Never Less Than Success

Career Tips for Aspiring Management Consultants and Accountants

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I got called out by a kindergartener for underperforming (and he was totally right)

my kindergartener called me out

I’ve had quite a few occasions to talk about times where I’ve had to do some major self-reflection on my career choice to go into consulting. There was that one time that my son imitated me by grabbing my carry-on suitcase and bee-lining for the front door (here’s the proof). Sidenote: isn’t great how you can always trust your kids to hold up a distortion-free mirror with a reflection of ALL of your behaviors.

And there was this other time when my daughter told me she was so glad I came over…when all I did was come home…from yet another work trip. It was almost enough to make me quit management consulting.

I got called out again the week before last. [Read more…]

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How to Account for Client Retainers and the Mistake Many Small Businesses Make

how to account for retainers

If you’re starting a service business, you may have concluded that it makes sense for you to charge a retainer up-front. When dealing with small business or individuals, charging a retainer can help you make sure you don’t get stuck with invoices you have trouble getting paid. Maybe your clients ran out of cash unexpectedly or maybe they decided the agreed upon work wasn’t actually what they wanted and refused to pay. In any case, work you perform has a cost associated with it so covering yourself to prevent losing money on deals is a top priority. If you can’t collect more cash than you spend, your business will face certain death, no matter how popular your offering. [Read more…]

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Keeping up with the Blacks

onion volcano

Tonight my family and I decided to go out to dinner to one of those hibachi style restaurants. We don’t go there often but when I do, I like to make the most of it. By that, I mean the lobster tail and filet mignon combo is usually my go to.

A little after the onion volcano – easily the fan favorite – my wife asks if I saw her text. I hadn’t so I checked to see why she was texting me from 3 feet away. [Read more…]

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5 Reasons You Should Be Proud to Ask Dumb Questions at Work

asking dumb questions at work

I was in this restaurant, home of some of the best pulled pork I’ve had in some time, and a noticed a sign on the wall that resonated with me.

It said “asking dumb questions is easier than correcting dumb mistakes”.

How many times have you been in a training or workshop or speech and had a question you wanted to ask but you held back because you didn’t want to be the person asking the stupid question?

Instead, you hold your tongue and try to quiet your curiosity until the urge to clarify your understanding passes. You can do better than that. [Read more…]

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What to do when you hate your project

Consulting Project Exit Plan

I can’t remember a time when I’ve seen so many colleagues leaving the firm. Some people are jumping because of a unique opportunity not available within the firm. Others quit go to a competitor (ouch!). I remember when I made a change to a competitor and there were a whole lot of questions about the why. Part of me just needed a change but I also knew that the firm’s timing wasn’t going to work for me, so I acted accordingly.  [Read more…]

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Life as a Consultant: The 10 Best Pieces of Advice I Ever Received

10 best pieces of consulting advice

One of the many things you learn in the management consulting business is there is no one path to success, so it’s interesting to hear what people remember as the most useful information or advice they’ve picked up so far. What better way to highlight this than to ask consultants from different firms what’s the best advice they’ve gotten. [Read more…]

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Are you the person who jumps or waits to be pushed?

Fall or jump

Last week, I had lunch with a friend who just left the firm to join his brother’s fast growing start-up. I’m sad to see him go but also respect the courage he has to go all in on the family business. The move comes with some risk and sacrifice, one of the bigger ones being he will spend a significant amount of time away from his wife.

A lot of people would say this could end badly for their relationship and/or their financial future. Those people would be mistaken and clearly missing a key piece of info that my friend and his wife fundamentally understand. [Read more…]