What is a Consultat?

[César Guzmán]

On TI world, it's been said that to be a consultant means to be independent, what is the truth about it?

[Aiping Zhou]

Based on what I understanded in US, it is a Tax/HR term. In general, a company hires employee in 2 forms:
1) Full Time Employee, who will receive a W-2 form at end of year
2) Consultant, also called Independent Contractor, who will receive a 1099 form.

Check more information at IRS or...
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_independentcontractor.htm
http://employeeissues.com/ic_vs_employee.htm

[John de Michele]

Aiping:

You're thinking of a contractor. A consultant can be a contractor, but doesn't have to be. Generally, consultants tend to be brought in for higher-level business issues.

John.

[Leandro Coutinho]

Maybe you'll like this book: Nomadic Developer, The: Surviving and Thriving in the World of Technology Consulting

[Jimmy Clark]

http://www.consultantsconsultant.com.au/

Consulting skills and education for freelancers and internal consultants improve your consultancy be a better consultant.

Enjoy!

[arulk pillai]

The way I see it

-- A consultant makes recommendations and find ways to improve the processes and solve technical & business issues. You can also say that he/she is an expert in a particular field.
-- A consultant can be on a contract basis or full-time basis. In general, they are brought-in on a contract basis as they could be very expensive.
-- Consultants also bring a different perspective to look at things differently.

[pooja jain]

consultants are also people who are mediator b/w you & employer - more spcifically jab consultants.