--- title: 7 Ways to Influence SAP Independent Consultant Rates [Newsletter] description: Discover how SAP Independent Consultant Rates are entirely in your hands. Use our tips and techniques to uncover the maximum rate for your SAP skills image: https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-391412452-png/images/budget_squeeze_400_clr_10360.png --- ![](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-391412452-png/images/budget_squeeze_400_clr_10360.png) # 7 Ways to Influence SAP Independent Consultant Rates [Newsletter] Table of Contents ## Independent [Consultant Rates](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/fully-loaded-cost-calculator)   You may have heard a phrase like this before “my client has a tight budget”, or we are seeing a lot of downward pressure on [consulting rates](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-determine-your-fully-loaded-cost-rate) out there.  Or perhaps you are a very senior [SAP Freelance consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-consulting-FI-CO-MM-SD-PP-PLM-BW-Vora-HR-CRM-SCM-APO-EHS-GRC-modules) and have traditionally been able to get very high rates, but have not been willing to ‘come down’ to get off the bench.   ![SAP Consulting Rates](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/file-391412452-png/images/budget_squeeze_400_clr_10360.png)**Are Independent Consultant Rates Really Tight?**   ## Initial Negotiation Positions Don’t feel like you’re alone.  We’ve all been there.  Want to know a little secret.  Those are all just negotiation tactics or initial negotiation positions.  It can be [very frustrating](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/what-do-sap-consultancies-do) to break into SAP, or to have to take a lower rate or to try to get a [higher rate](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/local-seo-improvement-site-optimization-store-traffic-improvement).  ## [SAP Consulting](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-secret-tips-to-choosing-sap-consulting-companies) Rates By Module   I get asked, by a lot of different [consultants](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/get-sap-consulting-support-now), including [SAP freelance consultants](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-consulting-fi-co-mm-sd-pp-plm-bw-vora-hr-crm-scm-apo-ehs-grc-modules), what [SAP module](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/top-10-strategies-for-maximizing-roi-with-sap-consulting-services) to get into or what sort of rate they can get.   As it happens, I also get asked by a lot of customers what they should pay for a [SAP Consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/introducing-sap-bw-consulting-business-intelligence-that-works).  I also attend a lot of [SAP conferences and training](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/12-easy-steps-to-being-a-better-sap-consultant) and have a little background in SAP (23 years).  Thinking through all the above, what jumps out is the following:   - Oftentimes, **SAP is ahead of the market**, meaning they are [selling a product](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/knowing-what-you-sell-the-key-to-dominating-your-market) that may not have a wide customer base, but does round out the [product suite](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubspot-growth-platform-crm-marketing-hub-service-hub-sales-hub) in some small way.  [Hedge management](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-to-translate-sap-modules-into-business-process-capabilities) comes to mind.  Often times, a new product is filling a small whitespace in a small but [highly attractive industry](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/5-kpi-design-best-practice-guidelines). - Many of the core [SAP functional modules](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/request-sap-functional-consulting-support) that are now called commoditized are **not really commoditized.**  This means, for example, that the finance module, definitely one of the core modules, still requires much more than simple commodity SAP FICO skillsets, i.e., [IFRS changes](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-fico-consulting).  This holds true across all the traditional core modules, be they MM, SD, or HR.  ## Maximize Your Consulting Rates   If you take those two facts and mix them, you find there are 7 ways to maximize your rate as an independent consultant.   1. Your first strategy, is, of course, to **master the fundamentals** as defined by [SAP](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/professional-services-learn-about-engaging-with-us), typically by doing some sort of SAP training and getting some hands-on [consulting experience](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/are-you-ready-to-think-grow-rich-mindmap). 2. Your second strategy is to learn the **special issues** faced by particular industries, such as Catch Weight Management within the Wholesale Food Distribution Industry. 3. Your third strategy involves doing what you might call [**market opportunity analysis**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/learn-more-about-our-sap-business-intelligence-consulting-services).  By this, you need to do some digging to find out what industries SAP is strong in, i.e., [Professional Services](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-partnership-advisory-services), and then figuring out what the remaining opportunity is. 4. Taking the example of [**Professional Services**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/5-reasons-why-your-business-needs-sap-services-consulting), you might conclude that [learning MRS](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/three-marketing-tactics-that-lead-downton-abbey-to-success) or [Multi-Resource Scheduling](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-sap-s-hrms), would be [a good idea](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/how-i-learned-to-sell-like-a-lion-king) as it used by firms such as the “Big 4” and will therefore become an **indispensable organic capability** for firms such as these. 5. You will have **‘do time in the trenches’**, meaning being on a project.  But of much more value to your client will be your knowledge of the ‘other’ solutions SAP and [SAP partners](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/how-to-nail-sap-partnership-management) may have to offer besides what was in-scope initially.  It is very common to run across a requirement that appears to require a [development, when](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/three-marketing-tactics-that-lead-downton-abbey-to-success), in fact, a solution exist somewhere else in the SAP universe.   For example, are you up-to-speed on the latest offering for creating fully integrated webstores?  Ever hear of WCEM or the recent acquisition of Hypolux?  If you’re working in finance, you will want to know what impacts there are when you sell on-line, in a multi-national environment, in multiple currencies, legal environments and differing tax regimes.  6. You will need to have a **“core”** module, perhaps [CRM](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/inbound-marketing/how-can-hubspots-growth-suite-actually-help-you), as well as having a comprehensive knowledge of the various integration points between CRM and the other modules (last count, more than 230). 7. Finally, you need to know of the existence of as well as how to **leverage,** the **various [SAP tools](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hire-sap-business-intelligence-consultant)**and services to deliver a higher value, differentiated service. > Want to know what you must make as a consultant?  Use our [Consulting Rate Calculator](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/consulting-rate-calculator-whats-your-rate) to figure it out > [![Try Our Consulting Rate Calculator and Know What Rate You Must Make](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/43ee1df8-c1db-4e5b-83b8-06b5b467a57b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/43ee1df8-c1db-4e5b-83b8-06b5b467a57b)   ## What Do You Know About SAP Services   What does that last one mean, exactly? Do you know the full range of SAP support services, such as Going-Live Checks, Early Watch Alerts, or how to build or interpret a solution map?   How about SAP Solution Manager?  Are you able to translate a [SOW (Statement of Work)](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-erp-implementation-sow-template) into an initial scope using the Solution Manager?  Can you [estimate the number of SAP BW resources needed](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/estimate-your-sap-bw-consulting-resource-needs-calculator-timer) on a project based on your past experience and knowledge of the current proposed project?  If you’re working in one of the [consultancies](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/how-sap-certification-ought-to-work), and they have their own methodology or tools, can you articulate the differences between that methodology and the ones SAP provides and make recommendations as to how to proceed?  If not, time to hit the books.   ## SAP Career Coaching Newsletter   If you want to keep up with the latest developments regarding Independent [SAP Consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-consulting-services) Rates by knowing what SAP Customers are actually looking for, you might be interested in a [**SAP Market Intelligence Newsletter**](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/10-sap-career-coaching-tips), which is unique in the marketplace as it is based on actual data.   [![Subscribe to SAP Market Intelligence](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/eeba7cdf-4306-42e4-bcb6-f5bf8363a8fa.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/eeba7cdf-4306-42e4-bcb6-f5bf8363a8fa)   **People Who Read This Also Read:**   - [Get Our Guide to Becoming a Top Gun SAP Consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/get-our-guide-to-becoming-a-top-gun-sap-consultant) - [Get SAP BW BI BO HANA Consultant Rates Market Survey Results](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/get-sap-bw-bi-bo-hana-consultant-rates-market-survey-results) - [Understanding SAP Consulting Rates](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/understanding-sap-consulting-rates) - [Understand SAP BW and Your Fully Loaded Cost Rate](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/understand-sap-bw-and-your-fully-loaded-cost-rate) - [Understand SAP Program Manager Consulting Rates](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/understand-sap-program-manager-consulting-rates)   Topics from this blog: [Consultant Rates](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/consultant-rates) [Market Analysis](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/market-analysis) [Staffing](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/topic/staffing) ### Download SAP BW Mindmap Learn what SAP Business Warehouse is and what it does in under five minutes [![Get this Mindmap](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118735/8db2ad37-8211-47a3-86ae-09b6b2bb297b) [mailto:someone@yoursite.com](mailto:someone@yoursite.com) ### Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP About the Author: Lonnie Ayers is a Hubspot Certified Inbound Marketing consultant, with additional certifications in Hubspot Content Optimization, Hubspot Contextual Marketing, and is a Hubspot Certified Partner. Specialized in demand generation and sales execution, especially in the SAP, Oracle and Microsoft Partner space, he has unique insight into the tough challenges Service Providers face with generating leads and closing sales using the latest digital tools. With 15 years of SAP Program Management experience, and dozens of complex sales engagements under his belt, he helps partners develop and communicate their unique sales proposition. Frequently sought as a public speaker in various events, he is available for both inhouse engagements and ** remote coaching. ** ![Balanced Scorecard Consultant](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/Balanced%20Scorecard%20Certified%20Graduate.jpg) He also recently released a book **"How to Dominate Any Market - Turbocharging Your Digital Marketing and Sales Results",** which is available on [ Amazon.](https://www.amazon.com/Dominate-Turbocharging-Digital-Marketing-Results/dp/1728357950/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1589182458&refinements=p_27%3ALonnie+D.+Ayers&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Lonnie+D.+Ayers)**** [View All Articles by Lonnie D. Ayers, PMP](https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/author/lonnie-d-ayers-pmp) ## The SAP Blog Subscribe to our blog and receive SAP BW Updates, demand generation, inbound marketing, sales enablement, technology and revenue generation insights and ideas delivered right to your email. [mailto:someone@yoursite.com](mailto:someone@yoursite.com) ![SAP](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/960101754/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=199270410761059&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/7-ways-to-influence-independent-consultant-rates#blogposting", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "about" : [ { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "SAP", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAP_AG" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Independent Consultant", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consultant" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "rates", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rates_(tax)" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "hand", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand" } ], "author" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/about-lonnie-ayers#person" }, "description" : "Learn practical ways to influence independent consultant rates using scope clarity, negotiation, and market intelligence.", "headline" : "7 Ways to Influence Independent Consultant Rates", "inLanguage" : "en", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/7-ways-to-influence-independent-consultant-rates#webpage" }, "mentions" : [ { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "client", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "pressure", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Freelance", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freelancer" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Negotiation", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negotiation" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "module", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_design" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "Thinking", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognition" }, { "@type" : "Thing", "name" : "market", "sameAs" : "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_(economics)" } ], "name" : "7 Ways to Influence Independent Consultant Rates", "potentialAction" : { "@type" : "ViewAction", "name" : "Subscribe to SAP Market Intelligence", "target" : { "@type" : "EntryPoint", "actionPlatform" : [ "http://schema.org/DesktopWebPlatform", "http://schema.org/MobileWebPlatform" ], "inLanguage" : "en", "urlTemplate" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/sap-career-coaching" } }, "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/blog/7-ways-to-influence-independent-consultant-rates" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "inLanguage" : "en", "name" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc.", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#logo" }, "name" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc.", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/543163/admin/", "https://www.youtube.com/user/SAPBWConsulting/", "https://twitter.com/Lonniea39", "https://www.facebook.com/SAPBWConsulting" ], "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com#logo", "@type" : "ImageObject", "caption" : "SAP BW Consulting, Inc. logo", "url" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sapbw-consulting.png?width=2847&name=sapbw-consulting.png" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.sapbwconsulting.com/about-lonnie-ayers#person", "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lonnie D. 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