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Working for Free?

Posted Wed, 09/02/2009 - 13:55 by Christine Lambden

Several times in the last couple of weeks, we've heard independent consultants say that they were doing work for a client "for free" because they want to win a larger deal or prove themselves.  We hate to hear this. 

Finish Right

Posted Tue, 08/25/2009 - 19:22 by Christine Lambden

At the end of every project, it's important to go through a formal Lessons Learned evaluation to allow every member of the team to learn from their experience.  Ask yourselves what you wish had been done differently -- not to assign blame, but to do it better next time.
 
The same examination may be beneficial at the end of a task.  If you had to rewrite your Recommendations document three times before your collaborators would sign it, there is probably a lesson to be learned from the experience.
 

Don't Mention Any Names

Posted Sun, 08/16/2009 - 19:28 by Christine Lambden
Wherever consultants gather...airports, hotels, Starbucks...we often find ourselves sharing detailed, unfiltered stories about our jobs.  This is natural human behavior.  It's also a really bad idea.

 

Take Notes For Later

Posted Sat, 08/15/2009 - 19:29 by Christine Lambden
While you are in the midst of the engagement, you have all the details clear in your mind.  You don't need notes to remember the name of your go-to person in the London office or name of the process that has to run before you run the daily report.

Write it all down anyway. 

Next month or next year, when you've worked on three other projects and replaced that information in your memory several times, you'll get a call from the client asking you to come back and "make a few simple changes".

Do The Easy Stuff Perfectly

Posted Tue, 08/11/2009 - 19:33 by Christine Lambden
Every company or workgroup has one or two superstars who can get away with ignoring administrative duties and breaking rules.  These folks are so consistently brilliant with technology or sales that the manager is forced to tolerate their disrespect for policy. If you are one of these people, we see that silly grin on your face.  If you know one of these people, we feel your pain!
 

Breakfast Tacos

Posted Thu, 08/06/2009 - 19:23 by Christine Lambden
If you don't live in Texas, you might not know about Whataburger.  Whataburger is a chain of fast-food restaurants.  The buildings have bright orange-and-white stripes and the burgers are GOOD. 
 
But that's not the point.  The point is that Whataburger is running a commercial right now that shows a guy who is late to a meeting, but no one cares because he brought a bag of breakfast tacos from Whataburger.
 
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