Menu
Log in

IEEE Boston 

consultants network

By using this website you agree to the CNET privacy policy: cnet_privacy_policy.pdf

Events

Scroll down to view past events for which there is an associated archived presentation file.  To view the presentation file, click on the event title, then click the presentation link at the top of the event description.

Upcoming events

    • 08 Oct 2024
    • 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Zoom Online Meeting
    Register

    Topic:    7 Mindsets To Grow Your Consulting Business

                  (Part of How to be a great consultant series)

    Date:     October 8, 2024

    Location: Zoom Online Meeting


    Networking from 6:30PM - 7 PM.

    Meeting from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, includes Q&A.


    Open to the public.

    Your registration confirmation email contains the zoom link - Please read the email confirmation completely.

    Event Description:

    The 7 Mindsets To Grow Your Consulting Business:

    Join us for a webinar designed exclusively for independent consultants ready to grow their consulting business. In this transformative session, you'll uncover the power of seven pivotal mindsets that are the cornerstone of every thriving solo consulting business.


    You’ll walk away with:

    -Understanding the 7 mindsets that are key to growing a sustainable, predictable consulting practice

    -Specific examples to implement the 7 mindsets in your business

    -The mindset mistakes to avoid


    This interactive experience promises to not only inspire but equip you with the knowledge to apply these mindsets for tangible results. Don't miss this opportunity to reshape your business owner mindset.  Set yourself up to achieve your goals and beyond.


    Biography:

    Melisa Liberman is a consulting coach.

    Grow Your Independent Consulting Business podcast | Coach for Independent Consultants | Bestselling Author: Grow Your Consulting Business: The 14-Step Roadmap to Make Your Independent Consulting Goals a Reality.


    https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman/

    https://www.melisaliberman.com/coaching-for-consultants/

    • 22 Oct 2024
    • 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Topic:  Consultants Series Part 1

    Consulting 101 - Beginning Consulting - How to Become a Consultant

    Consultant:  Mark Fitzgerald

    Location: Zoom


    Meeting starts at 7:00 PM.


    Open to the public.  Networking from 6:30PM - 7 PM. 

    Your registration confirmation email contains the zoom link - Please read the email confirmation completely.

    Event Description:

    Consultant Mark Fitzgerald will discuss how to get started in the consulting business.


    Major Topics:

    1. Getting started in the consulting business
    2. Working in your one shop business or working for consulting firms / headhunters
    3. Working with Agencies (headhunters) - Complications involved
    4. Contracts 101 Potential Liability
    5. Getting incorporated - Protecting your assets
    6. Or doing W2 work. Do you want to work for yourself or work for the headhunter?
    7. State of Mass Incorporation
    8. Insurance and liability - Protecting yourself and your business
    9. How to present yourself to clients
    10. Networking, networking, networking!

    We also welcome your questions.


    This talk covers information that engineers may find useful in a career choice of whether to become a consultant and run a consulting business.


    Note: None of the consultants in this series is a lawyer or accountant. Please consult with professionals before using this information. 



    Speaker Biography:

    Mark Fitzgerald:


    Mark Fitzgerald has been a consultant since 1993. Mark established Silver Bullet Engineering, Inc. providing electronics design in both hardware and software, and project management / Agile ScrumMaster, specializing in medical devices (IEC-62304), safety standard designs (IEC-61508).  Networking and Control Systems (PLCs) are also a specialty. Mark has several patents and has published several technical publications. He is an IEEE senior member and CNET board member as Treasurer and Webmaster.

    Website: https://www.silverbulletengineeringinc.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-a-fitzgerald/


    • 19 Nov 2024
    • 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Topic:  Consultants Series Part 2

    Consulting 201 - Advanced Consulting - Running a Consulting Business

    Consultant:  Larry Nelson, Sr

    Location: Zoom


    Meeting starts at 7:00 PM.


    Open to the public.  Networking from 6:30PM - 7 PM.

    Your registration confirmation email contains the zoom link - Please read the email confirmation completely.

    If you operate a consulting business you will not want to miss this meeting. It is advanced consulting topics at it's best!


    Event Description:

    Having been a technology consultant for over 40 years Larry Nelson Sr has seen many shifts in the business climate. Hopefully you have all seen the first in this series of presentations on what it takes to get started in consulting. This session is a more advanced look at what you can and should do to grow your business and keep it healthy. Larry will show how he has made his consulting business stronger over the years, and how he modified his offerings to keep things moving forward, and protect cash flow during good times and bad.

    The 5 major topic categories covered are:

    1. General Business Practices including some Truths and Lies
    2. Going it alone - The one person shop.
    3. Partnerships and associations. How to do more while keeping control and not having to do it all yourself.

    4. Working with Agencies. The Good, Bad, and Ugly.

    5. Diversification of your business. Adding services to keep a steady cash flow.

    We also welcome your questions.

    Note: None of the consultants in this series is a lawyer or accountant. Please consult with professionals before using this information. 

     

    Speaker Biography:


    Larry has had his own consulting company (Nelson Research) which he had operated since 1980.  Larry has published technical articles and created technical training programs for universities as well as Industry. He has been granted several Patents and is a licensed PE in the state of Massachusetts. He has served as an Expert Witness in several litigations and has advised insurance companies on several cases to determine root cause of failure. He is a Diplomat of Forensic Engineering (DFE) with NAFE. He is a Platinum level consultant with Microchip Corporation and has a broad technical background across many industries.
    He is also listed with Parallax and Digikey as a consultant. He has been a long standing member of the Boston CNET and of AICN as well as a founder of the Worcester County Section Consultant Network. He currently serves as a Director on the board of the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers.

    http://www.Mchipguru.com
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-nelson-sr-p-e-dfe-71ab81


    • 03 Dec 2024
    • 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Topic:  Consultants Series Part 3

    Consulting 301 - FDA Medical Device Regulatory Process - How a consultant helps your company manage and adhere to FDA guidance

    Consultant:  David Connor

    Location: Zoom


    Meeting starts at 7:00 PM.


    Open to the public.  Networking from 6:30PM - 7 PM. 

    Your registration confirmation email contains the zoom link - Please read the email confirmation completely.

    Event Description:

    The FDA medical device regulatory process will be discussed. You do not have to be familiar with the FDA regulatory process to get benefit from this meeting. This is an overview of the regulatory process and how a consultant will add value, whether you need to implement a regulatory process or have an existing process.  Come find out more about the process and where consultants have helped identify mistakes that often occur in this complicated process.


    No Prior Knowledge Needed - You do not need to know anything about the regulatory process in order to understand this talk. You do not need to be a consultant. Anyone that wants to gain knowledge about this process should come.


    Major Topics Include:

    1. What is the FDA regulatory process

    -An explanation of the Quality System Regulations (QSR)

    2. Understanding Medical Device Risk:

    -Class I, II, and II medical devices

    -Application of the QSR depends on product risk

    3. Major elements of the QSR

    -A matrix showing the six major elements of the QSR

    4. The 510(k) Premarket Notification:

    -Used by the FDA to determine whether a medical device is substantially equivalent to a previously approved device.

    5. Common Medical Device Processes Related to Engineering

    -ISO 9001 design process

    -FMEA, FMEDA, FMEPA: Failure mode analysis as part of the risk analysis process

    -Design History File (DHF)

    -Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA)

    -IEC 62304 Medical Device Software -Software life cycle processes

    6. When to Implement a QSR

    -Before starting the design process to mitigate risk, adhere to regulatory compliance standards, and ensure efficient development

    7. QSR Implementation Strategies

    -The system needs to be compliant with FDA rules

    8. Areas for Opportunity for CNET Consultants

    -Setup of purchased QSR documentation to meet specific operating process of the customer, particularly in the area of design process.

    -Direct electrical, mechanical, optical consulting for elements of the device (with understanding of the product risk)

    - Mistakes that often occur in the regulatory process


    Note: None of the consultants in this series is a lawyer or accountant. Please consult with professionals in this fields. 



    Speaker Biography:


    David Connor is a seasoned IEEE product consultant with over three decades experience in product development for domestic and international markets. As president of Striper Solutions LLC, he specializes in product regulatory compliance, guiding businesses through the complexities of regulatory standards and providing solutions for critical EMC and safety product issues.

    • 07 Jan 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Hotel Meeting Room and Zoom

    Topic:  Consultants Series Part 4

    Consultants Panel Discussion - Covers the entire consulting 3 part series

    Consultant:  Mark Fitzgerald, Larry Nelson Sr, and David Connor

    Location: Hotel Meeting Room and Zoom


    Registration is currently disabled until we set a firm date for this event.


    Meeting starts at 7:00 PM.


    Open to the public. CNET Members and MDG (Medical Device Group Boston) Board Members Free. Non members $10 either on-site or Zoom. Networking and food from 6:00PM - 7 PM.

    Food And Drink Provided: Pizza, Salad, Beverages, Snacks.

    Your registration confirmation email contains the zoom link - Please read the email confirmation completely.

    Event Description:

    Mark, Larry, and David will give presentations summarizing the consultants series parts 1 to 3 from beginning consulting, to advanced consulting to the FDA medical device regulatory process.  Each consultant will give feedback from their own perspective on all topics covered, making this a highly interactive presentation getting the prospective of each consultant on all aspects of consulting.


    We also welcome your questions.


    This talk covers information that engineers will find useful in a career choice of whether to become a consultant and run a consulting business or if you are already consulting giving you more information to help run your consulting business.


    Note: None of the consultants in this series is a lawyer or accountant. Please consult with professions before using any information provided. 



    Speaker Biographies:

    Mark Fitzgerald


    Mark Fitzgerald has been a consultant since 1993. Mark established Silver Bullet Engineering, Inc. providing electronics design in both hardware and software, and project management / Agile ScrumMaster, specializing in medical devices (IEC-62304), safety standard designs (IEC-61508).  Networking and Control Systems (PLCs) are also a specialty. Mark has several patents and has published several technical publications. He is an IEEE senior member and CNET board member as Treasurer and Webmaster.

    Website: https://www.silverbulletengineeringinc.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-a-fitzgerald/

    Larry Nelson Sr


    Larry has had his own consulting company (Nelson Research) which he had operated since 1980.  Larry has published technical articles and created technical training programs for universities as well as Industry. He has been granted several Patents and is a licensed PE in the state of Massachusetts. He has served as an Expert Witness in several litigations and has advised insurance companies on several cases to determine root cause of failure. He is a Diplomat of Forensic Engineering (DFE) with NAFE. He is a Platinum level consultant with Microchip Corporation and has a broad technical background across many industries.
    He is also listed with Parallax and Digikey as a consultant. He has been a long standing member of the Boston CNET and of AICN as well as a founder of the Worcester County Section Consultant Network. He currently serves as a Director on the board of the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers.

    http://www.Mchipguru.com
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-nelson-sr-p-e-dfe-71ab81


    David Connor


    David Connor is a seasoned IEEE product consultant with over three decades experience in product development for domestic and international markets. As president of Striper Solutions LLC, he specializes in product regulatory compliance, guiding businesses through the complexities of regulatory standards and providing solutions for critical EMC and safety product issues.

    https://www.striperllc.com/

    • 04 Feb 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 8:15 PM
    • TBD - and Zoom

    Topic:  Open Forum Discussion

    OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

    Each member presenter gets to present or discuss a topic for up to 6 minutes. The topic is up to the presenter. No slides needed, just pick a topic to present or discuss. If you want to use slides, that is your option.  Slides are due 1 day prior to the meeting via email.

    Presenters: CNET Members only are allowed to present at this meeting.  But everyone that attends gets to participate in the discussion and ask questions.


    Topics can be fun, but they also must be clean.


    Non-members are allowed to participate in the discussion and ask questions.


    Consultant/Member presenter should entertain all the other people at the meeting.  Please enjoy yourself.  These discussions may be informal.


    The Format: 

    Think fun and interactive...    Zoom Whiteboard will be used. Topics will be put on the whiteboard at the start of the meeting.  Members then vote on each topic (selection is done quickly at the start of the meeting).  The topics with the most votes get priority for discussion. Everyone gets to participate in the discussion or ask questions. Given a 60 minute meeting, that means maybe 9 topics will get discussed.  At the end of 6 minutes we vote if the topic should be given one or two more minutes more discussion.  And that's part of the fun, because the topics with less votes may never get discussed.

    Date: November TBD, 2023


    Minimum Quorum Requirements: 6 members registered 1 week prior to meeting (not including Board of Directors or Consultants Panel Speakers)


    Location: Hybrid - Onsite TBD and Zoom


    Light snacks and refreshments provided


    Meeting starts at 7:00 PM.


    Open to the public.  Networking from 6:30PM - 7 PM. 

    Your registration confirmation email contains the zoom link - Please read the email confirmation completely.


    This talk may cover information that engineers find useful in a career choice of whether to become a consultant and how to run a consulting business,. You will have fun.

Past events

16 Sep 2024 CNET Meeting: September 2024 Board of Directors (Members only)
17 Jun 2024 CNET Meeting: June 2024 Board of Directors (Members only)
06 May 2024 CNET Meeting: May 2024 Board of Directors (Members only)
13 Mar 2024 CNET Meeting: March 2024 Board of Directors (Members only)
11 Jan 2024 CNET Meeting: January Board of Directors Live or Zoom (Members only)
05 Dec 2023 CNET Family and Friends Holiday Party / Larry Rachman Retirement Party - Official Date Dec 5, 2023
01 Dec 2023 Student Membership Drive 88% off normal membership rate
13 Nov 2023 CNET Meeting: AI In the Workplace - New date
31 Oct 2023 CNET Marketing Intern - Work for Hire
02 Oct 2023 CNET Meeting: How Consultants Can Benefit from Working with Professional Staffing Agencies
02 Oct 2023 CNET Meeting: Board of Directors (Members only)
07 Aug 2023 Membership Drive - 50% off membership from July to September
02 Aug 2023 Cheap Rock Concert Night: Santana $30
28 Jul 2023 Non-CNET Event: FREE - Folk Festival - Lowell Summer Music Series
24 Jul 2023 CNET Meeting: Effective Running of a POC (Proof Of Concept) - Vendor and Consultant Views
22 Jul 2023 Non-CNET Event: FREE - New England Film Orchestra - Lowell Summer Music Series
19 Jul 2023 Non-CNET Event: Ticketmaster All-In No Ripoff Fees
13 Jul 2023 Boston Harbor Cruise
12 Jul 2023 CNET Meeting: Board of Directors Live or Zoom (Members only)
12 Jul 2023 Non-CNET Event: Free Fun for Kids - Lowell Summer Music Series
01 May 2023 CNET Meeting: Sales/Marketing from the Vendor's Point of View
24 Apr 2023 CNET Meeting: (New Date) Board of Directors (Members only)
27 Mar 2023 CNET Meeting: Running a Consulting Business and How to Become a Consultant
20 Feb 2023 CNET February Meeting: Effective Acquisition of Software and Related Services
01 Dec 2022 Boston CNET Annual Holiday Event
02 Nov 2022 Zoom Link CNET November 2022 Board Of Directors Meeting
02 Nov 2022 CNET November 2022 Board Of Directors Meeting
20 Jul 2022 CNET July Meeting: Hydrogen Energy Storage
14 Jul 2022 Boston Harbor Sunset Networking Cruise
15 Jun 2022 Boston Consultants Network June Meeting Onsite: Welcome New and Current Members - Open to Engineering Professionals
23 Mar 2022 CNET March Meeting: Real Time Embedded Systems Debugging
16 Feb 2022 CNET February Meeting: Global Supply Chains in Chaos – What To Do Now
10 Dec 2021 CNET Annual Holiday Banquet - Open to CNET Members in Good Standing
25 Oct 2021 CNET Board of Directors Meeting - Open to CNET Members in Good Standing
20 Jul 2021 Free: Practical Considerations on Technical Leadership
15 Jun 2021 Boston Made: From Revolution to Robotics, Innovations that ...
25 May 2021 Lead Generation: Why and How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Leads
23 Mar 2021 March Meeting - How to Market Your Business
19 May 2020 May Meeting - Free - Everything you wanted to know about consulting
11 Feb 2020 Tax Strategies
19 Nov 2019 CNET election
01 Oct 2019 How to Find, Select, and Build Your Co-Founding Team - Co-Sponsored by ENET
24 Sep 2019 People Skills and Strategies for Engineers
23 Apr 2019 Everything You Wanted To Know About Consulting But Were Afraid To Ask
26 Feb 2019 Tools to Publish What You Write
15 Jan 2019 From Life Science/Tech Ideas to Profits - Co-Sponsored by ENET
27 Nov 2018 CNET election
23 Oct 2018 Decision Modeling for Success!
25 Sep 2018 RTFM: Publish for yourself and your clients
26 Jun 2018 Messaging is a Verb: How to Speak Artfully
22 May 2018 Building Your Business Through Referrals
24 Apr 2018 Everything You Wanted To Know About Consulting But Were Afraid To Ask
27 Mar 2018 Building a Successful Consulting Practice: What Does Success Mean to You?
27 Feb 2018 Consultant Techology Cornucopia
23 Jan 2018 Tax Strategies
02 Jan 2018 Product Development - Life Science & Tech Startups
28 Nov 2017 Election of Officers for 2018
24 Oct 2017 Coriandolo Radio: An open-source protocol for “drive-by” sensor-logger data collection
26 Sep 2017 The Professional Engineer License - Why You Should Want It
27 Jun 2017 Collection Strategies for Professionals
23 May 2017 Engage with Clients Emotionally to Gain New and Follow-on Work
25 Apr 2017 Everything You Wanted To Know About Consulting But Were Afraid To Ask
28 Mar 2017 How Changing Your Belief System Allows New Solutions to Enter Your Consciousness
28 Feb 2017 Is Networking & Speaking Bringing You Lots of New Business? If Not, Stop Leaving $$$ on the Table!
24 Jan 2017 Tax reporting for 2016
03 Jan 2017 Product Development in the Life Science & Hight Tech Startups
14 Nov 2016 Election of Officers for 2017
25 Oct 2016 Seven Tips for Technical Presenters by Norman Daoust
27 Sep 2016 Using Real-Time Spectral Analysis to Visualize, Measure, and Troubleshoot EMI Signals in a Completely Different Way
14 Jul 2016 14th Annual Sunset Cruise and Networking Evening on Boston Harbor
22 Jun 2016 Using Empathy for Enhancing Client Relationships and Motivating New Ones
25 May 2016 Business Networking for Engineers Who Kind of Hate Networking
27 Apr 2016 Everything You Wanted To Know About Consulting But Were Afraid To ask
23 Mar 2016 Don't Tell Your Customers to Read the F'ing Manual
24 Feb 2016 The Impact of Thermal Management in Electronics Design from Wearable Electronics, IoT to Data Centers
27 Jan 2016 Tax Information and Pitfalls for 2015 Reporting - Brad Capland
05 Jan 2016 Product Development in Life Science and High Tech Startups
23 Nov 2015 Engineering Consultants in the Medical Device Field
26 Oct 2015 How to Achieve Peak Performance in your Consulting Practice
28 Sep 2015 Leadership for Consultants
22 Jun 2015 June Meeting
18 May 2015 Creative Avoidance: Why We Spend Time Doing Other Things Instead of Actively Growing Our Business
27 Apr 2015 Consultants Panel
23 Mar 2015 How You Surrendered Your Power to Your Prospects - and How You Can Stop Doing It
23 Feb 2015 Tax Information and Tax Pits for 2014
26 Jan 2015 Networking...For People Who Kind of Hate Networking
06 Jan 2015 Joint with ENET - Bootstrapping a Lean Start Up
17 Nov 2014 Protecting Your IP in a Client-Centered Scenario
27 Oct 2014 Building and Maintaining a Successful Consulting Career
22 Sep 2014 September Meeting
25 Jun 2014 Branding a Consulting Practice
28 May 2014 The Networking Pyramid
23 Apr 2014 CNET Panel Discussion
26 Mar 2014 Taxes and Reporting for Consultants
26 Feb 2014 Contract Issues for Consultants and Clients
22 Jan 2014 Whose Reality Is it? Seeing Ourselves As Others See Us
07 Jan 2014 Strategic Partnering, Licensing and IP Strategies - Co-sponsored by ENET
20 Nov 2013 Sales Skills for Consultants
23 Oct 2013 The Bilingual Advantage: Improving Performance By Speaking Manager And Consulting Engineer
25 Sep 2013 8 Steps to Obtaining Speaking Engagements for Business Development, Personal Branding, and Thought Leadership
26 Jun 2013 Negotiating: Your Nine Tips for Success
22 May 2013 Presentation Skills - Learn to Perfect your Marketing Pitch
24 Apr 2013 Panel Discussion - Everything you wanted to know about consulting but were afraid to ask.
27 Mar 2013 Tax and Financial Planning for Growing Consultancies
27 Feb 2013 An Insider's Guide to Building a Successful Consulting Practice
23 Jan 2013 Six Things You Should Know BEFORE Becoming a Technical Consultant
04 Dec 2012 Legal and Patent Strategies for Entrepreneurs
14 Nov 2012 3D Printing: How It May Impact You
24 Oct 2012 “Thought Leadership: The Art of Separating Yourself from the Rest of the Pack”
09 Oct 2012 “Informal Networking Dinner”
27 Sep 2012 “Social Media for Consultants”
28 Jun 2012 “Working with Contract Agencies”
24 May 2012 Consultants - How to make sure you get paid for your work
26 Apr 2012 Consultant Panel Discussion Everything you always wanted to know about consulting but were afraid to ask.
22 Mar 2012 Financial Guidance for Consultants
23 Feb 2012 Workshop: Polishing your professional profile
26 Jan 2012 Being an Expert at Consulting, Not Just in Your Field
03 Jan 2012 Creating a Technology Services Company
01 Dec 2011 Software Architects? We Don’t Need No Stinkin Architects!
27 Oct 2011 Choosing an RF Consultant for Your Wireless Widget Project
22 Sep 2011 Agile past, present and future