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Monday, November 23, 2009
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volume 1
issue 4
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“As a mother of young children, a-connect has been a dream come true. a-connect brings me
interesting part-time projects that offer flexibility while providing the challenge and camaraderie
that I seek as a professional. The result is a win for my clients and my family.” — R.H., IP since 2006
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10 questions for IP Steven
An Aussie's thoughts about Switzerland and life as an IP
by Atul Khosla
 Steven joined the a-connect pool a bit more than a year ago. He started his career not in the business world but in the Australian health system as a medical practitioner and surgeon! In 2001 he joined Bain & Company in Sydney. After four years with Bain in Australia and the US (San Francisco) he decided to become independent and founded his own consulting firm, specializing in small to medium sized private companies. His focus areas are data modeling, financial planning, and organizational design.
Currently, Steven is working on his second a-connect project, which brought him all the way from Australia to Switzerland, where he is supporting a major financial services client in developing the strategy and a detailed financial model for their asset management division.
a-connect Talent Partner Atul Khosla recently spoke with Steven about his experiences.
1. You moved to a project in Zurich – a cool city but more than 10,000 miles away from your home in Australia: What’s your take on the project and living in Switzerland?
I am working on an extremely exciting and intellectually demanding project for a global financial institution. The work is of a caliber rare to find. Living in Zurich for me is so different to Australia that everyday there is a new contrast to discover - whether it’s the multitude of languages on the street or the fantastic public transport system, or the shop windows full of exotic Swiss watches….
2. How did you decide to take this project? What were the key criteria?
On all counts, this was a project I could not refuse. The client organization is a world leader in its field, the level of engagement is at the highest executive level and the problem at hand is both critical to the future success of the organization as well as being at the cutting edge of industry development.
3. What do you think is the biggest value an IP can bring to a client (in particular compared to more traditional consulting companies)?
I think IPs bring the ability to engage and add value rapidly without the “dead weight” and overhead costs that a full traditional consulting team brings. Through a-connect, the IP also comes with the right skill-set and knowledge to engage and add value rapidly.
4. How do you ensure impact with a client? Any particular techniques or experiences you can share?
The trick is as much as about what not to do as much as what you actually do. Especially in a short and demanding project such as this, an 80:20 approach is essential. I constantly ask myself “will this activity/meeting/analysis change the answer and ultimately change how the client will run their organization”. The other insight I would like to add is that the opinions of senior management within the clients are almost always in the right direction, even if they sometimes come across as disorganized and unstructured.
5. How do you stay fresh and up-to-date? What sources help you continuously renew yourself?
Aside from maintaining a general level of continuing professional education (e.g. reading strategic journals and financial press), every client engagement is an opportunity to learn from colleagues and from the client.
6. How and when did you get to know a-connect?
A colleague of mine, a McKinsey Alumnus, now working in academia, passed on my details to a-connect. One interview and two months later, I was on my first assignment in Chicago.
7. How many and what kind of a-connect projects have you worked on so far? How are they different from the projects you acquire on your own?
This is my second a-connect project and the previous one was markedly different. Last time it was an organizational/compensation case in America where I was the only IP within a client strategy team. This time, it is a purer strategy/implementation project as part of a bigger a-connect team in Europe. Back home, I tend to work with SME’s on more tactical performance improvement issues.
8. How long have you been independent? Do you like the life as an IP? Why?
Three years, and I would not have it any other way. I love being the master of my destiny, choosing where and when I work and what sort of projects I accept. I do not see this changing anytime soon.
9. What are your hobbies outside work?
I enjoy traveling, especially to developing countries, which is such a refreshing change from the suit and tie and hotel world of consulting. Back home, I enjoy going to live music events and body surfing in the many fine beaches that Sydney has to offer.
10. Can you recommend one or two interesting books you have read to other IPs?
If you are looking for a gripping story with soul I suggest “Red Earth and Pouring Rain” by Vikram Chandra. If you want to understand how life, the universe and everything really works I suggest “A Brief History of Everything” by Ken Wilber (the first two chapters are heavy going but perseverance is worth it). After reading this book you will never look at the world the same way again. Enjoy.
Thank you.
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