Switching Gears

Posted By Duncs ~ 31st March 2015

I recently decided to make the shift to go independent. I’m running it like an experiment…

Hypothesis

I can make a living from offering test training.

Whilst I am growing the training business, I will be taking micro-contracts to bolster funds & keep my testing sharp.

 

Success looks like

• I am earning at least the same money as I am on now in 2 months
• I have delivered some training to a client
• I have learned some lessons in client negotiations
• I have learned some lessons in preparing & delivering training

Amplification strategies

• Pursue with more vigour the avenues that have been bringing in leads
• Pursue with more vigour the avenues that have been bringing in money
• Relax exploration of the avenues that haven’t brought in the leads / money
• Explore new potential avenues to generate leads / money

 

Failure looks like

I am not earning the same money as I am on now within 2 months (we wont be able to afford to carry on this experiment).

Dampening strategies

• Cast the offer of training to a wider audience
• Take a contract role, trying to weave the opportunity of training into that role

 

Risk Mitigation

• Re-establish myself in the NW software development community
• Attend non-testing related geek nights
• Speak at non-testing related geek nights
• Attend & speak at local conferences
• Build a polished website for offering my training - Testagility!

—UPDATE—

Great news - I’ve managed to land a gig with a client helping them with a testing health check! This has come after only a month of business development.

This experiment, it seems so far, has been a success. Now to generate the next experiments…