What do great project managers do that other people don’t? That was one of the questions I asked the WIC Community list recently as I researched an article I was writing. Knowing that WIC, as a community, includes many great project managers, I wanted to hear what WIC list readers thought about great project management skills. I asked these questions, as well: Can great project management skills be taught, or are they just natural for some people (i.e., "you have to be born that … [Read more...]
Interested in the WIC Mentoring Program? Spring session starts soon
February 5, 2010 By 1 Comment
We created a new Women in Consulting member benefit late in 2009, the WIC Mentoring Program. Our successful six-week pilot run ended in mid-October. The pilot included seven mentees who agreed to help us test the new program. These were WIC members who were interested in the program, but also ready to invest some time (and do some homework!) in order to apply the information we shared with them to help improve various aspects of their businesses. Desiree Lehrbaum (Lumen Consulting) and I … [Read more...]
Lessons from the Giants’ no-hitter
July 12, 2009 By 1 Comment
You just never know what's going to happen when you walk onto the field, metaphorically speaking. You might end of the game having won or lost. And if you're the victor, you may even produce a performance that's one for the record books. Jonathan Sanchez, a San Francisco Giants pitcher, pitched a no-hitter Friday night - the first for the San Francisco Giants since 1976 and the first at home since 1975. Any superb performance, no matter what field of play in which it occurs, is a thing … [Read more...]
Interested in the pilot of the WIC Mentoring Program?
July 7, 2009 By 3 Comments
WIC Members, are you interested in: - Mentoring other WIC members as they grow in their practices? - Being mentored by WIC members from whom you can learn and improve? We're creating a new member benefit, the WIC Mentoring Program, and we're starting a pilot program. This new program falls within my area of responsibility as a 2009 WIC Board member. The pilot will be a six-week mentoring program where groups convene once a week by phone. Each group will be focused on one area of business, … [Read more...]
What’s the best leadership style? It depends
February 11, 2009 By 2 Comments
As consultants, we're leaders and influencers. And we help our clients, as leaders, to be at their best. What, then, is the best leadership style? It depends. Leadership, to be great, must be right for the time, the goals of the team or organization, the resources that can be rounded up for the cause, and for the followers. And, of course, the leadership style that's effective must work for the leader, him or herself. Sometimes a forceful, directive leadership style works … [Read more...]
Should I Become a Consultant: Part III
October 8, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In Parts I and II of "Should I Become a Consultant," the focus was on already-established professionals who were contemplating making the jump from corporate to consulting. If you're a new college grad, the question takes on a whole new dimension. I recently asked the WIC Community List members the following question, "I'm a new college graduate, and I'm thinking of going into consulting. What would you advise?" About 20 WIC consultants replied. Here's a summary of their advice … [Read more...]
Should I Become a Consultant: Part II
October 8, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In Part I of "Should I Become a Consultant," I wrote about understanding what a consultant's life really involves, exploring the waters a bit, answering the question about whether the entrepreneurial life is right for you, and researching the field that interests you, whether its marketing, management, sales, or some other field. Next, research specific areas and ways you can help clients. What Problems Can You Solve Well? Think about the types of problems you want to solve, the … [Read more...]
