Many dream of high growth. Few achieve it. The reality is that it's a harder cycle to complete than entrepreneurs and founders expect. The risks are numerous and intense. The right investors will give you the space and the fuel to perfect your idea and connect with your market. However, they are going to ask you a series of searching questions about how you are actually going to perform. Kevin R Smith knows all about the pressures that entrepreneurs and founders face. He has helped hundreds of them to plan, fund and scale their ventures. Often when they're short of time or not sure which way to turn. Based on all these experiences, his book highlights the decisions and the capabilities that make the difference between those who accelerate and those who plateau. Written as a realistic guide to meeting the expectations of investors, he gives you a step-by-step guide to what you have to put in place to become fundable and put yourself on the path to scaling up.

Is this the right book for me? If you are a consultant in any field, working for any size organisation from 'one man and his dog' to a massive multinational, or thinking of moving into consultation, then this is the book for you! Coverage includes: *What makes a successful consultant *Setting a clear vision *Assessing resources *How to write reports and give presentations *Building up your customer facing skills *Dealing with difficult clients *Balancing your work with the rest of your life. Containing lots of practical advice, this book also features interviews with successful consultants who have a wealth of experience to share. Written in an accessible style, it will give you the confidence to shine in consultancy. Successful Consulting includes: Chapter 1: What do you want from this? Chapter 2: Consulting excellence at work Chapter 3: What makes a successful consultant Chapter 4: Setting a clear vision Chapter 5: Bringing power to your aim Chapter 6: Assessing your resources Chapter 7: Tools to make it happen Chapter 8: Client project management Chapter 9: Managing client expectations Chapter 10: Avoiding project pitfalls Chapter 11: Image Chapter 12: Writing a client report Chapter 13: Giving a client presentation Chapter 14: Running a client workshop/project meeting Chapter 15: Building client relationships Chapter 16: Handling client politics Chapter 17: Influencing and negotiation Chapter 18: Dealing with difficult clients Chapter 19: Dealing with internal relationships Chapter 20: Marketing your services Chapter 21: Starting and running your own business Chapter 22: Balancing your work with the rest of your life Chapter 23: Going forward Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and added features: Not got much time? One and five-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. Author insights Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience. Test yourself Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. Extend your knowledge Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of consulting. Five things to remember Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. Try this Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.