Obama regains footing, but more forceful advocacy needed - The Boston Globe

Obama regains footing, but more forceful advocacy needed - The Boston Globe

Probably the most on-point editorial.

Them's fighting words

My favorite line from Obama's speech last night: "Just saying no to everything may be good short-term politics, but it's not leadership." No minds were I changed across the aisle, I can safely say, but if Obama keeps up these needling attacks just maybe the Republicans will relent. I doubt it, but maybe there is still a way to get HCR passed. Now, what kind of fight does Obama have in mind?

Starting out as a part-time consultant

In the last month by happenstance I have picked up one definite client (CDC) and a potential second (a consulting firm). I put up a website because web visibility conveys a more formal and professional image, which should give clients a greater sense of security about my stability. The site is less intended for marketing and promotion for brand new clients, but who knows it may work out that way now that I've hung a shingle up. Business cards, a website, an email address, and a DUNS number: they're all a pretty cheap way to establish a trustworthy image, and they may be the difference between getting the consulting job or not. They also may help a potential client unused to hiring consultants to make a case to upper management to hire you.

One suggestion: if you are interested in drumming up some consulting work, try looking for a job. If you start off as a job applicant, it seems that a job offer can sometimes be converted into a consulting gig. For private consulting firms, at least, they would just as well have you as an outside contractor.

If you decide to consult, pay attention to tax and legal issues, which are laid out nicely in books like "Small Business Start-Up Kit".

I'll post more as a I learn. My brother has been running his own successful legal practiice for years, so I'm interested in his thoughts.