I am currently "in between jobs" and to be honest it is getting me down. One idea that I've had on and off for years is selling my knowledge - ie a sort of consultancy.

My background is in Electronic Engineering - particularly Communications, which I am a graduate in. I've had experience with a number of companies, mainly testing and setting up things, and hopefully my technical background shows in my posts on ARRSE and other sites. Additionally I have been involved with the RN for nearly two decades - initially attempting to join as a WE Officer and more recently as a Reservist.

So my thinking goes like this:

Is there a market for advising people (in the media elsewhere) about the basic technical issues of things? For example, I used to shake my head when I saw TV programmes that didn't quite get - things like programmes regarding the Falklands was and discussing the loss of HMS SHEFFIELD and discussing the fact that her SCOT terminal used the same frequency band as "she used to detect Exocet radar" not quite getting it that the Exocet radar used the same frequencies as SCOT, therefore SCOT use blinded her ESM sensors.

Likewise - is there a market for giving advice to businesses on basic technical issues, for example in supporting the selection of new equipment or in making decisions? I can write briefing papers and reports for the non technical, and explain things in plain language. I might also be able to offer quick and nasty demonstrators or prototypes - I am particularly interested in the application to technology to things like maritime force protection...or security.

Any ideas? I wouldn't know where or how to start - so maybe someone has ideas.....

Originally Posted by Yokel

Any ideas? I wouldn't know where or how to start - so maybe someone has ideas.....

Any business is about supply meeting a demand, and we find the demand through Market Research.

Approach businesses in the sector that your interested in, and ask them what support they need and would be prepared to pay for. Let their demand shape your business!

x

find a reserve unit and get some time in, cheer you up no end.

Already a Reservist...

In terms of research, what firms are sourcing the equipment about which you are a SME (subject matter expert)?

How do they go about procuring such gear?

Who's the geezer who signs off the deal?

What's his phone number?

You mention .. " maritime force protection...or security " so why not get in contact with those who deal with such matters and see what you can transfer across in an advisory style role .... best of luck .

Well I recently had a "what am I good at?" type brain storm and came up with:

Finding information
Learning how things work
Making things work better and making broken things work
Learning new things
Organising information into a logical order and setting it out in writing
Helping people with problems
Expressing ideas in an ordered way
Explaining technical issues in plain English
Using and analysing numerical information - charts/graphs etc
Solving technical problems
Solving other problems with lateral thinking and things like that
Using keyboard/IT skills to produce documents that look good and make sense
Working with others
Putting things together or taking them apart
Persuading people

So my idea sort of runs like this:

Producing briefing papers and reports on technical issues for non technical management typs and non technical companies (or non electronic anyway), possibly media types
Decision making support - qauntitive analysis of alternatives, application of SWOT, PEST, and other methods
Advising on component/system selection and evaluation, particularly in terms of "what if?" and "so what?" - if system x is chosen over system y, what are the implications? Cost? Maintenance? Upgradibility? Compatibility? What support does it need (power supplies, water, etc)
Spreadsheets/Databases

The most complex bit - and one only to be undertaken if everything else is going wll, is building one offs, concept demonstrators, and prototypes. Obviously this would reqiure some investment in equipment.

I think that my ideas do have merit.

Originally Posted by Yokel

.... Is there a market for advising people (in the media elsewhere) about the basic technical issues of things? For example, I used to shake my head when I saw TV programmes that didn't quite get - things like programmes regarding the Falklands was and discussing the loss of HMS SHEFFIELD and discussing the fact that her SCOT terminal used the same frequency band as "she used to detect Exocet radar" not quite getting it that the Exocet radar used the same frequencies as SCOT, therefore SCOT use blinded her ESM sensors...

I think that the media often don't like it when someone tries to ruin their arguments with facts. If they want to make a point, they will make it, regardless of the truth of the situation.

Originally Posted by Yokel

Well I recently had a "what am I good at?" type brain storm and came up with:

Finding information
Learning how things work
Making things work better and making broken things work
Learning new things
Organising information into a logical order and setting it out in writing
Helping people with problems
Expressing ideas in an ordered way
Explaining technical issues in plain English
Using and analysing numerical information - charts/graphs etc
Solving technical problems
Solving other problems with lateral thinking and things like that
Using keyboard/IT skills to produce documents that look good and make sense
Working with others
Putting things together or taking them apart
Persuading people

"Learning how things work" is very similar to "Learning new things"

"Making things work better and making broken things work" is synonymous with "Putting things together or taking them apart"

"Helping people with problems" is a very vague statement, and is probably covered by "Solving technical problems" and "Solving other problems with lateral thinking and things like that", both of which are similar to the 'things' statements above.

"Organising information into a logical order and setting it out in writing" is not unlike "Expressing ideas in an ordered way", "Explaining technical issues in plain English", "Using keyboard/IT skills to produce documents that look good and make sense", and "Using and analysing numerical information - charts/graphs etc" (and I would perhaps question this, in view of the way your list was compiled).

I've cut and pasted the second list....

So, that's the "Finding information" and "Persuading people" boxes ticked ;)