A week in the life of a consultant
Engagement Manager, Jakarta
Monday – I attend the Management Meeting at my client’s as an invitee. I then facilitate the sending of their weekly Program Management Office status update. I review the previous week’s work and plan for the rest of the week. I organize meetings and workshops. Some questions from users on previous processes we implemented, and I guide them through the processes, the method and tools we have deployed. New learning emerges, and I hasten to include it in the process, the method and the tool.
Tuesday – Observation of my client’s distribution process and zeroing in on the bottlenecks in the process. We map the “As Is” process, identifying changes in the process. We debate the changes and look at various alternatives. We choose the two best alternatives for the workshop discussion. We compute the benefits of the changes and prepare the presentation for the workshop.
Wednesday – Two workshops on the distribution process improvements – some suggestions, animated discussions and changes incorporated in the processes. Minutes made and mailed and we all relax knowing we have made a difference to the users.
Thursday – While the team polishes the process documents, I am busy preparing a presentation for a new prospect. Presentation over, I and my boss discuss the possible outcomes and fine tune it. In between, I aid team members in finalizing the process documents. Late in the evening, I am busy conducting two recruitment interviews.
Friday – The presentation to the new prospect, and we are happy with the progress we have made. I return to review the final process flowcharts and make a few changes. We go through it again ensuring every change is incorporated. I make a pack and release it for review by the client cross functional team.
A successful week indeed! Hectic work, a lot of variety, some animated discussions, new learning – both for me and my team, and we head for a quiet weekend….
Engagement Manager, Bangalore
Monday - 30 minutes of mailing, 2 hours of conf calls, 4 hours of process mapping.. No more Visios for me, for the day…
Tuesday - Client meeting in the morning, Back to office to review what the consultants were up to... Good stuff this..
Wednesday - Some research on the net, read up on the new client’s business model, Plan for rest of the week, Off to Mumbai.
Thursday - Client meetings all day, make them understand why they desperately need us.
Friday - Wrap up client meetings, quick shopping for kid at home, back to Bangalore.
Bring on the weekend..
