Analytics Magazine Analytics Magazine, January/February 2014 | Page 36

ADVEN T U RE S I N C O NS U LT I NG Eighteen things nobody tells you about solo practice BY DOUG SAMUELSON So you’ve decided to break free of whatever organization you worked for and go out on your own as an analytics guru, have you? Solo practice does have its attractions. You’ll have a boss you can always reason with. You get to set your own hours, rates and expectations. Freedom! But there are a few things you had better keep in mind. S – it’s all yours! You see to it or it won’t get done. This means: 2. Your time and attention are your most critical and scarce resources. Manage them accordingly. Lots of people will want to talk to you, usually about what they want, not what you want. Be polite and approachable, but learn to say “no,” preferably gently, but firmly when necessary. You’ll have to say “no” a lot. And, to make this aspect of your life more difficult: 1. Everything is your responsibility. Paying the bills, writing thank-you notes and holiday cards, marketing, sales, do3. Hordes of people have someing the taxes, even cleaning the toilet thing to tell you. Ralph Waldo 36 | A N A LY T I C S - M A G A Z I N E . O R G W W W. I N F O R M S . O R G