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S A Y
Making the transition to being a consultant
If you work in a large company, you may wonder what it
would take for you to become a consultant. One of our consultants,
Wayne Holstein, has described his experience of this transition
from internal corporate position to CDG consultant. We want
to share his description with you.
It was the "worst of times" and it was the "best of times."
Now, where have I heard that before? Please notice that
the "best of times" came second. There may be some hidden
meaning behind this.
After seventeen years working in corporate America, I decided
I needed a change. But what could I do? After all, I was
well recognized at the company I had been with for so long
and, of course, very indispensable (aren't we all?). Then
an opportunity of a lifetime came my way. I was assigned
to work on the new SAP payroll project. Because of my experience
with and knowledge of payroll processing, there was no other
person for the job. I spent a year learning all about SAP.
(Probably could use about ten more years. What a system!).
It was during this long (very long) year that I had the
pleasure of working with many consultants. I use the word
pleasure since most of them were very likable. Notice that
I didn't say knowledgeable. Sad to say, none of the consultants
were from CDG. If that had been the case, I may not have
made the decision I did.
During the long hours of working on the SAP project, I
realized that after two or three months, I knew more than
they did. Then a light bulb came on! If they can be consultants,
why can't I? After all, I seem to have the personality for
it. I even have the intelligence for it. What could be lacking?
How do I go about doing this?
Many headhunters contacted me throughout the length of
my time on the SAP project. I played along with some of
them, but a couple of them caught my attention. Larry Duke
(Management Recruiters of Charlotte North) was one of them.
He was extremely professional during his conversations with
me, and also seemed very honest. We talked on several occasions
and he kept asking for a resume. Sure, I said. I'll be glad
to send you one, but right now, I am so busy I don't have
the time to update one. He was persistent. Finally, I sent
him a "short and sweet" version of a resume.
He immediately got excited and told me that he had a perfect
fit for me. It was a wonderful firm and he thought I would
be very happy there. (Of course, he wouldn't even tell me
the name of the company.) In a later conversation with him,
he mentioned that the company he had in mind for me was
one called CDG. CDG? My goodness, that brought back some
memories. So I decided to ask him some questions. How is
Cynthia doing? How is Brad? What is Cyndi up to? Is Susanna
still working hard? What about Amy? Is she still consulting?
On and on I went. Finally Larry said, "Do you know them?"
I then explained to him that I had known CDG for at least
ten years and that I thought it was a wonderful company.
He asked if he could tell them who he was talking to. I
said, Of course. Give them my love.
Well, the rest is history. Larry couldn't wait to get back
to me. All I had to do was pass some sort of analytical
test (I wasn't worried), and take a couple of psychological
tests (now, I was worried). What is the world coming to?
I have to take tests to even be considered for a position
with a company? Boy, was I impressed. Larry sent me the
tests and I gave them the old college try.
The analytical test went very well. I couldn't wait to
get the results back from the psychological tests. I called
one time and Kristi had nicknamed me "Sane Wayne." Surely,
she must have looked at the wrong results!
The next step was a telephone interview with someone named
Terry Neuman. Sure, no problem. I have a few minutes to
talk to her. Have her call me. Well, she did and a few minutes
wouldn't even come close to the length of our conversation.
She was such a nice person to talk to. She seemed very professional
and made me feel professional as well. I believe we had
a couple of conversations before I was asked to fly to Dallas
for a breakfast interview. I would be joining Terry, Cyndi,
and Cynthia for a breakfast meeting. It was wonderful. They
gave me the opportunity to ask them any question I had on
my mind. Of course, after they had asked me what were my
weaknesses, I had to return the favor. So I asked Cynthia,
"What are your weaknesses?" The nerve I had to ask the president
of CDG this question. Well, it must have been no problem
to ask this, because Cynthia began telling me her weaknesses.
She also mentioned that we didn't have all day to discuss
all of them (now, I really think she made most of them up).
The next thing I knew, I was at the home office, having
been told to sit alone in Terry's office while they discussed
me (gulp). So I sat there and waited. How embarrassing it
would be if they were to come back and say, No, thanks,
you are not what we are looking for. After all, I had already
decided on my plane trip down that I felt like I was coming
home. I had the best feeling about going to this interview.
I was going to accept no matter what the offer was (well,
not exactly). But to make a long story a little bit shorter,
Terry came back and made me an offer I couldn't refuse (perhaps
she was part of the Mafia at one time?). I immediately accepted.
I think I may have even surprised them a little (that's
me, full of surprises).
I was on cloud nine. I couldn't believe it. I was actually
going to be part of CDG & Associates. Wow! Now all I
had to do was go back home and resign. Easy part, huh? I
had four weeks before I would be coming back to Dallas for
training. What a horrible time it was. No one could believe
that I would actually leave. There were some congratulations,
but also many tears. Some of the employees couldn't even
talk to me without crying. Boy, did I feel rotten and special
(mixed feelings). However, the management wasn't quite as
tearful. This helped me get through the weeks of waiting.
I couldn't wait until my first day at CDG.
Well, the time did pass. I started at CDG. Then the fun
began. During the first few weeks, I only decided to quit
two or three times. What had I gotten myself into? Being
a pretty upfront and honest guy, I decided it was time to
tell management that I was quitting. They listened, and
of course, talked me out of it. The very fact that they
were willing to listen gave me yet another reason why I
didn't want to leave. They cared about me and about the
way I was feeling. Was this unique, or what? I had only
been with them a couple of weeks, and they really cared
about me, as a person. Seventeen years at my previous employer,
and I didn't get that.
Needless to say, things have improved. Working at CDG &
Associates with Pat has been absolutely a marvelous experience.
And then along came Joan. I immediately bonded with them.
They both gave me pointers about being a consultant. I listened.
I learned. I grew. I felt as if I finally fit in. I also
liked the fact that I was billable.
I look forward to going to work every day. This is a feeling
that I had lost. I feel that I am truly part of CDG &
Associates.
I did come home.
If you'd like to find out more about what it's like to
be a CDG consultant, contact
us.
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