Discussion: View Thread

Hi everyone,

Following up on Jonathan's reminder, I thought that I should put the following idea out there:  what about having a panel session titled "Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"? 

Panel sessions have a limit of 3 members, so all we would need to get this panel session off the ground would be a minimum of 3 solo consultants who would be willing to talk about one of the 3 aspects of consulting mentioned in the title of the session.  For instance, one consultant could talk about the Good (e.g., good consulting practices, inspiring case study, strategies for growing one's consulting business), one could talk about the Bad (e.g., conflict resolution, ethical aspects of consulting work) and the other could talk about the Ugly (e.g., parting ways with difficult clients, failed projects, professional isolation).   Or, all 3 consultants could talk about these 3 dimensions to consulting.  

If you are interested in jumping on board, please drop me a line at isabella@ghement.ca and we can organize this session together.   The suggested title is tentative - it would be important to have a session representing the various aspects of solo consulting. 

Thank you!

Isabella

-------------------------------------------
Isabella Ghement
Ghement Statistical Consulting Co.
-------------------------------------------

Very nice idea - I have been a statistical consultant now for almost 7 years after retiring from big pharm as a statistician for 30 years - it is quite different.  I still use my contacts and network to discuss statistical issues and to use the review processes we used in big pharma. 

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------

Hi everyone,

Thank you very much for your valuable feedback on the idea of having a panel discussion titled "Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" at JSM 2012.   Ten consultants have kindly offered their insights and advice for this session.  Based on their input, I would like to suggest the following:

• We should consider structuring this session so that it allows for 6 panel speakers and 1 chair.  This would provide a wide range of perspectives and viewpoints.  (I hope this format is acceptable to JSM.)

• The 6 speakers that explicitly  indicated that that they would like to join the panel are:

        1.  William B. Fairley       

        2.  David Bristol

        3.  MaryJo Smith

        4.  Dennis Sandell

        5.  Michael Chernick

        6.  Heather Krause

        As it stands, the panel is well-balanced in terms of gender, experience, expertise, geographic      location, etc.       

        In addition, Jonathan Schuster, Steve Simon, Richard Browne and Rocco Brunelle have all contributed generous advice on topics and     
        formats   to consider.   It strikes me that there is enough interest here to perhaps launch a second invited session, which could be devoted     
        to   one of these 2 topics: i) The Nuts and Bolts of Setting Up a Statistical Consulting Business or ii) Statistical Consulting Wisdom:     
        Survival  Advice from the Trenches.   (I am new to creating catchy titles for panel sessions, so please bear with me.)

• In choosing what each panel discussant should focus on, we should aim to promote a message of hope.  Yes, consulting has its challenges (which we can talk about honestly but in a positive tone), but if we are aware of these challenges, we should be able to mitigate them.  The overall goal of the session should be for solo consultants to walk away feeling like they are not alone in experiencing the various facets of consulting (including the less glamorous or dignified ones) and that they could immediately adopt some steps to minimize the risk of experiencing the downside of consulting.  An empowered and knowledgeable consultant is less likely to burn out and relate negatively to a profession which has its own wonderful rewards. 

• We don't have a consensus yet on whether each speaker will focus on all 3 aspects of solo consulting (the good, the bad and the ugly) or on a single, preferred, aspect.   Because Michael Chernick has already indicated that he is one of the fortunate consultants to have experienced most of the good side of statistical consulting, I believe he is the prime candidate for talking about steps that consultants can take to create a positive and rewarding consulting career by minimizing the risk of experiencing badness and ugliness.  Please spend a few minutes thinking about what you would like to cover (all 3 aspects or a single aspect) and also if you would like to communicate a "take away" message solo consultants could immediately apply in their businesses in an attempt to experience the blissful state of goodness that they deserve. 

In summary, can all 6 panel members identified above let me know by Tuesday morning (August 6th) if they are ready to commit to this panel in the format suggested, if they have a clear sense of what they would like to cover (all 3 aspects or a single aspect, to be clearly identified).  I think we will not submit tentative titles for each panel member at this point, but if you have one already, please send it to me. 

For the consultants who didn't make it on the panel but were listed in this e-mail, can you let me know if you are interested in participating in another, competing, session, using one of the 2 titles suggested?  I would also need your response by Tuesday morning.

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!   

Kind regards,

Isabella

 

 

-------------------------------------------
Isabella Ghement
Ghement Statistical Consulting Co.
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2011 16:25
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Very nice idea - I have been a statistical consultant now for almost 7 years after retiring from big pharm as a statistician for 30 years - it is quite different.  I still use my contacts and network to discuss statistical issues and to use the review processes we used in big pharma. 

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------

The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman


Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2011 17:05
From: Isabella Ghement
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Hi everyone,

Thank you very much for your valuable feedback on the idea of having a panel discussion titled "Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" at JSM 2012.   Ten consultants have kindly offered their insights and advice for this session.  Based on their input, I would like to suggest the following....

I fall into the second category.  The group that do it full time should be spilt into those that are provate consultants and those that run or are members of a statistical consulting firm.

I think that regardless of which category one falls into the appropriate way to do consulting remains the same.

-------------------------------------------
Michael Chernick
Director of Biostatistical Services
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman


Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2011 17:05
From: Isabella Ghement
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Hi everyone,

Thank you very much for your valuable feedback on the idea of having a panel discussion titled "Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" at JSM 2012.   Ten consultants have kindly offered their insights and advice for this session.  Based on their input, I would like to suggest the following....

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman


Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2011 17:05
From: Isabella Ghement
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Hi everyone,

Thank you very much for your valuable feedback on the idea of having a panel discussion titled "Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" at JSM 2012.   Ten consultants have kindly offered their insights and advice for this session.  Based on their input, I would like to suggest the following....

It shouldn't be very surprising if you consider the number of small biotech, pharma and medical device companies that have no statisticians or a small number of statisticians. Beyond that there are many physicians doing medical or clinical research and are vey much in need of statistical help.  The same case can be made in other industries perhaps to a lesser extent.

-------------------------------------------
Michael Chernick
Director of Biostatistical Services
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman

The category may not be that easy to define for some people.
My category changes. What is "retirement"? Would I accept a "great" job offer?
Do the bad and the ugly sometimes outweigh the good?
If I don't have any active clients, am I retired?
I guess it may depend on how actively I'm looking for new clients or a new job.
David

-------------------------------------------
David Bristol
Statistical Consulting Services
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman

These are good questions.  I think retiring means different things to different people.  I think one can retire in their early 40's from some government jobs but my interpretation of a typical retirement is working at a company long enough to receive some sort of pension or SS or 401K so one does not need to support themselves with a full time job.  But I have noticed that many people don't want to stop work cold turkey, so as a retiree it's nice to have a part time job to fill in some of the free time.  Now being a retiree I'm not as concerned if the workload gets light for a month or so but I imagine I might feel differently if I had no other income to rely on and I had a family to support.  Also, I was fortunate to learn my trade working closely with a lot of talented statisticians for a 30 year period and now I can use this knowledge as an independent statiscial consultant as well as have a large network of people available for questions and support.

I am rambling, a function of old age, and I enjoy reading how other consulting statisticians function. 

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:47
From: David Bristol
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The category may not be that easy to define for some people.
My category changes. What is "retirement"? Would I accept a "great" job offer?
Do the bad and the ugly sometimes outweigh the good?
If I don't have any active clients, am I retired?
I guess it may depend on how actively I'm looking for new clients or a new job.
David

-------------------------------------------
David Bristol
Statistical Consulting Services
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman

I'm not sure to which government you refer that typically allows retirement in one's early forties.  But the Federal Government of the United States requires one to be at least 55 and have 30 years in to retire at will.  There are special circumstances when an early-out is declared (such as severe cuts in government spending) that allows one to retire at 50 if one has at least 20 years in service with 2% reductions for every year one is under 55.

-------------------------------------------
James Baldwin
Station Statistician
US Forest Service
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 13:19
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are good questions.  I think retiring means different things to different people.  I think one can retire in their early 40's from some government jobs but my interpretation of a typical retirement is working at a company long enough to receive some sort of pension or SS or 401K so one does not need to support themselves with a full time job.  But I have noticed that many people don't want to stop work cold turkey, so as a retiree it's nice to have a part time job to fill in some of the free time.  Now being a retiree I'm not as concerned if the workload gets light for a month or so but I imagine I might feel differently if I had no other income to rely on and I had a family to support.  Also, I was fortunate to learn my trade working closely with a lot of talented statisticians for a 30 year period and now I can use this knowledge as an independent statiscial consultant as well as have a large network of people available for questions and support.

I am rambling, a function of old age, and I enjoy reading how other consulting statisticians function. 

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:47
From: David Bristol
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The category may not be that easy to define for some people.
My category changes. What is "retirement"? Would I accept a "great" job offer?
Do the bad and the ugly sometimes outweigh the good?
If I don't have any active clients, am I retired?
I guess it may depend on how actively I'm looking for new clients or a new job.
David

-------------------------------------------
David Bristol
Statistical Consulting Services
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------

Hi Everyone.

Any advice for a masters level biostatistician interested in becoming a statistical consultant?
Would it be wiser for me to join a consulting group than try to market myself as an independent consultant?

Thanks
-------------------------------------------
Margaret Linan
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman

I think either way would be ok.  Going out on your own may be easier.  You need to make some connections with potential clients before you plunge in.  Hopefully you can find some from your work experience either at university or through the industry you have worked in. I thin k that it is important to understand what is involved and what skills you need to be a good consultant before you start.
-------------------------------------------
Michael Chernick
Director of Biostatistical Services
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2011 10:02
From: Margaret Linan
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Hi Everyone.

Any advice for a masters level biostatistician interested in becoming a statistical consultant?
Would it be wiser for me to join a consulting group than try to market myself as an independent consultant?

Thanks
-------------------------------------------
Margaret Linan
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman

I have been following this thread and have a suggestion. I am a retired biostatisticain who managed a Statistical Consulting Unit in a university and prior to that had my own consulting business. I was involved in the development of professional accreditation for members of the Statistical Society of Canada. I was very pleased to see that ASA has now made a similar form of accreditation avialable to its membership. I am wondering if it would be appropriate and effective for the future to explore how some of the needs of consulting statisticains might be served through that framework. For example the SSC has a mentoring program for those new to statistical practice. See http://www.ssc.ca/en/accreditation/mentoring-astat-pstat . ------------------------------------------- Jon Baskerville PHD, P-Stat -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 09-06-2011 10:21 From: Michael Chernick Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly I think either way would be ok. Going out on your own may be easier. You need to make some connections with potential clients before you plunge in. Hopefully you can find some from your work experience either at university or through the industry you have worked in. I thin k that it is important to understand what is involved and what skills you need to be a good consultant before you start. ------------------------------------------- Michael Chernick Director of Biostatistical Services Lankenau Institute for Medical Research -------------------------------------------

I recently got the ASA PSTAT accreditation mainly because I think it will help me to attract clients to my statistical consulting business.  I agree that mentoring programs for statisticians are good things and could be helpful to young statisticians wanting to learn how to do consulting.  I do not think that it will help that much in acquiring new business for the mentee.
-------------------------------------------
Michael Chernick
Director of Biostatistical Services
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2011 11:11
From: Jon Baskerville
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I have been following this thread and have a suggestion. I am a retired biostatisticain who managed a Statistical Consulting Unit in a university and prior to that had my own consulting business. I was involved in the development of professional accreditation for members of the Statistical Society of Canada. I was very pleased to see that ASA has now made a similar form of accreditation avialable to its membership. I am wondering if it would be appropriate and effective for the future to explore how some of the needs of consulting statisticains might be served through that framework. For example the SSC has a mentoring program for those new to statistical practice. See http://www.ssc.ca/en/accreditation/mentoring-astat-pstat .

-------------------------------------------
Jon Baskerville PHD, P-Stat
-------------------------------------------

If you are new and without much experience, it helps to have establish a reputation.  How you obtain that experience is your choice.  From my experience, established connections or a network of people who need your services are the necessary conditions to obtaining contracts. 
-------------------------------------------
MaryJo Smith
Assistant Professor
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2011 10:02
From: Margaret Linan
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Hi Everyone.

Any advice for a masters level biostatistician interested in becoming a statistical consultant?
Would it be wiser for me to join a consulting group than try to market myself as an independent consultant?

Thanks
-------------------------------------------
Margaret Linan
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman

I personally would join a group or company and see first hand how statisiticans work and when you feel comfortable then maybe strike out on your own.  By the way, I have know quite a few statisticians, espeically Master lever, that tried being an independent consultant and it did not work out.  We tend to hear from the ones that are successful.  Sort of a biased sample.

There are times where I don't see much work on the horizon and wonder if I'm going to make much money in the near future - but something usually pops up and keeps me busy.  But at times it's a little concerning - I'm glad the kids are grown and my wife has a full time job.

I don't mean to be down just realistic.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-06-2011 10:02
From: Margaret Linan
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Hi Everyone.

Any advice for a masters level biostatistician interested in becoming a statistical consultant?
Would it be wiser for me to join a consulting group than try to market myself as an independent consultant?

Thanks
-------------------------------------------
Margaret Linan
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 12:37
From: Rocco Brunelle
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

These are interesting categories.  I'm in the retired category and surprized how much work is available for independent statisticians.

-------------------------------------------
Rocco Brunelle
Senior Statistician
Bowsher Brunelle Smith LLC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 09-05-2011 11:55
From: Emil Friedman
Subject: Solo Consulting: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


The discussion might want to bear in mind the different types of consultants  Some of us do it while looking for a job.  Some of us do it in our "spare time".  Some of us do it in a spare time and intend to continue during "retirement", possibly increasing the time we spend on it possibly not.  Some of us do it as a full time career.  Some of us do it during retirement because we need the income while others do it to avoid boredom.  (I have fallen into the first three categories at one point or another.)



-------------------------------------------
Emil Friedman

I would be willing to be on the panel.  Most of my experiences have been good.  Some of my clients have been coworkers at previous companies who thought of me when they needed a consulting statistician and our workign relationships have been excellent. 

-------------------------------------------
Michael Chernick
Director of Biostatistical Services
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research
-------------------------------------------