Tip #2: Please, please me
Who is your target market and what do they need? How can your business make their lives easier? What are other consultants in that industry already offering and how can you improve upon that?

To identify your target market, use the Internet to see what research already exists. Informal focus groups with target customers are also a good way to test the waters.

Tip #3: Ticket to ride
To operate like a business, you need to think like a business and you certainly need to have a clear business strategy that you can articulate in 30 words -- or 140, if you're a Twitterholic.

Starting a business without an official business strategy is like heading to the airport without a specific destination planned out. You just don't know where you'll land. A template for a business strategy is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Tip #4: I am The Walrus
Communicate in the voice of the client. Eliminate jargon that could go over their heads and leave them trying to analyze what you're saying. Effective communication is key to keeping projects afloat and moving them forward.

I like to use the Aunt Ethel test. Think of an Aunt Ethel living in the Midwest. Would she understand what you're saying? Goo goo g'joob. [With apologies to all you in fly-over territory. -Ed.]

Tip #5: Do you want to know a secret?
To keep your work productive it is a good idea to have include a "5-S" technique. This exercise was adopted from the Japanese quality movement and it has been used effectively around the world to increase productivity.

The "5-S" approach stands for:

• Sort: Only have items in your work area that you use on a daily basis. Everything else gets put away in its place. Create filing systems for quick retrieval -- for both paper and electronic based information.
• Straighten: Have a designated place for all moveable items, such as desktop organizers. Everything is labeled in macro-work areas, and there is a logical workflow for shared office machines, such as copiers and printers.
• Shine: Everything in the area looks like "new" condition and operates perfectly. Recycle bins and waste baskets are emptied nightly. That doesn't mean you need to buy new stuff. In fact, using older items is a great way to save money. But keep them in good condition.
• Standardize: This includes visual controls for common areas, such as how to use the copier, and wall planning calendars.
• Sustain: Have a daily and weekly system to keep up with the improvements that you have made.

Tip #6: Getting better
Develop a feedback system so you know what is working with your clients and what isn't. Open communication is a powerful tool. Not only will it enable you to adjust things to keep a client happy, it can be included in your "lessons learned" database for future projects.

In your contract or project agreement, you could include a line in the deliverables about a monthly progress report that will include an area for feedback.