Clem Harrod - Career Projection 101: An Independent Contractors Guide to a Successful Business and Balanced Life

Copyright 2020 by Clement Linwood Philip Harrod

A ll rights reserved . No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, via this website: www.clemcou.com| @clemcoav

Ordering Information: Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by schools, corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at http://www.clemcou.com . Orders by U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers. Please contact: CLEMCO.U at http://www.clemcou.com .

Printed in the United States of America

This publication is designed to provide competent and reliable information regarding the subject matter covered. However, it is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, financial, or other professional advice. Laws and practices often vary from state to state and if legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any liability incurred from the use or application of the contents of this book.

Events, locales and conversations have been recreated from the author's best memories of them. In some instances, to maintain the anonymity of individuals mentioned in this publication, the author has changed names, places, identifying characteristics and details such as physical properties, occupations and places of residence.

First Printing: 2020

ISBN: 978-1-7347452-9-0

Library of Congress Case Number: 1-8585751171

Cover design by CCS Marketing

Cover grid by Scott Flanagan

Smooth Projectionist photograph by Bruce Couch

Smooth Projectionist logo by James Leslie

Author back cover headshot photograph by Trevor Collinson

Author About the Author photograph by Donovan Muir

Interior photographs by Lynnette Wisk, Chris Chiili Horton, Gary Bassing, Kelly Foxen, Toriano Evans, Greg Wilson, and Reginald Duncan

Storyboard illustrations by MasterCharlie (http://www.fiverr.com)

Interior formatting by Crystal Crawford

To the youths who march onward and upward toward the light, this volume is respectively dedicated.

Charles H. Wesley

For generational knowledge and understanding is one of the most powerful things in the world. However, the lack thereof is one of the deadliest.

Clem Harrod

To an industry who understood me when I felt misunderstood, valued me when I felt devalued, and accepted me when I felt unacceptable.

You saw me before I saw myself, and I always felt appreciated when I was with you. You helped me find my way out of poverty and discover a life I never dreamed I could have. You were my first love, and I will forever be grateful.

Thank you!

Foreword

H aving worked in the corporate meeting world for nearly forty years as a Professional Technical Director, I have had the great good fortune to meet some very impressive people whose approach to work and life has colored our industry profoundly. In this book, Clem Harrod solidifies his position at the top of that list. This step-by-step guide to building a successful career by putting the all-important intangible skills first makes this book a must-read for anyone considering a career in corporate theatre.

By focusing less on the tangible skills related to actually creating perfect pictures on screen using projectors, Clem focuses instead on what it takes to find work, build nurturing relationships and creating your personal brand. These bedrock concepts are seldom, if ever, taught in our university classes, making this book indispensable for professionals at every level of our industry. Nearly everyone I run into these days has made a transition from one type of employment model to another. Employee to freelance, freelance to small company, and everything in between. A common thread in these transitions is that everyone needs help with the day-to-day issues of insurance, accounting, compliance and how to find the right people to guide us effectively. In Career Projection 101 , Clem provides a no-nonsense road map to addressing these issues and provides the resources to get it done.

Perhaps the most engaging theme in this book is how important it is to use the skills and experience we have accumulated to help lift the next generation of professionals to reach their best lives, both personally and professionally. In this regard, Clem is the master, providing countless examples of how he has used every experience to make himself the best husband, father and event professional he can be. These examples can be put to work immediately in our lives and finding so many in one book is Clems gift to us.

When Clem first shared this book with me, I read it immediately and was actually surprised at how much information was pertinent to my personal situation. I have reread this book several times and am now working with the business accountant that CLEMCO has used for years. I have a deep respect for Clem and what he brings to the issue of personal ethics. Career Projection 101 gives us all important insight into how we create our professional legacy through hard work and dedication to becoming the best version of our personal selves. Congratulations to all of you that have added this important book to your personal libraries.

Tom Bollard

Husband, Father, Technical Director (in that order...)

Live Event Production/Corporate Theater

Introduction

T he purpose of this book is to help Independent Contractors, Freelancers, and Small Business Owners better manage their time, money, and relationships by answering the questions,

How do I...

• Get Started
• Get Noticed
• Find a Specialty

all the way to:

• Create a Budget
• Find an Accountant
• Get Health Insurance

and ultimately:

• How Do I Retire

Written in an act formatAct I: The Walk-In, Act II: The Show, and Act III: The Walk-Out Career Projection 101 will become a prerequisite for anyone starting a career and life in the Live Event Production Industry.