As an independent business consultant do you sometimes feel like Rodney Dangerfield, the comedian who made a career out of self-deprecating comments about how he never got any respect? Rodney’s shtick resonates with me much of the time due to the lack of respect I feel this industry gets.

I say this because, if I go looking for independent business consultant on the US Government’s Department of Labor site and there is no SIC code (Standard Industrial Classification Code) for Business Consultant. If I’m searching for support services to help me grow my practice, not much luck.

If I look for things like Human Resources or Coaching, however, I find support and services galore. If I’m in just my speaker mode, there is a wealth of resources, training, materials, etc. As a trainer I have no end to the people seeking to support or sell to me. But, when it comes to the number and quality of resources out there for guys and gals like myself (i.e., self-employed consultants providing value to the small to medium sized business world) the pickings are slim. Heck, there aren’t even many providers selling services or materials to this market, and nothing screams lack of respect more than not
even being seen as a viable target market.

Yes, I like most others I know in my profession, are members of professional organizations, but these are ancillary, indirect organizations built for other professions like speakers, trainers, HR professionals or coaches. While these may be roles an Independent Business Consultant plays in part, the profession spans all of them so any of these organizations only address a single aspect of my practice.

It’s not like I’m alone in what I do as a profession. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there are over 300,000 “independent” business consultants out there in just the US alone. It is the 5th fastest growing market segment in the country and is predicted to grow as much as 60% by the year 2014. Given these kind of stats one would assume the “independent business consultant” market would be treated very much like any other industry; but I’m just not feeling the love.

I guess I can’t complain too much, however, because I think I’m just as much to blame as anything else. The very title of our profession just might provide us with the best hint at why this problem exists. As ”independent” business consultants, we’re just that…independent. By our very nature we work alone or in very small partnerships at best. It’s this relative isolation that I would argue has created a general lack of cohesion, or sense of community. And if the profession itself doesn’t have any cohesion, how can
the rest of the world see it clearly, or treat it accordingly?

So what are we to do to change things, bring about some cohesion in our industry and start getting a little respect if you will? Well, there I don’t have a solution and so I’m going to ask you my readers to help.

I’ve created a short survey where you can share your thoughts on what can be done to create a more cohesive market, bring more dedicated support to our family and garner more credibility as a real industry, Basically, what can we do to start getting more respect.

I guess the good news is that this problem exists among a group of professional that get paid to solve problems. We may just be suffering from the old “doctor heal thyself” adage, but that can change by refocusing, organizing our thoughts and pooling our resources.

To complete this short survey simply visits the URL below. I’ll let it run for a couple of weeks and then I’ll share the findings with everyone.

Who knows what we’ll find among ourselves, but at a minimum perhaps this in and of itself will be a good exercise in decreasing the isolation.

Thanks,
Jay Niblick

Independent Business Consultant Survey:

bold http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FLZ55ZF

Because I live in Vegas, I get a chance to dine at various establishments and attend a plethora of shows… and being a Vegas resident for 7 years, I am an expert on dining and entertainment in Sin City.  I’m just sayin’… if you’re interested, read on.

Sensi at Bellagio

Sensi at the Bellagio

I had a great friend and client in town who was staying at the Bellagio, so we decided to make it simple and stay on property. Jennifer had mentioned that Sensi was a beautiful place and I had never been, so I booked reservations for 4.  Jennifer and I arrived a bit early and grabbed a drink at the bar while Steve and Barb were on their way.  The bar had a cool vibe…small, yet very current, water flowing around… a cool place.  Barb and Steve arrived and we were seated for dinner.

Per the Bellagio website… here’s the description of Sensi:

Sensi offers a greater purpose to dining involving all five senses. The food and presentation from the four kitchens constantly evolves to produce innovative culinary creations from Chef Martin Heierling. The kitchen takes center-stage while four complementary cuisines: Italian, Asian, American Grill and seafood specialties take leading roles. Quality, purity and freshness prevail in every creation. Enjoy this truly unique style of dining complete with an impressive wine list and striking carved stone, waterfalls and mirrored chrome.

Oh wow, can u say bait & switch or infomercial.  Not even close.  I’d say Chef Martin Heierling needs to get out of the twilight zone.  I’m sure he’s a great guy and very talented… I just question the quality control.

Our conversation was fantastic… thank goodness for that because the food was so-so at best.  Steve and i weren’t too hungry, so we went with some appetizers while the girls had a full meal.  They both had entrees and appetizers, which looked good, yet looked better than it tasted, and of course small portions as we were feeding my 11 year old daughter.   I had ordered a calamari appetizer, as I felt it would be unique, as Sensi was a cool, hip place.  The worst we’ve every had. Soaked in grease, crunchy and no flavor. We actually sent it back for some lobster lettuce wraps… which consisted of a deep fried piece of lobster sitting on cold lo-mein noodles wrapped in lettuce.  Interesting  Hmmm…. again, below expectations.  Overall rating 4 out of 10.  If the company wasn’t so good, the rating my have been a 3.

Just a few days earlier, Jennifer, Zoe and I  ate at the Bellagio Cafe… their food was amazing, service was quick and it was a great experience.   Hmm…. We had a great time and the food was fantastic at the “cafe.” Just goes to show, the trendy, glitzy restaurants are often just that.

Dan Lier, JJL, Steve & Barb

Because I live in Vegas, I get a chance to dine at various establishments and attend a plethora of shows… and being a Vegas resident for 7 years, I am an expert on dining and entertainment in Sin City.  I’m just sayin’… if you’re interested, read on.

Prime Steakhouse... 3 of 10

I’ll make this a short story… stuffy, overpriced and mediocre.  Old school money type dinner… reminded me of some old country club what wouldn’t allow Tiger to dine there because he didn’t fit their profile.  Obviously, I’m being facitious, yet the vibe in there was very stiff.  No thanks.  I love a great steak dinner, yet i enjoy feeling comfortable and there are many other places, such as Charlie Palmers in the Four Seasons, or Ruth Chris.  Rating 3 of 10.  Expensive and disappointing.

Here’s Prime’s description: Savor every rich detail. Award-winning, four-star celebrity chef and restaurateur, Jean-Georges Vongerichten invites you to realize steakhouse dining at its finest with prime steak, seafood and lamb accompanied by fabulous sauces, sides and meticulously selected wines. Ensconce yourself in the establishment’s handsome chocolate brown and delicate Tiffany blue décor – the elaborate design of Michael DeSantis. To further enhance your experience, prominent pieces of artwork are on display including three commissioned paintings by Carlo Maria Mariani, George Deem and Michael Gregory, as well as a water-themed canvas screen created by Joseph Raffael. A garden patio provides the perfect setting for lingering with your favorite cocktail in one hand and a fine cigar in the other.

Wow…you and make anything sound good with some solid descriptors and name dropping.  i say drop on over to Charlie Palmers.

I’ve lived in Vegas for close to seven years now and last night, we attended the Penn & Teller Show, which is a combination of comedy, magic and philosophy.  Penn, of course, is the ringleader with his big presence and big voice and he skillfully works the audience and narrates each bit with a blend of drama and education.

I must say, the show exceeded my expectations.  On a 0-10 scale, I give it a solid 9. What was interesting to me is how they did a bit (magic trick or act) and then often times educated the audience on how it was done, while playfully poking fun at the Chris Angels’ and John Edwards’ of the world.  Classic stuff.  In addition, Penn is an extremely intelligent guy who is on the “left-side” politically, and speaks his mind and uses jokes and illusion to communicate his views on the world.  Here’s a video of one of their bits below.

Jennifer and I attended the show, along with the kids, who are 13 and 11 and they thought the show was “awesome.”  So, if you’re coming to Vegas and you’re looking for a very cool, intelligent show for the entire family, consider Penn & Teller at the Rio Hotel & Casino.  I would think any child over 10 would dig the show.  After the show, both Penn & Teller signed autographs and took pictures, which is not typical in Vegas, so that was very cool.  I had met Teller a few times; once on a Southwest Airlines flight, and the other at one of my speaking events, so it was fun to finally see the show and connect with him.  Jennifer, who is a Vegas headline Singer, is an acquaintance of Penn, so she was able to connect with him as well; and he is 6’6″… which I didn’t know.  Great night in Vegas.

Penn Jillette & Dan Lier