Over the years I have gained considerable insight into human nature from the processes of product and business development, and manufacturing. This is not a tell all article but a personal collection of thoughts and observations from 43 years of being in and around products, the companies that make them, and the people that design and develop them.

Consultants, besides their primary discipline or service, come in all sorts of sizes, shapes, skills, experience, capabilities, work ethic, and temperament. Some are suits in large global firms, while are others are one-man bands. They range in focus and commitment from "would rather be working as an employee", to "can consult in my spare time/off hours" to others like myself who are into their umpteenth year of running their own consulting business.

"In any trade or craft, competencies allow practitioners who understand the essential disciplines and principles involved to choose the tools (and methods) that will (help them) produce workable results". This is a somewhat paraphrased quote from the book: "Clued In", by Lewis P. Carbone.

I provide services based on my tool kit. A tool kit of 43 years of experiences and recently acquired skills. Working within the technology sectors requires constant learning or a strong desire to jump off to run a small ice cream stand on the beach somewhere. The methods or tools I employ are not technology but I must work with and understand the client's product technology and the market where the product will be delivered.

I chose the word seasoned in the title because to use quality or good in its place is to judge the advice herein and this perhaps would not be as all might judge it. However, I can say, without any hesitation, that any one-man band consultant who has lasted and survived for 25 years must have had successes and generally satisfied the market place. Consultants who say they have 100% happy clients are in denial or live a charmed life.

Seasoned also partially describes the theme of this article. Seasoned can be defined as to make things more interesting. My temperament and experience can lend a certain amount of sage and excitement to projects.

Sage advice is included in this article when I relate some learned lessons and acquaint the reader with some nuisances of consulting. Perhaps this advice will better prepare the reader in selecting and working with consultants.