A recent project was a real learning experience about the risks associated with out-sourcing. Not that it would stop me from out sourcing any other work, but rather it taught me how to manage the risks of using someone outside your company. The project began with everyone positive and upbeat, but then things began ton [...]
This article is based on a presentation I gave at Freelance Camp TO on Sunday, October 3, 2010. Hi, my name is Elie Kochman, and for the last four years, I’ve been working as a freelancer. When Rachel asked me to present this session, I was amused. I had, after all, missed the deadline for [...]
In recent weeks, the number of projects I’ve been involved with has rapidly grown, from the few constants and a couple small projects, to several large projects, a few smaller projects, and a constant turn-over of hourly projects. When I sat down one day to work, and realized that I had 8 active projects to [...]
I just got back from a trip to Israel a few days ago. Knowing that my internet access while away would be limited, I wrote the articles to be published while I was away before leaving. Prepared for jet lag on my return, I also wrote a couple articles for the days after my return. [...]
Look at a typical business, and you will see that they have multiple clients active at any point in time. This is nothing unusual – few jobs allow you the dedication to focus completely on a single client or project for any length of time. When you’re working for yourself, though, you need to be [...]
I was having lunch the other day with an old friend discussing the consulting that I do. He asked me how I come up with prices to quote potential clients, specifically when the work is being done on a project basis, not hourly. After explaining my system to him, I realized that other people likely [...]
Elie Kochman is the author of Advice for Small Business Owners and the founder of Optimal Upgrade Consulting. Using his experience working in the corporate world along with his exposure to the world of small businesses, he writes these articles to assist others avoiding common pitfalls of growing a business. His experience in the corporate world, building his own business, and working directly with other growing businesses has given him some perspective on the trials and pains of running a business.
