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Considering our options: Independent consulting
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This is the beginning of a series of articles that will examine work options—different ways of configuring the way we work in today’s economy. I call the series: “Considering our options.”
Charles Handy, management consultant and writer, was prescient when; in 1989 he predicted the shape of future organizations and our roles within them. He described the “Shamrock Organization” as a place made up of a core of full-time permanent workers supported by an external pool of part-time outside workers.
“For Handy the first of the three leaves represented the professional managers and administrators – the organisational core. This leaf is shrinking in size.The second leaf contained the contractual fringe. Its contributors to the organisation were vital, but they were outsiders. In the third leaf were those including the portfolio workers, as well as temporary workers and part-timers. They contributed much, but they could never be considered part of the organisation. Many didn’t want to be. They wanted jobs but not careers. They frequently worked for a number of disparate organisations. In Handy’s language they were like fleas feeding off elephants.”
My focus in this article is on the “third leaf of Handy’s shamrock”—what he called the flexible labor force that is comprised of portfolio, temporary and part time workers. And, in particular I will be addressing a fast growing part of the changing labor force—executive temp workers.
Recently I had the opportunity to interview M Squared CEO, Alex Dodd.Marion McGovern and Paula Reynolds founded M² Consulting, Inc., in 1988 with the purpose of offering companies an alternative to hiring traditional consulting firms and their armies of newly minted MBAs. Rather, M² would offer experienced independent consultants—with expertise in a variety of subject-matter areas and industries.
Today the company has over 14,000 consultants in their Consultant Network. Companies, whose names were not disclosed by M² (but are listed on their website) look to M² to provide experienced and vetted consultants to work with them for a specific period of time—typically on a specific project.
As I learned, their pool of consultants includes mid-to-senior level executives who have decided to create a more flexible work style. In the jargon of organizational speak, in this group are many “C-executives” —CEO, CFO, CIO, CMO.
During our interview Dodd shared his views on the changes taking place in the workplace— and how these changes were impacting individuals. In a recent talk he gave to the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, he noted the following changes to the nature of work:
• Knowledge economy is driving the need for specialized workers with specialized
skills.
• Work is becoming more team based.
• Work is becoming more project based.
• Technology intensive and enabled work can be done from anywhere.
•New organizational structures, leadership and management styles are emerging.
M² fills a gap between the demand and the supply of skilled workers—offering their clients an interesting and, according to Dodd, a cost-effective staffing alternative. He views the “Flexible Workforce” as an innovative human capital strategy that:
• Recognizes the changes that are impacting “work”
• Leverages the strengths of all 4 generations in the workforce
• Incorporates workplace flexibility, allowing people to balance work/family/life
• Provides greater flexibility and resiliency for the organization
So, you might be wondering at this point, “What is in it for me? And, do I fit the M² profile?
When asked to describe the benefits of becoming a M² consultant, Dodd said, “By joining us, consultants will have a marketing arm that connects them to high quality companies and projects. They will also enjoy the benefits of being a part of the M² network of consultants—where they can connect with colleagues.”
According to M Squared’s CMO, Kimball Norup, a “typical M² consultant” is a Baby Boomer with 15-20 years of professional experience in any of a number of industries (Financial Services, Technology, Life Sciences are the three largest sectors, but M2 consultants also bring career experience from Retail, Energy, Consumer Products, Media, and the Public Sector). Their functional experience mirrors the major corporate areas: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, IT, Human Resources, and Strategy. These seasoned professionals have made the career choice to be independent business consultants and M² becomes their marketing arm.
On their website (http://www.msquared.com/), they describe the M² consultant as follows:
“You are a seasoned professional with senior-level business experience, managing your own consulting practice. During your career, you have worked for at least one blue-chip company or top-tier consulting firm. You probably have an advanced degree, and you definitely have mastered the current methodologies and practices in your field and know when and how to apply them.”
One way they suggested you check out the company and whether or not you want to “sign-up” is by attending one of their quarterly Consulting Briefings. You can find out more about these complimentary events and the company, on their website, http://www.msquared.com/. There you will also find and be able to complete their “Online Credentials Profile.”
M² is not the only “game in town.” Local firms such as Marley Associates, Crimson Consulting Group™ based in Silicon Valley—and national and international firms such as Resources Global (a spin off of Deloitte & Touche LLP) and the London-based firm, Eden McCallum. In light of what is happening in today’s workplace I wonder if there will be others from which to choose.
Comments? I would enjoy hearing from independent consultants about your experiences. Thanks!
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