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! 

Barbara Haith has joined EPOCH as Vice President of Business Development at EPOCH, focusing her energies on educating organizations on EPOCH's model and executive talent resources while developing a strong network of long-term client partnerships for EPOCH and interim executive portfolio.  Barbara is a strategic sales leader with over 15 years experience delivering workforce and HR-related solutions to Fortune 1000 companies nationally.  She has direct experience providing outsourced recruiting and staffing solutions to clients within the Financial Services, Life Sciences, Higher Education and Technology industry sectors. Barbara's background includes 10 years as a senior manager leading high performing field sales teams.

Prior to joining EPOCH, Barbara recently served as Vice President of Business Development at TAC Worldwide where she helped customers create practical talent acquisition and workforce strategies for the high tech manufacturing, medical device, and life science industry sectors.

Before joining TAC Worldwide, Barbara was Vice President of Sales for Veritude, a Fidelity Investments company.  In that capacity, she was the primary business development leader for Managed Services Programs and Recruitment Process Outsourcing solutions, initiating and closing more than 20 multi-million dollar accounts including Millipore, EMC, Avid Technology, Akamai, Boston Scientific, JP Morgan Chase, Citizens Bank, MIT, and Columbia University.

Prior to joining Fidelity, Barbara served in senior level sales capacities within the outsourced recruiting sector with firms including Randstad and MRI International.  Earlier in her career, Barbara held executive level field sales management roles in fashion retailing for the specialty retailers Banana Republic and The Limited.

Barbara graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Organizational Development.  She resides in Boxford with her husband Malcolm, and retriever champion Hunter.