WORKSHIFTER - Dispatches from the New Executive Frontier

I'm beginning to hear some real optimism in the market in the last few weeks.  It seems that businesses are beginning to recognize that despite the economy, it is time to get back to business.  And, the organizations I'm speaking to realize that they can't do it the way they used to....they just can't add back all that fixed cost. They need to find new and creative ways to deploy talent to drive business results AND reduce fixed costs.  Engaging independent professionals on a project basis to solve problems is a compelling value proposition in what will be The New Economy. 

We at EPOCH are out there advocating for all of you and encouraging companies to engage professionals and executives on site to help accelerate the completion of critical business initiatives.

In July, we will also be launching an "on-line" version, where small and mid size businesses can access our portfolio of professionals on an hourly basis.  When that is complete, we will have a service delivery model that supports small, mid-size and large companies.

So, hang in there.....I think there will be lots of work for lots of you over the next few months.  Keep working your networks and keep evangelizing the model.  As I've said in the past....engaging talent in this new way gives companies:

• Access to 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 business leaders the objective feedback they need to make great decisions)

Last but not least, if any of you ever get an assignment with a multinational organization, I learned of a terrific company this week called Globally Hip (www.globallyhip.com) that focuses on cultural awareness.  They offer one on one training for individuals in addition to speaking, education and broad based training for corporations.  I met the owner and I think they have a terrific model.  If you happen to be fortunate enough to work with people around the globe, having this kind of training and support will give you a tremendous advantage...check them out! 

Dr. Mildred L. Culp, WorkWise syndicated columnist, recently investigated the challenges that “would-be working retirees” are facing in the workforce.

She spoke with a number of staffing agencies and myself to bring to light the fact that there are companies out there ready to not only answer their questions, but to provide options.
According to Dr. Culp, such individuals are at a loss to know:

• What they can do at this point in their careers.
• How they can earn money doing it.
• Who can help them.
• Where they should go to find that help.

First and foremost, something that I think everyone on the brink of retirement should know is this: you are in high-demand, on a project basis. For a company, especially in today’s economy, hiring someone who can complete a project at a variable cost is in most cases the most desirable and efficient way to get things done. If you know this ahead of time, it will help you to assess your marketable skills and present those to a company in need of specific skill sets.

Another reason why such individuals are appealing to companies is because they are looking for people who have been there, done that. Someone who has already made the mistakes, worked through the solutions, and is seasoned and prepared to tackle a project from start to finish. And with the potential talent gap in the workplace I have already begun to notice that companies are looking for a new kind of mentor. Unlike the traditional coach/mentor, who works on the softer skills, like how to influence people, how to work collaboratively etc., companies are in need of business coaches to teach the real skills of running the business, how to measure performance and how to communicate results, etc.

Another reason using project based resources is so important to companies is their need to respond rapidly to market changes. That is evidenced most in looking at product life cycle. The average life cycle of a new product or service historically averaged about five years. Today, it in our global and competitive marketplace, it is less than 18 months. In order for companies to respond that rapidly, they need to engage resources who have done similar things in similar organizations around the world. So, just in cast you were wondering….The Workforce Still Needs You!