My First 90 Days: The Life of a Consultant
In this series, professionals share how they rocked — or didn’t! — the all-important first 90 days on the job. Follow the stories here and write your own(please include the hashtag #First90 in the body of your post).
Many people speak about the ‘My First 90 Days’ as being a grueling time where in the most part, one is thrust out of their comfort zone of their previous organisation or role and into the often unknown. A number of killer questions may string to mind… Will I exceed expectations? Will I expand my network effectively? Will I develop and learn new things? The list goes on. All questions which we have all likely asked ourselves when trying something new. Being a consultant though, these questions are often required to be asked on a regular basis. In some cases every 90 days.
Over my career thus far, assignments have lasted anywhere between 30 and 270 days with the latter being a one-off. On the most part, assignments have completed just as it rolls over to the end of my first 90 days. Assessments have been completed, deliverables handed to clients and projects set-up for delivery all within that first 90 days. So in my role, exceeding expectations, expanding my network effectively and developing and learning new things within that first 90 days are all essential.
Preparation is key. It is vital that you know how you will approach the assignment and particularly vital that you understand the make-up of both the client and internal team. Much the same as with any new role! It is also vital that you accelerate the relationship building with the client whilst also listening contently to understand not only what their problems are today but also what their problems will be tomorrow. The pain-points. Couple an understanding of these pain-points with knowledge and experience and the killer questions will become much less killer
For those of you making a career move this January, or even this Year, I hope the above description of constant change as a consultant is useful. Essentially:
- always look to understand how you can exceed expectations;
- always focus on building a network;
- always understand how you expand your knowledge and learn new things;
- always look to bring solutions to the existing pains
Good Luck!
Stephen
