Paul Amery

In response to a couple of people asking me what the Liddysoft core services are, let me explain here. The form of work can range from a 1-2 day product review & SWOT analysis, strategy workshops to interim CIO/VP  roles. I  do retainer or performance-based consulting for activities such as new channels & alliance creation.  Some services will need to be EU-based, but others (product reviews) can be long distance.

More another time..

So here’s a deal. Anyone who refers me leading to work; whether 1 day consulting workshops or a longer-term piece of work - I will give a 10% referral fee. Friends do for friends, but money makes the world go round and right now it’s all about getting my pipeline flowing.

In addition, I am looking for a “Liddysoft link” in the U.S. and Japan to keep an eye on local opportunities for me. Someone who is connected. In this case, higher referral fees apply.

So dig into your address books and earn some additional $$$ helping me job hunting (shoku sagashi as they say in Japan).

I will explain the ‘big 10′ services from Liddysoft in the next post. In the mean-time, any questions - just shout.

I can officially announce that my Technology Consulting business is live and kicking. Very close to contract signing for client 1, with a couple of slower-burn channel & bizdev contracts in place for other clients.

The entire route to market for ISV’s is both interesting and lucrative. I want to be the guy who is (a) the industry expert (b) the fix-it-guy for key players along the chain (ISV, VC, distributor, channel) (c) the platform & ecosystem builder

Just need the website sorting out now, so I can transfer the consulting info from this site to it. If you know an inexpensive & good web developer wanting a few $$$ or £££ please ping me.

Very happy indeed!

Three good lessons this week…

1. The world moves slower but faster when you work for yourself. You get things done lightning fast, but suppliers don’t when you no longer can say “I work for enormously large corporation.com”. You have got to hustle, and follow up-follow up-follow up to get anything done. Obvious maybe, but it makes me appreciate why even small partners need paying and communicating to quickly. Delay hurts.
2. It’s all about numbers. A good friend advised me to calculate my H1 burn rate (what I need each month to survive) and think about the money pot in terms of retainer work (meaning for example 40 days for Project X over 4 months) and ad-hoc work. Or rocks and pebbles as he calls it
3. Don’t undersell yourself. If you have specialist knowledge and you are good - then reflect that in your pricing. Sure, don’t overprice - you want a client to be comfortable, but at the same time have balls.

Banish the January blues!

Come join us at the upcoming bash for Skype Alumni, 2007 leavers and existing Skype employees. 

(Note: this event is not organised by Skype)

For: Skype Alumni & leavers, existing Skype bods and partners

When: Thursday January 17th, 7pm onwards

Where: Jerusalem Bar. 33-34 Rathbone Place. Oxford St. London W1 1JN. Look for Skype table

I just picked up a couple of blogs which were a lovely start to 2008. I was listed as one of the top 20 VoIP industry influencers of 2007. A great accolade indeed.

• Skype Journal summary article
• VoIP news list of “top 20 VoIP Influencers of 2007“.

To quote VoIP news, the list includes ‘those who caused the most change directly or those who are influencing change in all kinds of ways — including changes that may not be felt in the market for years.’
This achievment reflects the work of a lot more people than just myself. Despite recent hiccups, Skype continues to be a team effort.

Thankyou.