Set up the first consulting client and job in AxiomBlue
- Create the client and a quote for the process-review deliverable. Use Introduction and line descriptions for client inputs, included workshops, revision boundaries and payment terms.
- Convert accepted work to a job. On Professional, create project tickets for delivery and review; keep appointments and the time needed to prepare the report distinguishable.
- Record delivery hours against the job and review them as cost inputs. Bill the accepted fee; use a Professional variation for an approved additional workshop rather than turning an overrun into extra revenue.
Sell a defined result with a workable boundary
Describe the client, problem, deliverables and the work that falls outside your offer. A diagnostic report, implementation project and ongoing advisory retainer create different commitments. Establish evidence of your capability without inventing client results or guaranteed outcomes.
Check the obligations of the actual profession
Professional services is a broad category. Check any registration, practising, insurance, confidentiality or data-handling requirements for your work rather than treating all consultants alike. The Australian Government industry guide and ABLIS help locate the relevant authorities.
Sources: Australian Government professional services guidance · Find licences by activity and location
Make the business setup match the work you will sell
Use the Australian Government startup guide to work through structure, registrations, tax and insurance with the advisers you need. Check licences by activity and location through ABLIS and the relevant regulator. A business registration does not itself authorise regulated trade work.
Sources: Australian Government business startup guide · Find licences by activity and location
Budget the hours that will not be billable
Allow for sales conversations, proposals, administration and gaps between engagements as well as delivery. Decide how you will price discovery, workshops, analysis and revisions. Use a dated cash plan for business costs and expected receipts; a signed proposal is not money collected.
Agree the client’s part in getting the work finished
Name the person who approves the work, the information you need and the dates for decisions. Define what counts as completion and how extra revisions are agreed. Consider confidentiality and intellectual-property terms with appropriate advice. Keep assumptions visible in the accepted proposal.
Test an engagement with an extra request
Illustrative case: a fixed-fee process review includes two workshops and a report. The client requests a third workshop. Record the scope and fee change and approval, update delivery dates, then review the billing basis. AxiomBlue can connect the quote, jobs and time; Professional adds project planning and variations. It does not replace specialist professional practice systems.
Common questions
Questions about this process
Can every consultant use the same setup checklist?
The commercial steps are useful across scoped services, but registrations, insurance and professional duties depend on the work. Check the requirements for your profession and location.
Put it to work
Your practical checklist
- Define the client problem and deliverables.
- Check profession-specific requirements.
- Budget sales, administration and delivery capacity.
- Agree client inputs, revision limits and acceptance.
- Test one approved scope change through billing.
See the records in Axiom Blue
Try the workflow with a familiar job.
Features and usage limits vary by plan. Review the tools relevant to your process before choosing your setup.