Author Name: Bill Yarberry
Book Title: $250K Consulting
Social Media Links:
Amazon Page
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamyarberry-iccm/
What is your book about?
How ordinary people, rather than superstars, can create their own consulting business and make $250K or more per year.
What inspired you to write your book?
It was another author. He is a popular speaker, poised, and a bit of a showman. He owns a Ferrari and shows the ambiance of a high profile consultant. My argument throughout the book is that all that personal window dressing is unnecessary. Ordinary people, with competence in an area, and an understanding of human motivations can also achieve success.
If you have a business related to your book, tell us about it:
Yes. I have a consulting business myself (ICCM Consulting, LLC). I provide consulting services in Information Technology matters to CIOs and other IT managers. I also specialize in IT audit and data analytics. But the book’s messages and anecdotes are not restricted to those domains.
What is a typical day like for you?
I commute to the client’s site (while listening to audio books in the car). I have meetings with client personnel but probably spend most of my time doing analytics at whatever office or cube I get assigned. Presentations are important, as are simple narrative communications. I have to understand the real objectives of projects, beyond what is formally stated. Returning home, I exercise about 30 minutes, have dinner and write for an hour or so. A good part of my weekend is devoted to study (technology and other fields) and writing. Sometimes I use the public library or Starbucks to write in different surroundings.
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Organizing and researching a topic of interest to the client, then helping them implement. Writing is part of that but presentations and simple listening are key.
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
For writing itself, an older book (still in print): Writing with Precision: How to Write So That You Cannot Possibly Be Misunderstood by Jefferson D. Bates ; Writing to Learn by William Zinsser; Rick Smith’s Self Publishing series; 2-4 serious classics per year (to improve skill in the Queen’s English; Shakespeare, Great Expectations, Emma, etc.); enough desktop computer books so writers can be efficient with the tools; anything by Issac Asimov (for sparse style)
What advice do you have to offer our readers?
You do not have to be special to be a consultant. You need to constantly learn, both at the speciality and general levels. Save, save, save before going on your own. Talk, talk, talk – the more you rub elbows with people, get in front of decision makers, and pull others into your orbit of expertise, the faster your business will grow. For writers, the answer is surprisingly similar — contacts and interaction are where ideas and critical feedback come from.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I nearly died in an underwater cave when I was in college. My tank was on reserve when I found my way out.
What’s next for you?
I’m pursuing a dual path in my writing: #1 – small business and consulting advice and #2 – technical books on data analytics and machine learning.
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