Do you have what it takes?
If you're toying with the idea of jumping into the Lotus consulting arena, get a clear picture of whether or not you really have the proper tools to thrive in that role by answering true or false to the following statements:

• I am a take-charge kind of person.
• I can influence most people.
• I enjoy the thrill of taking calculated risks.
• I am proactive and prefer to set my own deadlines versus have someone impose them on me.
• I have excellent health and lots of energy.
• I like the challenge of facing obstacles and solving problems.
• I have the emotional ability to bounce back after failure.
• I can make sound decisions in a hurry.
• I have the staying power that enables me to keep at a project despite obstacles or discouragements.
• My friends and family are supportive.
• I know how much money I will need to carry me through until I am self-supporting.

If you've answered false to most of the above, running your own consulting businesss is probably not for you. If just have a few false answers, these are indicators of where you can focus your energy to build a consulting practice. And if you answered true, nothing's going to stop you!

Now that you've identified if consulting is for you, here are ten steps to launch your practice, maintain your business and eventually grow it further. To help you along, I've used song titles from The Beatles, to help you remember each tip.

Tip #1: A little help from my friends
Think of the Connectors that you know (this term is from Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point) and educate them about what service your business offers. These are the people who will drive business your way and help spread the news via word of mouth. Examples of Connectors include a previous boss, a relative, a parent at your child's school, or a friend of a friend.

The best way to do this is through a casual "informational interview" over coffee or lunch. Spending 30 minutes with someone to talk about where you're heading is a great way to get their wheels going so they can think about how they can help, who they know and also if your message and market positioning is clear and understandable.

And make sure you pay for the coffee.