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The Nomadic Developer: Surviving and Thriving in the World of Technology Consulting
Learn the Real Secrets of Succeeding as a Software or IT Consultant in Any Economic Climate!
Despite economic cycles, the idea of using technology to make a company more efficient and competitive—or perhaps even reach a new market— is appealing to all but the most desperate and cash-starved companies. More and more often, those companies look to technology consultants to fulfill their needs.
There are real advantages to being a consultant. You make contacts with a lot of different people; you get exposure to many industries; and most important, unlike a software developer in the IT department for a brick-and-mortar company, as a technology consultant, you are the profit center…so long as you are billing.
Consulting can be hugely rewarding—but it’s easy to fail if you are unprepared. To succeed, you need a mentor who knows the lay of the land. Aaron Erickson is your mentor, and this is your guidebook.
Erickson has done it all—from Practice Leadership to the lowest level project work. In The Nomadic Developer, he brings together his hardwon insights on becoming successful and achieving success through tough times and relentless change. You’ll find 100% practical advice and real experiences—his own and annotations from those in the trenches. In addition, renowned consultants—such as David Chappell, Bruce Eckel, Deborah Kurata, and Ted Neward—share some of their hard-earned lessons.
With this useful guidebook, you can
Objectively assess whether the consultant’s life makes sense for you Break into thebusiness and build a career path that works Avoid the Seven Deadly Firms by identifying unscrupulous technology consultancies and avoiding their traps and pitfalls Understand the business models and mechanics that virtually all consulting firms use Master secret consulting success tips that are typically left unstated or overlooked Gain a competitive advantage by adding more value than your competitors Continue your professional development so you stay billable even during bad times Profit from both fixed-bid and time-and-materials projects Build a personal brand that improves your resiliency no matter what happens
395 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2009
16 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 4, 2012
I work mainly freelance or as an independent consultant, so I picked this book up to see what it had to say about the lifestyle of an itinerant IT worker. It's actually primarily aimed at permanent employees of consulting firms who are developing for the consultancy's clients. As it's very broad, it's useful for anyone involved with consultancy/agency development in some way.
The Nomadic Developer is basically the distillation of years of experience working as an employed consultant. There are three chapters especially useful for analysing consultancy businesses.
There's a useful description of the Seven Deadly Firms, archetypes of consultancies you want to avoid. These are BOZO Consulting, FEAR Consulting, The Body Shop, CHEAP Consulting, Personality Cult Consulting, Smelzer and Melzer Accounting, and "Push the SKU" Consulting. Without describing them further, you can probably get the gist of these. (I'd add to this list, Print Agency Turned Web Dev Consulting.) It's a useful guide if you're likely to walk unawares into a dysfunctional company.
Looking at the inside, there's a field guide to the roles in consulting firms (account managers, engagement managers, sales, marketing, management, admin, even "the industry guru"), and how best to deal with each. This is fitted into the work pipeline of consultancies, explaining who interacts how and when.
The remaining chapter on consultancies on businesses is a fantastic checklist of questions to ask in interviews to create a better assessment of the company. These related to the financials, the way the sales pipeline is managed, the development process used, and the way consultants are treated. ("Interviews Are Not Just for the Employer")
Much of the rest of the book is advice targeted at consultants themselves. The Ten Unstated Traits shows how to be marketable beyond the mere technical skills that go on a CV (appearance, being active in the tech community, being easy to work with, etc). Discussions on Surviving and Thriving explain how to manage not only day-to-day issues, but career paths too. Most of the advice is phrased positively, but Avoiding Career-Limiting Moves lists the seven deadly sins of consulting, ranging from drinking too much at the office party (gluttony) to browsing porn at work (lust) to just doing bad work (sloth). This chapter is quite hard-lined, but the book's four annotators temper it slightly.
Reading this felt like two books intermingled into one. On the one hand, it feels like a clear and insightful map of consulting firms, showing how their pieces fit together. On the other hand, it feels like a wise old man standing over your shoulder offering advice on how to navigate the maze of a career in IT. Much of this doesn't apply to the places I tend to work, but I was still grateful for the author condensing so many years of experience, should I find I need it. If you're young in an IT consulting career, or would like another perspective on your job, I would say this is essential reading, even if you choose not to follow all the advice.
The Nomadic Developer is basically the distillation of years of experience working as an employed consultant. There are three chapters especially useful for analysing consultancy businesses.
There's a useful description of the Seven Deadly Firms, archetypes of consultancies you want to avoid. These are BOZO Consulting, FEAR Consulting, The Body Shop, CHEAP Consulting, Personality Cult Consulting, Smelzer and Melzer Accounting, and "Push the SKU" Consulting. Without describing them further, you can probably get the gist of these. (I'd add to this list, Print Agency Turned Web Dev Consulting.) It's a useful guide if you're likely to walk unawares into a dysfunctional company.
Looking at the inside, there's a field guide to the roles in consulting firms (account managers, engagement managers, sales, marketing, management, admin, even "the industry guru"), and how best to deal with each. This is fitted into the work pipeline of consultancies, explaining who interacts how and when.
The remaining chapter on consultancies on businesses is a fantastic checklist of questions to ask in interviews to create a better assessment of the company. These related to the financials, the way the sales pipeline is managed, the development process used, and the way consultants are treated. ("Interviews Are Not Just for the Employer")
Much of the rest of the book is advice targeted at consultants themselves. The Ten Unstated Traits shows how to be marketable beyond the mere technical skills that go on a CV (appearance, being active in the tech community, being easy to work with, etc). Discussions on Surviving and Thriving explain how to manage not only day-to-day issues, but career paths too. Most of the advice is phrased positively, but Avoiding Career-Limiting Moves lists the seven deadly sins of consulting, ranging from drinking too much at the office party (gluttony) to browsing porn at work (lust) to just doing bad work (sloth). This chapter is quite hard-lined, but the book's four annotators temper it slightly.
Reading this felt like two books intermingled into one. On the one hand, it feels like a clear and insightful map of consulting firms, showing how their pieces fit together. On the other hand, it feels like a wise old man standing over your shoulder offering advice on how to navigate the maze of a career in IT. Much of this doesn't apply to the places I tend to work, but I was still grateful for the author condensing so many years of experience, should I find I need it. If you're young in an IT consulting career, or would like another perspective on your job, I would say this is essential reading, even if you choose not to follow all the advice.
October 5, 2019
It was a great book and I highly recommend it to everyone working in this field, it was, however, in some parts, more targeted toward beginners or graduates, fresh out of college who are thinking about technology consulting as their career.
The other thing is that I can tell by reading the book, that Aaron (at least in the past few years) is more versed toward the consulting and management side of the business than the technical side, which is actually really good if that's what you are looking for ( as I was ).
The other thing is that I can tell by reading the book, that Aaron (at least in the past few years) is more versed toward the consulting and management side of the business than the technical side, which is actually really good if that's what you are looking for ( as I was ).
September 26, 2017
When I first started to search for books for IT consultants I thought they're going to be pretty dull/boring. But I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It was hilarious in a sarcastic way and I learned some new stuff while laughing. I liked the fact that the author gave a lot of examples from his experience. I could relate to some situations while other were totally new to me.
I will probably re-listen this one later on, when I'll have more experience as an IT consultant.
I will probably re-listen this one later on, when I'll have more experience as an IT consultant.
September 22, 2017
If you are looking for an IT consultant job, this book is perfect. List kinds of consultancies, how to manage your time as consultant and benefits/disadvantages of each career path when you are a consultant.
Have a lot of examples but I felt a leak of book, interviews and papers references that could complement the lecture.
Have a lot of examples but I felt a leak of book, interviews and papers references that could complement the lecture.
November 30, 2012
The Nomadic Developer was a delightful overview of the world of consulting as seen through the eyes of a software consultant. Erickson betrays his software orientation by providing such a broad and thorough overview of the business strategy, process, and roles in a consulting organization. With that material laid out, he describes the career paths of a technology consultant, the pros and cons or being a consultant, and tips and techniques for succeeding in the world of consulting companies.
While his work is rather basic for someone already in a consulting company, its excellent organization nevertheless makes for good reminders of principles of success and strategies for career growth.
You can find some of my reflections inspired by this work here:
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
While his work is rather basic for someone already in a consulting company, its excellent organization nevertheless makes for good reminders of principles of success and strategies for career growth.
You can find some of my reflections inspired by this work here:
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
http://chrispwood.blogspot.com/2012/1...
October 21, 2013
I would recommend this for anyone that isn't very familiar with the field and wants to know more, or is in the field and isn't quite sure what to do with it now.
I've been working as a developer in the software consulting industry for a couple of years now, but I'd never really paid too much attention or appreciation to how it all functions. The book centers around explaining the details of how the sales department works to get work for the technical side of the company. Each chapter takes a chunk of that theme and explains it; there's a chapter that details how: the philosophies of management can create one of the '7 Deadly Firms', how individuals can harm and help their career, and many more.
The book was a great way for me to get a big picture of where I am now and where I'm going. It had more typos than I appreciate in a book, but it wasn't impossible to follow the flow of the book.
I've been working as a developer in the software consulting industry for a couple of years now, but I'd never really paid too much attention or appreciation to how it all functions. The book centers around explaining the details of how the sales department works to get work for the technical side of the company. Each chapter takes a chunk of that theme and explains it; there's a chapter that details how: the philosophies of management can create one of the '7 Deadly Firms', how individuals can harm and help their career, and many more.
The book was a great way for me to get a big picture of where I am now and where I'm going. It had more typos than I appreciate in a book, but it wasn't impossible to follow the flow of the book.
November 29, 2012
An excellent book for anyone in technology, not only consultants.
The Nomadic Developer explains in depth numerous types of businesses involved in technology. Businesses are also classified and described based on properties that each contain. The author also describes various metrics which can indicate possible problems or strong points for small, medium, and large businesses.
A lot of advice is given for an individualized perspective also. Lists of tips for minimizing losses and maximizing gains are all logically and rationally enumerated. Means of developing and marketing technological expertise are suggested, along with ways to avoid pitfalls that can lead to client, sales, peer, or management dissatisfaction. Ways of improving both business and technical success are provided in both general and specific terms.
The Nomadic Developer explains in depth numerous types of businesses involved in technology. Businesses are also classified and described based on properties that each contain. The author also describes various metrics which can indicate possible problems or strong points for small, medium, and large businesses.
A lot of advice is given for an individualized perspective also. Lists of tips for minimizing losses and maximizing gains are all logically and rationally enumerated. Means of developing and marketing technological expertise are suggested, along with ways to avoid pitfalls that can lead to client, sales, peer, or management dissatisfaction. Ways of improving both business and technical success are provided in both general and specific terms.
March 24, 2016
The book describes a lot about the tech consultancy business. It give some insight on how the consultancy business work. Interesting for readers who would like to become a tech consultant. If you have some years of experience in that field, this book explains a lot that you already know. It does tell you what soft skills will help you to excel as a tech consultant. However it does not give any tips on those soft skills itself. I hoped the book would have some paragraphs or chapters explaining for example "How to ask the right questions" or listening techniques. Don't expect to have more insight a particular soft skills after reading this. It only explains the world around a tech consultant.
April 27, 2016
This book really illuminates the world of technical consulting and it's a must read for anyone at the start of their career as a developer, consultant or not. It reveals a lot about the rationale for being a consultant as well as the reasons why one may not want to pursue this avenue. This book sits as a contrast the philosophy to Zero to One, a book that expounds on the pursuit of new ideas via the startup route. I wish I had read this years ago but I'm glad I got to read it now. Side note: After Zero to One, this is one of the first "programmer books" I've listened to in Audiobook format.
January 3, 2012
This book is targeted at young consultants who are working at staffing/consulting firms, and as such, it was a good, well-written book with a number of illustrative anecdotes. There is some great general advice on client-service in general, but I have to admit I was looking for some more insight on how to 'run' a tech consulting firm, rather than work in one.
September 3, 2011
This book gives a great description of the consulting world. Providing the reader with several useful tips, suggestions and career strategies to stay on top. If you are looking to be an independent consultant then this is not going to explain all of the intricacies of such a path.
November 22, 2011
Great book for understanding how the IT consulting business works. A must read for everyone working with IT consulting companies or being/wannabe an IT consultant yourself. It also contains lots of career advice.
May 24, 2012
Good reading. Entertaining and useful. Sometimes a little bit too detailed (for the one, who's already in software development), but not to a degree that could neglect the value of the book.
March 31, 2014
If you work at a software consultancy, you should ready this.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews