Advisory Board (Exec. Dir.)

Board

Rick Crandall, PhD (University of Michigan)
Executive Director

The first time I was paid as a consultant was in 1969 for some freelance work. But I have not followed a traditional path. When I was in academics at big schools like Michigan and Illinois, teaching business and related courses, consulting was relatively easy. Much later, for 14 years I gave away free consulting for very small businesses through the Community Entrepreneurs Organization which I founded. (It was like SCORE or an SBDC.) Now I'm partially retired and own a book packaging company, which is why I was willing to volunteer to do this!

I've taught courses on how to be a successful consultant for 25 years, largely at local community colleges. I must have taught it 100 times and each time I learn something or make a good contact. I've written or edited 10 business books, mostly on marketing related topics. Marketing seems to be what people need to most to build their practices.

I'll be available to answer some question online in the discussion area, and develop services and products for members.