Reposting for my good friend Ben. Original post on my D Street page - Memorial Day, 2009.
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For the first time in my career, I will see a good friend leave from the time I interviewed him in B-school, through the time he's worked with me at a client, to the time he moves on.
You learn a lot about people in this business. Granted, the situation is compounded by this down economy, but one of the things that I've learned is be aware of how you manage people - they may be your clients one day.
In this case, the Sr. Consultant that is working with me is taking an executive position at a $Billion corporation overseas. Watching how different people react to his good bye email or communication is interesting to say the least. The responses range from a superficial "keep in touch (because you may be a client some day)," to genuine happiness that he is moving on; to just plain ignoring him.
If you are on the receiving end of a variety of responses like these, what kind of reaction do you think you would have about the Firm's culture?
I'm intrigued by the strong alumni networks that the 'other' Firms have. I don't know what the statistics are, but I would guess that 75% or more of the people in our business don't get to the highest level (i.e., Partner or Director). In a business that is dependent on people and personal relationships, don't you think that we would spend more time standardizing how we treat people that leave on their own accord? It's a small world and that BA or BTA that is working for you could very well be that next CEO you are trying to sell services too.
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For the first time in my career, I will see a good friend leave from the time I interviewed him in B-school, through the time he's worked with me at a client, to the time he moves on.
You learn a lot about people in this business. Granted, the situation is compounded by this down economy, but one of the things that I've learned is be aware of how you manage people - they may be your clients one day.
In this case, the Sr. Consultant that is working with me is taking an executive position at a $Billion corporation overseas. Watching how different people react to his good bye email or communication is interesting to say the least. The responses range from a superficial "keep in touch (because you may be a client some day)," to genuine happiness that he is moving on; to just plain ignoring him.
If you are on the receiving end of a variety of responses like these, what kind of reaction do you think you would have about the Firm's culture?
I'm intrigued by the strong alumni networks that the 'other' Firms have. I don't know what the statistics are, but I would guess that 75% or more of the people in our business don't get to the highest level (i.e., Partner or Director). In a business that is dependent on people and personal relationships, don't you think that we would spend more time standardizing how we treat people that leave on their own accord? It's a small world and that BA or BTA that is working for you could very well be that next CEO you are trying to sell services too.
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