In this new economy there seems to be one type of worker in two scenarios; those who are wearing multiple hats, juggling several assignments at a frenetic pace and those who are doing the same exact things but aren’t getting paid for it. Volunteering in a down job market has many rewarding aspects, it allows you to test drive an industry and its process. It’s an opportunity to contribute and be creative. This form of involuntary entrepreneurship can open many doors into a world of consulting. The employer is grateful but often wears a look that says, it’s a pity we can’t pay you.
As we stumble back to life from the global financial meltdown, large oligopolies will continue to be a major influence on setting the price of goods but their customers are more educated after being swindled by an unregulated market, and they’re demanding that corporations behave more responsibly.
As illustrated by Jared Diamond three of the biggies: Wal-mart, Coco-Cola and Chevron are taking on sustainable business practices. They are listening to their customers and are implementing more adaptive business models where social goals are taken into account along side of business and economic goals. In essence, they are replacing the bankrupt ideology of profit-at-any-cost with a whole systems approach to capitalism.
That the whole is more than the sum of its parts is not a new concept but application of this simple observation is often over-looked by professionals focused on their tasks at hand without pause to take in the larger picture.
A model of consulting that begins with a systems approach will continue to gain momentum in the coming year. Specialization in multiple areas and personalized service will still distinguish the leaders, but now, just like volunteer workers, consultants too need to be motivated just to contribute.
Lisa Goddard
