WORKSHIFTER - Dispatches from the New Executive Frontier

I've been talking not only with potential independent executives/new consultants for Epoch but also many people who just want some input about how to keep themselves motivated during a long period of unemployment or during long periods in between projects, usually their first, during this recession.  One theme that kept coming through was that these folks miss the camaraderie of being fully engaged on a consulting engagement or in full time employment, often not realizing that the social aspect of working was almost as important to them as their workplace accomplishments. We talk about outplacement hoteling spaces, networking meetings, checking in with colleagues on a regular schedule, working side-by-side at a location with WiFi access, getting feedback from trusted advisers on your work/resume/bio/proposal, working at a friend's house so you both can stay structured and just generally keeping connected to people even if it is via phone or skype when not physically with them. So today, while keeping up with some on line reading, I came across one of Marci Alboher's blogs titled "Tired of working alone? Try coworking" and realized that she had developed a word for one of the ideas I've been talking with executives, consultants and freelancers about for the past year - working separately but physically together. Her blog lists some ideas for coworking, and I recommend you read it if you have the chance. Coworking...I think I'll be using that term and crediting Marci often in the weeks and months ahead! 

Are you wondering how you can spend more time growing your business instead of spending time managing your business?  We can now help support your ongoing technical needs as well as your accounting and bookkeeping for a very reasonable fee.  Then, once you've gotten that off your to-do list, we can also offer you the support services you need, to help you grow your business including:

• Web site development
• Creative new marketing materials
• Public Speaking Coaching
• Business Advisory Services
• Tutoring in Twitter, Facebook and Linked In

We want to help you grow and develop your practice and so we've provided you with all the tools you need to do just that.  The big companies outsource the work that is not what they consider their "core competency"....why shouldn't you?  Visit our consultant and freelance resource center for more information or call 617.440.3087 and speak with one of our representatives about how we can help you.

It's all about making more time for yourself so you can focus on your business.  Let us be your partner in making that happen.

Corporations, like people, sometimes demonstrate extremely unhealthy behaviors.  Neal Bruce of First Advantage describes the way most companies manage their workforce talent as "the binge-purge syndrome".  In other words, when times are good, companies load up on people and fixed costs.  Then, when times get tough, they purge them at a tremendous cost to the organization in terms of both pure dollars paid in severance costs and in the morale of the people left behind and the people they put out of work.

A much healthier way for businesses to manage their talent resources is to maintain a healthy weight or a core group of people which is augmented with variable cost resources for the specific time period they are needed to do specific work.  In other words, tap into deep knowledge and expertise (with done it before resources), on a variable cost basis (no recruiting, benefits or severance costs) with goal oriented people who have no political agenda (giving companies the objective feedback they need to make great business decisions).

There is a real lesson to be learned here...as we begin to come out of this economic cycle, companies need to learn from their mistakes of the past.  This time around, there is no need to binge on fixed resources when there are a growing number of people who are choosing to work as independent consultants and freelancers.  If companies begin to embrace this new interim management model, they will be a lot healthier in the long run.

We are beginning to see a pick up in the market.  Businesses are recognizing their need to get specific things done but not yet ready to take on additional fixed costs.  This is great news for those of you already in consulting and freelancing practices and, is also great news for those of you looking for full time employment.

Because companies traditionally engage temporary or contingent workers before beginning to hire full time, this is a great opportunity for you.  Why not consider targeting the company or companies you most want to work for and ask them to take you on as a consultant for 3-6 months?  This gives the company an opportunity to "try before they buy" and, it gives you short term work with the long term opportunity for a full time job.  If you believe in yourself and in your abilities, it's a great way to get your foot in the door and prove yourself.  If you chose this path, you will need to be sure you manage the process professionally.  You need to have a contract, you need insurance and you may even need some coaching.

As more and more people, (by choice or by circumstance), are choosing consulting and freelancing as alternatives to traditional employment, the need to have a comprehensive source of resources and tools to help them, has never been greater.

On May 1, EPOCH launched a consultant and freelance resource center to help.  Setting up, growing or managing your business can now be easy with EPOCH as you partner.  We offer over 30 products and services to help you get started and run your business.

In this very competitive job market, you need to find a way to differentiate yourself from others that will ultimately be trying for the same job.  Offering to work as a consultant may be the solution.  You will stand out, you will be helping the company drive business results and manage fixed costs, and when the full time opportunity opens up...you'll be the natural choice!  You'll already be in the middle of key projects and initiatives....you have nothing to lose!  Good Luck.

Last Friday, the Department of Labor released its monthly unemployment report for February 2009. Though experts had predicted that it would undoubtedly rise from the 7.6 percent rate back in January, the announcement that it was at 8.1 percent stunned everyone. So, what does this mean for consultants? Opportunity! For the unexpectedly unemployed or for those of you feeling under-employed who have been looking for a change, there has never been a better time to start a consulting practice than now!! It is a trend I have been talking about for the past year and it’s something I’ve seen grown tremendously in the last 6 months. Right now, 30 percent of the workforce is made up of consultants and that number is expected to grow to over 50 percent by 2014. I’ve used this blog in the past to give tips to my readers on how to become independent consultants. Given the recent news on unemployment and the economy, I’ve decided to expand this into a full day seminar. I’ll be sponsoring an all day workshop on March 31st in Boston at the Seaport Hotel for those who are looking to launch a consulting career. We’ll have experts and professionals – from lawyers, CPA’s, web designers and behavioral experts – to help guide you through the process of becoming independently employed. You will even get the chance to start a business plan and network with other professionals. Check out www.epochseminars.com for more information. And check back here for more tips and information for consultants or to see when the seminar is coming to a town near you!