Good book for IT Consultantancy skills?

[Z064life]

Hi all,

I work as an IT Consultant.

Are there any good books about how to be an effective IT Consultant? E.g. handle projects which are fraught with feasibility issues, running late/over budget, dealing with awkward clients, etc. Basically, things I need to practise to boost my soft-skills. I work full time in a permenant position as a consultant so I do not want to a book which is about setting up my own business.

I am fully aware of practise before theory etc, but of course theory is paramount to practise correctly. And I don't practise this very often at work.

Also, any other good books for developing soft skills and coaching are appreciated. I am trying to "supercharge" my career.

Thanks

[TurricanII]

I am interested in any responses..

From my past efforts, I can only recommend you pick an eclectic mix of IT books on specific technologies that you deal with and are about to deal with, and non-IT books on soft skills, e.g.:

How to win friends and influence people, Carnegie
The power of now, can't remember!
The rules of work, Templer

The IT specific books (and some hands on or practice experience) for each technology should give you the confidence to consider and plan for the what-if's/known unknowns of your projects.

Edited by TurricanII on Monday 28th November 21:09

[donna180]

I found the Art of Project Management /Scott Berkun to be a really good read. Lots of practical stuff in it.

[72EuropaTC]

The best book by far is the book of life/experience.

Failing that, Sun Tzu: http://unpress.bandersnatch.org/suntzu/artofwar.ht... should help in the meantime.

Edited by 72EuropaTC on Tuesday 29th November 01:00

[Noger]

The two Flawless Consulting books are pretty good at practical things.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flawless-Consulting-Guide-...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flawless-Consulting-Fieldb...