Gruppe: Consulting Business

In the past consultants worked on their own, perhaps in small
groups or a fixed company.

Could you imagine what innovations and values would be freed
when consultants across the world would work together on
projects, shift responsibilities, seek supporters and co-create
the future?

Is that possible, where the crisis has hit the consulting area
quite a bit. Companies are not willing to pay high budgets
in these times?

Yes, I think it is:-))

http://notanmba.com/blog/2007/12/meat-butter-and-jelly-sandw...

In 2008 I gave an elevator pitch in Leipzig, Germany, talking about
this kind of work, not explicitely around consulting, rather increase
the creaitivity use of employees in companies and freelance contracts.

Back than the concept sounded alien and one out of 200 people grasped
the idea in the audience. It was the head of the economic initiative and
today CoWorking is arising in Leipzig (http://twitter.com/coworking_le)
and Dresden (http://twitter.com/LockSchuppen).

http://www.jonnygoldstein.com/2009/03/04/the-coworking-manif...

...has an inspiring video that explains CoWorking, which could lead into explicit
CoConsulting around the world (not just Germany, where it could however start).

What do you think of that idea?

What structures or rules in the current business of consulting would stand against
this concept?

What should be transformation steps from today's practice to the future one?

Do you see any backdraws concerning your own business?

Looking forward to hearing your concerns, comments, thoughts.

Best regards

Ralf Lippold
Dieser Artikel wurde am 24.10.2009 um 14:25 Uhr geändert.

Hi Ralf,

In the past consultants worked on their own, perhaps in small groups or a fixed company.
You are perfectly right with "IN THE PAST": As a minor company You have two alternatives: Dealing with minor projects or starting co-working. The organizational perspective of consulting ist project-teaming.

Could you imagine what innovations and values would be freed
when consultants across the world would work together on
projects, shift responsibilities, seek supporters and co-create
the future?
a little bit oversized for me: I am qulte satisfied with co-working on projects. But anyway an interesting vision.

Is that possible, where the crisis has hit the consulting area quite a bit. Companies are not willing to pay high budgets
in these times?
It depends on the compelling event - but in the large area of "normal" consulting-projects - I am with You.

In 2008 I gave an elevator pitch in Leipzig, Germany, talking about
this kind of work, not explicitely around consulting, rather increase
the creaitivity use of employees in companies and freelance contracts.
I use this kind of organisation since many years - and it seems that it is more efficiant and very more effective as hard wired connections and solid firms.

What do you think of that idea?
I am living in it!

What structures or rules in the current business of consulting would stand against this concept?
Nothing against it but the necessity of defined rules in a project and the mutual imperative of customer focused work.

What should be transformation steps from today's practice to the future one?
No steps! Just do it. Acquisite a project and assemble Your joined co-workers. Formulate a contract, sign and start working.

Do you see any backdraws concerning your own business?
No.

Looking forward to hearing your concerns, comments, thoughts.
The main challange is to overcome the lack of team-playing skills of freelancers.

kind regards.
Michael R. Grunenberg

Hi Michael,

Thanks a lot for your thorough answers on my questions. Visions look always too far away, and yet some time in the future they become reality;-)

Lack of team playing skills of freelancers? Hm, I think the current system and structure of contracts goes against it. Pretty much as in the organizations themselves:-(

Setting up the new work around consulting is coming from taking the first step and just do it - right and thanks for stating that.

Best regards, Ralf