Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Chicago/Rockford Consultants' Network.

Consultants In Private Practice Serving The Public.

A joint Affinity Group of the Chicago and Rock River Valley IEEE Sections.

To find the best Chicago/Rockford based technology consultants, click here: Link to local consultants data base.

For the best technology consultants, through out the United States click here: Link to national consultants data base.

Next Meeting July 27 2009: It will start at 6:45 pm in room 1A at the Palatine Library. click for map

TWO PRESENTATIONS:

"How to Set your Consulting Fees" and "Giving a Lift to the Elevator Speech" by Joseph Auer.

Successfully winning a consulting contract is highly dependent on the attractiveness of the cost of the associated proposal. That cost will depend primarily on your consulting fees; which must reflect a balance of your costs, your financial goals, what the market will bear and what your competition is offering. During this discussion, we will look at the elements of cost in a business and how to incorporate them in setting your fees. We will investigate how your fees need to address both your costs and your financial goals. We will look at how to address the competitiveness of consulting fees against direct employee costs, as this issue frequently affects the consultant's ability to land a contract. Finally, we will look at how to assess the reasonableness and effectiveness of a candidate fee structure from various perspectives, including the national IEEE bi-annual salary survey. We will use these perspectives to discuss possible options for adjusting the candidate fee structure to its "final" form and its incorporation into the financial planning section of your business plan, and your enterprise.

Your have just overheard a problem-oriented conversation in an elevator which could be a golden consulting opportunity. But, you must act fast; you have perhaps 60-90 seconds of an elevator ride to pique this potential client's interest in your services. This short discussion will provide you some ideas to refine and streamline your personal "elevator speech". (And our network meetings provide you an opportunity to rehearse it).

Time permitting; Joe will also share his somewhat unique start into consulting.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER:

Joseph A. Auer, Jr. is a Director and current Chair of the IEEE Chicago / Rockford Consultants' Network. He has over 35 years of progressively challenging high technology management roles, with expertise in program and engineering project (including software) management, business planning, systems engineering, proposal development and process improvement. He has extensive experience in industry, military, academic and not-for-profit environments. Joe's sole proprietor consulting practice, JAuer Consulting Enterprises, provides timely, world class solutions for program management, engineering management and business planning requirements. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Planetary Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science in Physics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Joe has taught physics and astronomy at local community colleges and is also serving as Chairman of the Board of the Planetary Studies Foundation, a science education not-for-profit colleges.

Please meet us for an optional dinner before the meeting: 5:30 pm at Bakers Square on Northwest Highway, 2 blocks south of the library. Guests are always welcome, both for dinner and the meeting.

Do you know that networking is responsible for most professional jobs? Do a friend a favor; invite him/her to a meeting. There is no admission fee. Don’t forget to bring business cards for networking! Attendees may earn 1 PDH.

Future 2009 meetings will be on September 28 and November 23

Copies of available past meeting presentations, (some are available only from the presenter.)

From the May 18, 2009 meeting one presentation and two handouts are available:

"Project Management - An Electric Utility Perspective" by Michael Jackovich, PE, President and Owner of Project Management Plus Inc. Click here to download.

For the Handouts: (A) "Wind Energy related Organizations" and (B) "Turbine Manufacturers" furnished by Peter Czutrin, PE, senior project manager with Patrick Engineering and an independent consultant in power distribution and renewable energies. Click here to download A. Click here to download B.

Mike Jackovich and Peter Czutrin

For copies of the two presentations of the April 30, 2009 joint meeting with the Rock River Section:

"An overview of system engineering tools including processes, methodologies, and good practices" by Bob Parro, VP of Business Development at River North Solutions. Click here to download.

"Brushless DC Motors, and How IEEE Consultants Networks Benefit IEEE Members in Challenging Times" by Gary Blank Ph.D., an independent engineering consultant, VP of Member Activities on the IEEE-USA Board of Directors, the National Chair for all the IEEE Consultants Networks and the elected Member-at-Large on the IEEE-USA Board of Directors. Click here to download.

Bob Parro and Gary Blank

For copies of the two presentations of March 2009:

"An overview of emerging technologies including wind, solar cell, fuel cell and biofuels" by Stafford Cuffe, a practitioner of emerging technologies, engineering management, energy management/development, lean manufacturing, business development and higher education tools/strategies. Click here to download.

"PLC's in the 21st Century" by Benjamin D. Miller, president of B. Miller Engineering. Click here to download.

Stafford Cuffe and Benjamin D. Miller

For copies of the two presentations of Jan. 2009:

“Installing Linux on a USB drive and its uses for system backup, diagnostics, and data recovery” by William Boyle, President of Application Frameworks and Systems. Click here to download.

“Product Safety” by Harry Jones, Underwriters Laboratories. Click here to download.

Front row: Joseph Auer-Chair, Stafford Cuffe-Public Relations, Andy Mehta-Membership. Back Row: Harry Jones-Secretary (November Presenter), Wesley Marten-Venue, Benjamin Miller-Treasurer and William Boyle-Vice Chair (November Presenter).

For a copy of the Nov. 2008 presentation notes on Modeling a Physical System with Euler Identities and Residue Arithmetic, by NIU Professor Vincent McGinn, click here: to download the PDF notes.

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For a copy of the Sept. 2008 presentation: "The Wind (Power Generation) Industry in Illinois", by Kevin Borgia, Wind for Illinois (WFI) Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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The July 2008 presentation: "Using Independent Test Labs, was by Mike Miller, Ingenium Testing.

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For a copy of the May 2008 presentation: "General Principles of Functional Safety in Consumer Product Design" by Anura Fernando, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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For a copy of March 2008's presentation: "Small Business Retirement Plans" by David Burke, Fidelity Investments. Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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The Jan. 2008 presentation: "How to Find Clients for Consultants, and How to Find Employment if You Need a Job" was by Dr. Gary Blank, Electrical/Electronic Engineering Consultant.

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For a copy of November 2007's presentation: "Functional Verification Methodology" (of digital ASICs and FPGAs) by Paul Egan, Mentor Graphics. Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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For a copy of Sept 2007's presentation: "Convergent Security Risks in Physical Security Systems and IT Infrastructures" by Ron Hale CISM, ISACA's Director of Information Security Practices and Terry Trsar, Chief Professional Development Officer ISACA. Click here: to download the power point presentation.

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For a copy of July 2007's presentation: "Product Certifications - Like Hitting a Moving Target" by Ken Thomas, President of Global Safety Solutions Inc. Click here: to download the power point presentation.

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