:: For twenty years, WIC has been helping consultants help themselves through an exchange of ideas, best practices, and networking. In celebration of those countless conversations, this WIC Insight series hopes to share how long-term members learned lessons that applied directly to their business so new members can jumpstart theirs. Deborah Henken is a business management consultant/marketing strategist at Highland and Team and now an Encore Fellow. In all that success, Deborah joined WIC … [Read more...]
It’s No Longer All About Me
October 16, 2017 By 1 Comment
:: Scale is not safe and contained. It’s worth it, but it’s also scary. My vision is the product. My reputation is in the hands of others. 30 years of scaling innovations in health, I know a few things about how to do this. But now its personal. Plus, I am making bigger claims while no longer having built in quality control. Still the process is the same. Alignment of Goals, Why’s and How’s is paramount. In the case of Act One Healthcare Mission: Make healthcare easier for people by … [Read more...]
Going Gray: When did my hair become part of my resume?
October 11, 2017 By Leave a Comment
:: I wrote this blog in the spring, but only had the nerve to post it after reading an article on the same topic in yesterday's New York Times. Author and age activist Ashton Applewhite’s call to action is the same as mine: "Rather than hiding from age, supposing women embraced it by not trying to look younger than their years. That might help remove the stigma of aging." I remember the day I decided enough is enough…my hair dresser politely suggested that I needed to start coming to see her … [Read more...]
How Do You Start Your Pitch?
April 18, 2017 By Leave a Comment
:: Ok, you have something you’d like to pitch… Where do you start? To help explain, let me set a scene for you: You’re on a nineteen-hour flight between Sydney and Dallas. In the seat next to you is the one person you’ve been trying to talk to for over a year; the VP of Marketing you’d like to show your new product story to, the movie producer who would love your story outline, or your CEO. Direct TV is broken, so you have their full attention for the entire nineteen hours. This is the … [Read more...]
The 2016 WIC Speed Mentoring Event in Review
December 15, 2016 By 1 Comment
:: When I proposed launching a WIC Mentorship Program in 2014, none of us knew where it would lead. WIC has an incredibly vibrant community, with a culture of supporting one another’s success; a mentorship program seemed a natural fit for the organization. Fast forward two years: we’ve launched six Mastermind groups and two Speed Mentoring events, with demand for more. We’ve had bumps along the way. Still, with great member suggestions – and a little patience – WIC continues to evolve the … [Read more...]
The Myths of Consulting
May 3, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Had enough of corporate life? Thinking of hanging out your own shingle? Many people consider consulting as an alternative to a career working in corporations or small businesses. The flexibility and challenge of being your own boss can be exciting. But before you take the leap, examine your assumptions. For example, do you know the truth behind these 5 myths about consulting? 1) Anyone Can Consult Consulting takes a specific combination of skills and personality. Proven expertise in a … [Read more...]
An Interview With Deb Siegle
October 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Deb Siegle, WIC’s president, was recently interviewed (by email) regarding women consultants and business owners for possible inclusion in an article for one of the Boston College blogs. Here are excerpts from that interview. In February of 2015, the Cass Business School At City University London hosted an event called Women In Consulting - Challenges And Opportunities. What have been some of the major challenges you've dealt with, as a woman in the business world? I think the … [Read more...]
Guy Kawasaki: The Art of the Start 2.0
August 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment
Guy Kawasaki, a Silicon Valley legend, spoke to a sold-out crowd at the WIC meeting last week about The Art of the Start 2.0. He spoke on the same topic soon afterwards in Australia. This article summarizes his main points. It's a good review for those fortunate enough to be at the WIC meeting, and a good intro to the points for others. Enjoy. … [Read more...]
To go solo or not? WICademy course on Consulting may have the answer!
March 13, 2014 By 1 Comment
As WIC prepares to launch a WICademy course on Consulting for those considering going out on their own, I began reflecting on my experiences as a Consultant. Here are some of the pros and cons that stand out. I’m the Boss It’s exciting and liberating! I can choose who to work for, when and how much. The amount of money I make is directly related to the quality and the amount of work I’m willing to put in. If I want to make more money I don’t have to play office politics and ask for a … [Read more...]
Refresh Your Marketing Plan
April 16, 2013 By 1 Comment
I founded my consultancy almost 10 years ago. At the time, I put together a marketing plan that was fantastic for 2004: create a static website, update testimonials every year, generate email newsletters on a quarterly basis, and keep an eye on something new called LinkedIn - a site I figured would probably go nowhere. Now, I look at all the ways professionals like me reach out to keep in touch, and quite frankly I'm embarrassed. Maintaining a twitter feed, blogging, creating timely videos. … [Read more...]
