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From: yan@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.questions,comp.os.ms-windows.programmer.misc
Subject: Help! KC Area Computer Consult. Survey
Message-ID: <1993Feb18.140858.47424@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu>
Date: 18 Feb 93 14:08:58 CST
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services
Lines: 233
Kansas City Metro Area Computer Consultant Survey
Hello Fellow Computer Professional,
This survey is intended to identify factors that influence the
success of computer consulting firms and independent computer
consultants during their first few years in business.
These are the criteria I'm looking for in a respondent:
1: Live or work within 100 miles of Kansas City (Includes Topeka
and Baldwin)
2: Owns or works for a Computer Consulting business: (software
or hardware support
3: Moonlights doing hardware and / or software computer consulting
The intent of this survey is to identify the factors which contribute
to your successes. All of the information you provide will be kept
anonymous and confidential. If you would like the tabulated results
of this survey you may include your address with your response or
contact me via phone or mail.
Doug Sands
10930 Lackman Road
Lenexa, KS 66219
(913) 752-0129 (days)
I am doing this survey as part of the requirements for a
degree program.
I am grateful to you for your help and am confident that the
results, if you receive them, will be of use to you.
RETURN THIS SURVEY TO: YAN@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.EDU
Thanks
Regards,
Doug Sands
================================================================
THESE ARE INSTRUCTIONS:
For the multiple choice questions, type your response after the prompt
RESPONSE (1 only):
EXAMPLE: 1. Do you have hair on your head?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes 2. No
Where more than one response may be chosen type your response(s) after
the prompt: RESPONSE(S) (All that apply):
EXAMPLE: 1. Which types of recreation do you enjoy daily?
RESPONSE(S) (All that apply):
1. Reading 2. TV 3. Music
4. Games 5. Good Conversation
For other types of questions, follow the directions given.
================================================================
THIS IS THE SURVEY
1. Do you do computer consulting?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes 2. No
2. Are you the principal (partner, president, sole proprietor,
etc.) in your consulting business? (Answer NO if you do
consulting while holding down a non-consulting job.)
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes 2. No
3. During your first year in business what sources of cash did
you rely upon?
RESPONSE(S) (All that apply):
1. Computer Consulting
2. Savings
3. Borrowing
4. Other: Please Describe Below
4. In the first six months of your business, how many different
clients did you have?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. 1
2. 2 - 3
3. 4 - 5
4. 5 or more
5. In the first two years of your business, how many
different clients did you have?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. 1 - 3
2. 4 - 6
3. 7 - 9
4. 10 or more
6. Where do you get new business, indicate from which source(s)
came clients.
In each of the two columns place an X to mark it as your choice.
If a source provided no new business, leave both columns blank.
First Two Years Currently
Consulting
Newspaper Ads __ __
Yellow Pages __ __
Other Print Advertising __ __
Direct mailings __ __
Non-Business Contacts __ __
Existing Business Contacts __ __
Word of Mouth from Clients __ __
Memberships in Associations __ __
or User's Groups
Other: Please Describe Below
7. How many years did you consult part time before it became
your primary occupation?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. __________ (Type How Long)
2. Never consulted on the side.
3. Still consulting part time
8. Did you prepare a business plan before launching your
consulting business?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes
2. No
9. Since its original preparation, has your business plan has
been modified one or more times?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not Applicable
10. Are you getting as much work of the type you anticipated when
you started your business?
(For example: you expected to data base programming for
small businesses, and now find yourself helping clients get
new applications up and running.)
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not Applicable
11. Are you getting as much work from your target market as you
anticipated?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes
2. No
3. Not Applicable
12. How would you describe the knowledge your customers have
about the work they're asking you to do?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Never Knowledgeable
2. Rarely Knowledgeable
3. Sometimes Knowledgeable
4. Usually Knowledgeable
5. Always Knowledgeable
13. How would you describe the interest your customers have in
the way you are going to solve their problem?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Never Interested
2. Rarely Interested
3. Sometimes Interested
4. Usually Interested
5. Always Interested
14. Do your customers watch you work?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Never
2. Rarely
3. Sometimes
4. Usually
5. Alway
15. Based upon your experience, how important are the following
to your clients when selling your computer consulting
services?
For each choice (education, references, etc.), place in X in
only one column
Not Sometimes Very
Important Important Important
Education __ __ __
References __ __ __
Knowledge of the
problem at hand __ __ __
Price __ __ __
Advertising __ __ __
16. What are your annual revenues from computer consulting?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Under $10,000
2. $10,001 - $25,000
3. $25,001 - $50,000
4. $50,001 - $100,000
5. Over $100,001
6. Over $500,000
7. Don't Ask
17. When did your consulting become profitable. Define
profitable as being an accounting period during which
revenues exceeded expenses.
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. 0 - 6 Months
2. 7 - 12 Months
3. 13 - 18 Months
4. 19 - 24 Months
5. Not Yet
6. Don't Ask
18. How many years has computer consulting been your primary
source of income?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. ________ (Type How many)
2. Not the primary source of income
19. Do you think it was a piece of good luck that enabled you to
start and continue consulting full time?
RESPONSE (1 only):
1. Yes
2. No
20. If you would like the results of this survey please enter
either a network or mailing address.