Don Straits - Dragon Slayer

For many years, when an executive loses a job, in order to show that they are still engaged in business, they create a consulting firm...albeit a firm of one.  Nothing new here.  However, over the past several months, with the recession and huge number of senior level executives in the job market, industries are overrun with consultants.

Unfortunately, the word "consultant" has almost become a pejorative.  A common definition can be heard everywhere:  "A consultant is someone who steals your watch and tells you what time it is."

This vast number of consultants is also having a profound impact on established consultants.   While the big consulting firms are not feeling the blunt of the impact, the boutique firms are facing major challenges.  The emergence of thousands of consultants who are hungry for business are driving fees downward.  The new consultant will bid on a project without a full understanding of the costs.  If they secure the business, they often lose money and provide services that are less then satisfactory.  This impacts the reputation of all consulting firms.

This contributes to an atmosphere where consulting firms are losing their credibility.

If you are unemployed and want to show you are still engaged in business, don't use the name "consultant."  You don't want to be perceived as just one of the masses and someone who just give advice.

Rather, you should create a niche for yourself where you provide a unique service that involves implementation and execution.  Become highly focused and be the best there is for that service.  Focus or die.

And for heaven's sake, don't name the firm after yourself and stick consultant after your name or in the title.  That is old school.  Create a contemporary name with an action title.  The name might also serve as a good domain name.

Off the top of my head, a business name something like"  "CorpAcceleration LLC"   Your business will be focused on implementing....repeat IMPLEMENTING...business development strategies to drive accelerated growth.  Your goal would be to land a contract to develop turnaround solutions and then direct the implementation until the company can run it themselves....or hire you permanently as their senior business development executive.

Here are some potential action titles for your new interim "make it happen" company

Potential titles:  Engagement Manager, Director, Crisis Manager,  Director of Strategic Initiatives, Project Manager or Director, Program Manager or Director.

Companies want to hire people who make things happen, not watch what happens.  Demonstrate that you are a contemporary, take charge, make it happen kind of exective