Slides from guest lecture by Mike Maddaloni - @thehotiron - Fall 2020 at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh to students in the Interactive Web Management (IWM) major on consulting skills, ahead of their first client visits. This was presented virtually, and features "extras" on domain names and Web site maintenance.
Mike Maddaloni 2020 Guest Lecture at University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh on Consulting
1. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 1
Consulting Your Way
To An “A”*
*your own results may vary
Journalism 440 – Dr. Sara Steffes Hansen
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
Fall 2020
4. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 4
Who is Mike Maddaloni?
• Consultant my entire career
– Actually, since high school
– Even when it wasn’t my title
• Worked with and for
a variety of firms and industries
5. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 5
What is a Consultant?
• Merriam-Webster says:
– One who gives professional
advice or services
– Expert
Image Source – Jantoo.com, under license
6. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 6
My Definition of a Consultant
• Providing value-added services to clients
• Providing capabilities they do not have
• Finding the right answers, with context
• Customer Service
7. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 7
Client Meetings
• First impressions mean a lot
– Whether you like it or not
• Look the part – attire, organization, background
• Computer vs. Paper
8. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 8
Status Reports
• A Vital Evil!
• Ensures all on the same page
• Identify target audience, progress,
outstanding work, and risks
Image Source – Amazon.com
9. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 9
More on Status Reports
• Be realistic with schedule
– Allow room for changes
– Beyond the status report, check in on schedule
• Deliverables are your reputation
• We are better editors than we are writers
10. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 10
Target Audience
• The ultimate spaghetti test
• All hinges on it and its accuracy
• Use the clients own words to describe it
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Risk
• Risk is there – deal with it!
• It’s Risk Management, not Risk Elimination
• Identify it, create plans to address it
– Plan B
13. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 13
What is a Proposal?
• What you are going to do – scope
– Not what you are not going to do
• A sales tool
• An extension of you
14. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 14
More on Proposals
• Selling the work to be done AND you to do it
• Make sure they read it!
– Client should fully understand it
– Review it with them together if necessary
15. Mike Maddaloni
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Even More on Proposals
• Cite relevant sources
– To industry
– To client contact
– Get more than you need, pick the best
• Write it like you have competition for the work
20. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 20
Bonus – Accessibility
• No barriers to your site and content
– Built into design
– Work with assistive tools
– Don’t get sued!
• More @ WebAIM.org
Image Source – NationalGeographic.com
21. Mike Maddaloni
thehotiron.com 21
Thank You!
thehotiron.com
Image Sources – Harry Houdini (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harry-Houdini),
Marie Curie (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marie-Curie),
Frida Kahlo (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frida-Kahlo)