Building on our Past--the Value of Experience

We never know when an opportunity will come forward that our previous experience may be just right for.

Today I came across a business opportunity that was tied directly to my first career, a 10-year career in the U.S. Army.  After I left the Army, while I used the skills and experience gained in that career, I haven't been working in the same areas as I did then.

The business opportunity I came across today was directly linked to this Army experience.  That seems almost amazing.

It is important to remember (and to document) experience because, among other things, we never know when we may need to refer to that experience in the future.  By having the necessary documentation at my fingertips, I was able to take advantage of the business opportunity in ways I would never have been able to do without that background and documentation.

For a sample, read the stories on my website about some interesting experiences.

Amazing, isn't it?

Management Consulting Considerations--Europe and USA

What are the main differences in the American and European ways of running business?

To review some of the cultural differences that impact businesses, look at these two websites:
http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_united_states.shtml

http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_netherlands.shtml  

These websites provide profiles of the cultures of the United States and of The Netherlands—as an example of Europe. The differences between these two cultures are reflected in the ways of doing business in each culture.

Aside from the cultural differences identified by Hofstede, there are basic differences recognized by the formulation of the European Union. American businesses in the USA share a common language, operate under the same federal laws and regulations—though they are also influenced by state laws and regulations. Their employees largely come from the United States or face one set of immigration and “right to work” laws from the USA. Global firms operating in the USA have the basic regulations of the USA, coupled with the requirements they must meet to operate in each of the different multinational locations they are organized in. In Europe, women and men may be regarded more as equals than is prevalent in the USA. In Europe, multiple languages, cultures, and currencies impact businesses and business consulting.

There are different sizes of business which are looking for consulting and some of their decisions on which consulting firms to engage are based on their comfort zones. In the USA, many of the largest consulting firms with 60,000 plus consultants targeted Information Technology (IT) and added strategy and human resources consulting on top of the IT business. To some extent that is also true in Europe. One major area of difference is that many European firms are more aware of the interconnected nature of change in a business and are more supportive of organized planning efforts to support that change than are some American based organizations.

What advantages could a mid-sized European-owned management consulting firm have in the American market?

What needs to be determined is your target market and fees. Firms such as Accenture and PriceWaterhouseCoopers used to have large teams of junior consultants working and reporting to senior managers or partners. Fees for those large teams were in the millions and that limited the target market to only major players in the industry. If you can target a more middle range and provide both physical presence and virtual support—a blended consulting team approach—with investment requirements (costs) that these companies can manage, that will be a significant advantage in the American market. Another goal will be to make the American market support further global expansion by how you target the market.

English Language Learning and Second Language Learning

English language learning and second language learning are big business.  The demand for English world-wide continues to grow.  Unfortunately, many of the people learning English around the world do not have the practice-time with native English speakers and either are too embarassed to communicate orally in English or literally do not have enough knowledge of spoken English to engage effectively in conversations in English.

Second language learners in the USA frequently have similar challenges when attempting to communicate in another language--Spanish, Italian, French, and many others.

Using Technology to Influence--A Matter of Timing

Hollywood movies and movie stars had a positive influence on military recruiting efforts at the beginning of World War II.  They were also involved in supporting the troops in the wars and "police actions" following World War II. 

With the advent of the Internet, YouTube and TeacherTube, among other sites, are hosts for a series of video shorts promoting all kinds of things.

Today, Techsmith.com has three great products that I use--SnagIt, Camtasia, and Jing.  I am learning to use these products to produce my own promotional videos. 

I am now looking at using this technology to introduce new ideas to potential clients and to others so that they can quickly capture the vision of what I am trying to tell them.  I'm still learning how to be effective.  Examples such as Jimmy Stewart's promotional video can give me a good example of what a great video looks like--even with technology from 1942.

Accessing Technology--iPhones, iPod Touch, Notebooks, Netbooks, and Accessories

The iPhone and iPod Touch have changed access to technology in profound ways.  The applications (apps) created for the iPhone and iPod Touch provide access to a wide variety of applications that are also linked to Notebook and Netbook computers.

These applications can vary from a variety of games to mobile business applications including a variety of social networking applications.  The iPod Touch works with WiFi networks and the iPhone is currently on AT&T's wireless platform.

Success Comes from Small Choices for Positive Action

We make small choices every day that lead to the harvest we experience in our lives on a daily basis.  We often make these choices without thinking.  Should I stay in bed just five minutes more in the morning?  Should I show my family I love and value them as I run out the door to work or to school?  Should I use my time wisely in traffic?  Should I exercise in ways that promote the health of my body?  Should I eat in ways that promote the health of my body?  What is my purpose?  Is the work I do aligned with my purpose?  If not, what should I do about that?

I enjoy water aerobics and, more recently, aqua pilates.  I try to get to the indoor pool every day for some healthy exercise.  I'm also watching what I eat, making more healthy choices--though not yet at 100%.  Recently I had an opportunity to look at some work opportunities that were not fully aligned with my purpose in life and was able to redirect my action away from opportunities that go against my values.

Business-to-Business (B2B), Business-to-Consumer (B2C), Business-to-Government (B2G)

Businesses and non-profit organizations have very different roles, each with separate careers and separate jobs.  Research for today's college graduate indicates that each person can expect to have 12 separate careers (and even more jobs).  I have been working for 40 years.  My first ten years were in the U.S. Army.  Since then, my career has largely been in the business-to-business (B2B) and the business-to-government (B2G) arenas.  My teaching experience might be considered business-to-consumer (B2C).

As I became aware of my personal background in each of these three areas, I discovered that I enjoy B2B and B2G more than I do B2C (with the exception of teaching).  My consulting work is largely B2B or B2G.  This also explains, to some extent, while selling things like insurance, securities, or household products has not been something I readily engage in.

Each of these three areas is needed by our society.  Each of us may feel more comfortable in one arena than in another.