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- In the speaking business, most speakers are also writers, consultants, coaches, and/or trainers. Very few speakers are strictly keynoters … most speakers also do these other things within their individual businesses.
- These other things complement and support each other … speaking generates consulting jobs, writing generates speaking, consulting generates speaking and training opportunities, etc.
- Using my Gump character, I never knew how I could be something other than a speaker. I thought of my business model strictly a presenter, speaker, or entertainer … one and done. The character didn’t lend itself to giving a presentation and then advising companies about their business practices.
- About two months ago, I approached a client about doing some consulting. I learned their business from the presentations I had done. I knew generally what they needed. I thought I could help.
- Long story short … they hired me to consult. Not as Forrest – but as Steve.
- The initial plan was to immerse myself heavily for about five weeks and then back off and continue to assist for another ten weeks. The goal was to find opportunities for improvement and then help individuals implement their ideas. It was originally theorized that I would work with the employees individually. Or with small groups within a department.
- What both my client and I learned was that the discovery period was just that … a discovery.
- We discovered that what was most needed was a direct leader at their main facility (i.e. General Manager). Rapid growth had taken place over the past few years. Key leadership moved to secondary locations. Many new employees have been hired during the past year. All these changes created a leadership vacuum.
- The search for a new General Manager has begun. Rather than back off and reduce my involvement as originally envisioned, I’ve been asked to increase my involvement and lead the team of hardworking employees. I will act as the interim General Manager until a permanent GM can be hired and trained.
- Here’s the ironic part. I knew I could help but I didn’t know exactly how. Once we knew what the real problem was, I then decided to help in an additional way that was not originally imagined.
- Being a consultant is a process and a journey. Help the client and then get out of the way. Create a new vision and/or procedures that are sustainable. Immerse yourself, and spend enough time and energy to identify and fix the problems. Then move on.
- Forrest is still the speech or speaker. Steve is now a consultant.