Re: Thoughts about Whether to Become Independant

On Tuesday 18 July 2006 12:43, Chen Shapira wrote:
> I've been thinking about becoming independent as well.
> I add some of my thoughts below.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > 1. I'll have to do my own accounting, taxes, etc.
> > -------------------------------------------------
>
> Not necessarily. One can work with an accountant. It is even
> recommended, since I'm not sure if GnuCash covers the Israeli tax laws.
>

Assuming I do become a freelancer, I'll need an accountant, that's given. 
However, I'll still need to be responsible for such things.

> > 2. I can do what I choose
> > -------------------------
>
> To some extent, this is true. However, you may have to take projects you
> prefer not to simply because you need the money, want to get a foot in
> the door with a specific client, etc.
>
> A friend of mine is an independent interior designer and she had to be
> back at work few days after giving birth, simply because her clients
> needed her and she didn't want to risk them turning to someone else.
> This is something employees don't worry about.

Hmmm... you may be right. 

>
> > 3. I would need good contacts and publicity
> > -------------------------------------------
>
> I think this is the most difficult point.
> It is not enough to be known, you need to be liked as well. People will
> hire you only if they think that they'll enjoy working with you. I don't
> know of anyone who hired a consultant they didn't like. In fact, the
> consultants I know are the nicest people ever.
>
> Forgive me for being frank, but you have a knack for pissing people off.
> I think you can name more than one person who will never ever hire you.
> This is not the right direction.

I think I'm quite friendly in real life, and only on the Internet I tend to 
become annoying. However:

1. I know many other people who are very pleasant in real-life and on the 
Internet are trollish.

2. Some of the freelancers I know, while being nice and all, also sometimes 
got angry or behaved in a non-friendly or tactless manner. Maybe it was just 
to me due to my many faults, but it's still a fact.

They still survived.

3. I believe that if a person is honest, loves what he is doing and is a 
professional, then he'll be able to overcome whatever residue he gets due to 
his Net reputation.

4. I'm working on it. :-) It may not come natural to me, but I still think I'm 
making a lot of progress.

> > 4. More time to do the things I like:
> > -------------------------------------
>
> Not sure about this one. Independents tend to be more busy than
> employees because in addition to their main job duties, they also need
> to do marketing, chase clients and force them to pay, etc.
>

I see.

> > 5. I can see the world:
> > -----------------------
>
> Anything prevents you from going to conferences right now?
> The only plus side is that the travel expenses will be tax-deductible.
>

I don't know. I need to ask permission from my workplace, etc. 

>
> I think you can make a rather good consultant if you can only improve
> two things:
> 1. People skills. Actively try to be very nice and accommodating. You
> tend to annoy many people, and those you annoyed will not hire you.
> Don't fool yourself - No matter how good you are, people will not hire
> you unless they will enjoy working with you.
>
> 2. If you want to train people, you'll need to improve your public
> speaking skills. I saw you are already working on this.

Yes.

Regards,

	Shlomi Fish

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Shlomi Fish      shlomif-ik1l9ssToec+JF/[email protected]
Homepage:        http://www.shlomifish.org/

Chuck Norris wrote a complete Perl 6 implementation in a day but then
destroyed all evidence with his bare hands, so no one will know his secrets.


 
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