The Making of a Para-Academic

i can't stand the taste of leftover wine

Melanie

Seven Specifics

I

Be Time Sensitive

For example, always convert salary into billable hours. Also remember a placement agency bills you at higher than you are paid. Consider fees for speaking engagements.

Plan for contingencies. Deliver on or before due dates. Always distinguish between efficacy and efficiency.

Understand work flows. Set interaction accordingly.

II

Set Rates

Rush: place a premium on speed.

Minimum: no job too little if the payment is enough

Have a comparator or two to offer.
Don't be afraid of referring a client to the competiton.
Don't forget one can drop a client.

III

Propose
&
cold sell

Educate.

Compile directories.

Offer asynchronous forums.

Point.

IV

Give Away

Publish findings. Transfer the learnings from

• planning
• vetting
• implementing
• and teaching the how-to of each of these

V

Add Value

Identify needs not being served.
Problem solve.
Innovate.
Constantly evaluate.
Know when to proffer advice.

Delight, teach and move.

VI

Manage

Understand overhead or admin costs.
Find out what is tax deductible.
Practice good booking keeping.
Set up invoicing schedules.
Establish late payment fees.
Insist on partial prepayment for jobs priced over a certain limit.

VI

Learn to say "NO"

Be careful with "never".

Regroup 1,2,6 and Name

Regroup 3,4,5 and Name

Weight Each Regrouping for Service, Research & Teaching

Weight Each of the Seven for Service, Research & Teaching

Spread the Mantra

Juggle the Initials

T

SRT TRS

RST TSR

T

what do you do when the people go home
and what do you do when the show is all done
i know what i'll do in the alone of my time
but what will i do with the leftover wine
[...]
Melanie Safka
Kama Rippa/Ameline Music ASCAP
BDS/5060/stereo copyright 1970

Job, Career & Earning a Living

copyright 1997 François Lachance
lachance@chass.utoronto.ca

To the best of my knowledge, the expression "Renegade Academy" was coined by Julia Creet.