I’ve heard two major themes to the Encore discussion as I’ve started to engage in this community. The first is around the ‘what’ in terms of area of focus for Encore careers. The second is around the ‘how’ of making the transition professionally and financially.
Any thoughts on the consulting path as a practical means to begin this transition? I’d be interested in learning more about consulting firms or models that focus on experienced professionals vs. the newly minted MBA.
The concept of experienced executives consulting back to local businesses is interesting to me. I know these opportunities exist in the volunteer world – but I believe the skills, experience and knowledge of seasoned professionals is worth paying for!
In addition to the ‘what’ and ‘how’ question, it also seemed to address for me the ‘where’, e.g., many of us are committed to our local communities.
Look forward to comments, thoughts, experiences and ideas.
If there’s already a thread on this topic, let me know and I’ll join that discussion.
Consulting as an Encore transition path
All professional talents require transformation each year to stay applicable to the global market place. Upon one’s retiring years, finding the mental challanges for motivation out weigh the need for monetary reinbursement. Thus an open door for exploring new applications of experience and professional insight provide undefined opportunities to address global or community problems. The path of transition must certainly convince the younger generations that our collective insights matter. I assume our insights will matter once we can respond to the fast food market of this generation. The quality of a thought must eventually be more valuable than the immediate response so often cherished. With the increasing speed of our information technology, a consulting BLOG or Internet service must find the rare moments of wisdom amist the many ideas presented. As a consulting path colleague one must find the wild flower among all the weeds in the field.
environs post
While it is true that the quality and creativity of experienced thought is more valuable than the instant gratification which typifies our society, I believe to encourage and reward such thought the meaningful and valuable thoughts which ultimately lead to beneficial actions should trigger compensation commensurate with the impact they have on society.
opportunity to build nonprofit capacity
Frank Mittin
Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits
Opportunities exist for retired corporate executives and other professionals to give back to their community, specifically by helping the nonprofit sector. Consider joining the Executive Service Corps (ESC) program. Chapters exist in many cities across the US and you can find a list of locations at the Executive Service Corps Affiliate Network website www.escus.org.
consulting as a path
I agree totally that the skills and experiences one gains in the course of a professional career should be marketable particularly to firms that are in the hybrid state on NFP/For profit existence. The challenge is to be compensated sufficiently well for the value one brings…...particularly since the entities that can benefit the most often do not have sufficient resources.
A possible consideration is the consolidating or confederating a small group of multi-discipline experienced folks so as to offer services across the nature of a going concern….........i.e. form a consultancy