real advantages to being a consultant. You m… More >>
The Nomadic Developer: Surviving and Thriving in the World of Technology Consulting
Tags: Consulting, developer, economic climate, economic cycles, Nomadic, remainder mark, Surviving, Technology, technology consultants, technology consulting, Thriving, using technology, world
#1 by Rick McQ on February 6, 2010 - 7:57 pm
Full of practical advice and observations. The structure is excellent, like the `seven deadly firms’ and `seven deadly sins’ of career limiting moves. I’ve seen many of these firms before, and committed some of the sins, and it’s nice to hear that so many others have. The book offers honest observations of the profession’s realities and `sad truths’. The lexicon section is also very insightful. The book can remove the mystery for those new to the profession.
Rating: 4 / 5
#2 by Johan Sundstrom on February 6, 2010 - 10:55 pm
I listened to a dotnetrocks podcast (on [...]) with Aaron Erickson where they were discussing topics from the book. I ordered the book to learn even more – and I was not disappointed. On the podcast they focused mainly on the deadly 7 firms, which basically are firms that you probably would not want to work for. However, the author explains how a well managed technical consulting firm works, why there is a demand for consultants, how the cash flow works in a healthy consulting firm, how to create a successful career in technical consulting, etc, etc.
I strongly recommend the book for techies that are looking for a career as technical consultants.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Midwest Book Review on February 6, 2010 - 11:44 pm
New technology can be used to make a company more competitive or even open up new markets, and this idea is appealing to all businesses – but it’s the programming consultant who often makes the leap between an idea and its successful application. One can succeed as a software or IT consultant using The Nomadic Developer: Surviving and Thriving in the World of Technology Consulting. It comes packed with details on how to break into the business and build a successful career by adding value over the competition, and is a top pick for both computer and business libraries.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by James Holmes on February 7, 2010 - 2:30 am
If you’re in the software consulting business, or considering going in to the consulting business, then you really, really need to read this book. It’s chock full of things too many consultants don’t stop to think about before joining consulting firms, or don’t pay attention to once they’re in.
Erickson does a great job covering critical issues like why one would consider going in to consulting, culture profiles of typical consulting companies, critical business aspects of consultancies, and a number of other things I wish I’d known before joining a couple of consulting firms I’ve worked for. Erickson’s writing style is clear, concise, and entertaining. He’s also pulled in a number of “annotators” who provide excellent counterpoints and additional insights throughout the book. There’s also one chapter of short articles by experienced consultants like Ted Neward and Bruce Eckel.
While all of the book is highly useful to readers in the consulting line of work, several topics stood out:
* Understanding critical concepts like sales pipelines, revenue, and margins
* Learning how to ask questions during an interview, and learning which questions to ask
* Figuring out how to survive and thrive at a client and at your consulting company
This book isn’t just for folks in the consulting line of business, it’s also good for independents. Moreover, the career, business, and interviewing advice are great reads for anyone, regardless of the sector they work in.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Thomas Cole on February 7, 2010 - 4:41 am
Erickson takes a humorous and thoughtful look at the IT consulting world (software development). New-comers to IT consulting receive an eye-opening look into the daily life of the consultant. The narrative is written to be insightful, humorous, down-right fun. His commentary is often punctuated with a comrade’s viewpoint, often a dissenting view, but I found that those sidebar items lent the book credibility. The commentary is certainly bold, but opens a window into the business which any new consultant would find irresistible to peer through.
The seasoned consultant will find Erickson’s “formulas” for the consulting business to be downright witty, spot-on, simply entertaining. His terminology and use of analogy are amusing for those of us in the trenches, fighting the consulting battle. His viewpoint is unique, and I found myself considering his advice for my daily routine.
Rating: 5 / 5