| Topic Name: |
Consulting hours |
| Message Name: |
work hours |
| Date Posted: |
12/07/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I'm curious about a couple of things. Perhaps you might have some thoughts.
Does one's work hours reflect specific aspects of the firm one works for? That is to say, are larger firms different in this respect from smaller firms? Do you work longer hours on the norm at one or the other? Does it make a difference?
Also, do the hours vary for consulting specialties? My network. admin friend does much of his work in the middle of the night, when the system's of his clients are not being used. Do the differnces in consulting industries express themselves in their work schedules? |
| Message: |
I can speak of my observations at both a boutique strat shop and at a larger strat shop.
Work hours vary...
...indirectly with the economy. As the economy sours, work hours go up because the partners overpromise rather than lower price, and it's harder for you to find an alternative job (and hence to leave the firm)
...directly with the size of the client. Larger clients mean you spend more time in meetings, touching base with all sorts of stakeholders, working the bureaucracy, etc. And larger clients are more important to the firm, so the partners make sure that the work gets done right.
...directly with the amount of strategy involved. More strat = more hours
...indirectly with the amount of time the firm has been working for the client. New clients require more work to establish your credibility.
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