Was it Bob Paddock who wrote on Monday 21 October 2002 22:44:
> > cover small industrial estates personally. Can you repair?
>
> I can repair, but it is not some thing I like doing.
>
> > Program?
>
> In several languages and several processors.
> Any one ever heard of the languages Esterel, MUMPS or Rebol? :=)
> I just got off the phone with one prospect that knew my abilities and
> knowledge of their obscure market (Coal Mining Equipment).
> He told me that they where considering offering me a contract job for some
> work that they have not be able to get to.
> Maybe you fellows (I've never saw a single female post on this list, at
> least that I know of?) can point me in the right direction here.
> Potential Boss Man said "Get your self set up as a contractor" or work
> through a Temp Service.
> Any one know how I go about setting my self up as a leagal contractor?
> I'm clueless other looking in the phone book for a lawyer, don't think any
> of us want to give lawyers more business.
>
> > Design?
>
> Yes, I can do both analog and digital design, as well as PCB layout.
>
> > Be a consultant specialist? Safety expert (protecting them from
> > lawsuits? People love it when you know the things that need to be done to
> > keep them out of court.
>
> I have been studying for my Certified Quality Software Engineer
> certification. Was going to take test in December, with every thing up in
> the air now, not sure about that. Some day maybe I can set my self up as a
> software inspector to see that the embedded code is written safely.
> Following guide lines like ISO9001, UL1998, MISRA, ISO9899, DO-178B and
> more alphabeat soup.
> Any one here ever hear of such a thing, or better need such a service?
That's what I thought, Bob, all you needed was a kick in the butt to get you
going. ;-). (I'm glad I'm out of reach over here saying this :))
1. Register a company/trade name.
2. A phone call to Inland Revenue and your equivelant to thge Dept. of Labour
over here will give you the lowdown. I'll send a quick mail to my brother who
is small time in California and has done all this. I'll forewartd it
privately.
3. Don't do what you don't have to. If someone asks for something, e.g.
public liability insurance, ask how much they want and see if it's viable.
4. Quote high. 75% of small businesses that go out of business in year 1 do
so because they weren't charging enough.
As for what you offer, Try to assemble a complete package around the
electronics of any specialised line you have experience of, and a range of
services to local plant engineers, and research departments. People offering
you jobs will not be able to validate your work, so they need some confidence
in you. Personal knowledge is the best. MEET THEM. Repair gets your foot in
the door - then other work flows. The alternative is professional appearance
- looking smooth. I never managed that for some reason :-/. But I did crack
the local forklift Industry, Lift Industry, and Printing Industry and get the
repairs. Get in next year's yellow pages under "engineers" and "pcb layout"
and rejig your site. Get busy - when you have business, you won't have time
to do these things. I don't think anyone will want you to validate hex code,
but some may want you to sort out the bugs!
--
Regards,
Declan Moriarty
Applied Researches - Ireland's Foremost Electronic Hardware Genius
A Slightly Serious(TM) Company
Without the optimist, the pessimist wouldn't know how happy he isn't
--
Author: Declan Moriarty
INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fat City Network Services -- 858-538-5051 http://www.fatcity.com
San Diego, California -- Mailing list and web hosting services
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