Here's how you can optimize your toolkit and tech for consulting as a self-employed professional.

I'd suggest that you pick your lane - too often IT consultants try to offer too many offerings such that they confuse the buyers. Pick the "existing skills in your toolkit" lane that you believe is the most relevant to the market conditions both now and in the mid-term, and pursue the marketing of, and outstanding delivery of, and keep focused.

In my point of view, it's important to start by carefully looking at the tools and technology you're currently using. Take some time to see what's working well and where things could be better. This will help you figure out how to improve the way you work. Think about the services you offer and what your clients need. This will guide you in choosing the right tools that are essential for your consulting work. By using the right tools, you can work faster and more accurately, which will help you deliver better results for your clients. Always make sure your tools fit your goals, and keep updating them as technology improves.

From my perspective, the next key step in improving your toolkit is streamlining your processes. Focus on automating tasks that tend to be repetitive. For instance, using a CRM system can help you stay organized by tracking all your client interactions, while project management tools can keep deadlines and deliverables in check. When you automate these routine tasks, it frees up more of your time to concentrate on the bigger, more strategic aspects of your consulting work. This not only boosts efficiency but also allows you to deliver better results without getting bogged down by day-to-day details.

As a business and tech advisor, I strongly recommend that upgrading your technology should be seen as a strategic investment rather than a mere operational expense. Leveraging faster hardware, advanced software, or enhanced communication tools can significantly boost the efficiency and quality of your consulting services. However, these upgrades should be carefully aligned with your core service offerings to ensure they deliver measurable value. It's not about adopting technology for the sake of it, but rather about integrating solutions that enhance your business processes, improve client engagement, and drive competitive advantage without introducing unnecessary complexity.