Christmas Spree

Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Well, the prices are rather amazing this year, given the state of economy.

As holidays approach, my ultimate gift question arises - what should I buy? It's one thing to shop for friends and family where I can let my creativity shine. It becomes difficult to shop for co-workers, teammates, and especially clients.

What is an appropriate, fun, yet ethical gift? My friends in the financial sector tend to disagree with me and last year their gift bags included goodies from Hermes and places as such. I am more on a conservative side and prefer to give gift baskets composed of items from all over the world (Belgian chocolate, Italian coffee, etc.), good wine, and of course boring but favorite gift cards from Starbucks. We all drink coffee, especially in the consulting world. Those who don't drink it, become addicts on their first 100 hour weeks project.

This year a few of my clients were interested in art and photography, so I got them books and photo-collages from their favorite art galleries in NYC.

In that Christmas spirit, I could not help but also get some treats for myself. Because of my hectic schedule and the fact that pre-holiday malls remind me of an airport during a hurricane season when all flights get canceled, I started shopping online.

Besides the traditional Neiman Marcus-like sites, I discovered a few online places that offer designer sample sales where a truly unique items can be purchased to add a twist to a boring business suit.

Sites such as Gilt Groupe, Rue La La , Editor's Closet sell items from Just Cavalli, Muse, Michael Kors, etc.

Gilt invite: http://www.gilt.com/invite/bachity

Happy Shopping!

Texting Your Way Through

We, consultants, practically live in a virtual world - emails, phone calls, text messages. Work around the clock and constant change of cities, hotels, suitcases does not leave much time for a face-to-face relationships with other people than our clients. So we use our creativity and maintain our long distance love lives via texts.

Who does have time for emails these days? I stop reading them after the fifth sentence.

Modern marvels of the cell phone technology created an easier way to express our feelings - through signs of smiley/sad faces, abbreviations OMG, TTL, and pictures sent via MMS.

Some of us, like my Bostonian friend, are able to even "date" over text messages communicating with several "significant others" all over the globe. A bartender she met in Colorado sends her kisses every morning; a surfer from California cheers her up with his careless hair and fit body in a surfing outfit; and of course a boyfriend in Europe who surrounds her with his eternal love.

How did we survive the dark ages when an iPhone was not an option? OMG, we actually had to face a person and express our mixed emotions of anger, happiness, tears, or joy. We had to tell our "sorries" and explain why we thought that breaking up is a better option than staying in this pointless relationship. We had to do many things.... that somehow now we forgot they had a meaning.

What is Dallas, TX like?

I have many stories to share about my euro trip, but first things first. Lately, I've been frequently asked about Dallas and what is the city like. I often say to each its own, and even though I have been living in Dallas for the past two years, I am not a big fan.

As every city, Dallas has its pros and cons. Life is definitely convenient here in terms of real estate and infrastructure. The city is trying to become cosmopolitan, so construction activities can be spotted everywhere. New areas are being developed in attempts to follow the northern style - West Village, Victory Park, Uptown, Travis Walk, etc.

Once a major IT hub, Dallas and its surrounding areas have been engaging in the medical, energy, finance, and real estate sectors. Texas weather creates a laid back atmosphere - seasons don't change much here - 2 weeks of winter, 2 weeks of spring, 2 week of autumn and hot, hell like in July-August, summer.

A few other points:

- typically, people do not walk in Dallas because of the long distances, so buying a car is mandatory. Most of the apartments come with a free parking spot.

- there is no state income tax, however, property tax is quite intense, especially for those who own assets in Dallas county.

- life is suburbia is extremely slow

- creative side of Dallas tends to be on a boring side. It seems to me that the city has got its brain, but its soul is still missing.

- there are plenty of restaurants here. The unique ones are usually located in the uptown/downtown area and other areas are stuffed with the chain eateries.

- what do people do for fun here? Eat, shop, watch football.

- a blog of a Canadian who is planning to move to Dallas:
Why I am moving to Dallas Texas

you want to get anywhere you want to go, you've got to do the same thing

Since I am getting ready to leave on my three week doing nothing spree in Europe, it's becoming almost impossible to focus at work. As a result, I spend more time reading blogs than talking to my clients.

I came across this article Why Goal Setting Makes You Cringe that talks about obstacles on the way to achieving your dreams. Most of us are familiar with an old cliche - sky is the limit. An ultimate question is how to overcome fear of failure and stop procrastinating? What does inspire and motivate us to reach the unreachable?

...Suddenly, my GMAT studying comes to mind...

I am not a good test taker. Add an attention deficit disorder to it and you immediately realize that getting an acceptable score is like hoping for current markets to stabilize in one day. Mix it with 10-12 hours of consulting work and extensive traveling and you get the full picture.

So, you can imagine - I was doomed to fail from the very beginning. But I had a vision. A dream. I was not willing to give up. I knew I could beat that damn test if I only study, practice, study more, practice more.

I kept reading articles, blogs, books; spoke to the world trying to solve my problems. Everyone gave a different advice - some scared me, some discouraged me, some were hopeful or unrealistic. I then approached it from the business perspective - I blocked the external noises and, based on gathered information, developed a strategy suitable only for my individual case, my personality, and my abilities.

Convincing myself that I don't have all my life ahead helped me to resist those sweet temptations constantly imposed by my friends during weekends. I knew I had to compromise, give certain habits up in order to gain more at the end.

100 cups of coffee and 10 cigarettes later, I surprised myself by accomplishing what months ago seemed so impossible. Now, I apply the same principle even at work. I always ask myself - what is the objective and how can I achieve it. If I really want to finish a project ahead of time, I know, I am capable. I might disappear from the face of the Earth, buried alive in the work load, but I will get things done.

At the end, it comes to how important your goal is to you. Dreams change, people change. It becomes difficult to evaluate whether something so important today will even matter next year. Assess and look at the big picture. Be realistic, as some dreams should remain in the dream land, while others should become reality.

Rambles

I suppose I should be writing about the turbulence in the financial world and its global effect. Luckily, the sector I work in is still somewhat stable so I can sleep at night. My Wall-Street friends are pulling their hair off in attempts to decide what's next for them. Just a year ago they were convincing me that finance is the only elite industry that accepts the best and the luckiest.

Indeed, I was quite impressed with their bonuses and extravagant life style. I must admit I was contemplating the idea of switching to finance, yet, being on a rather conservative side, I did not feel comfortable with doing finance only. Perhaps, it is because I've lived through two economic collapses - crash of the USSR and the .com bubble burst - that planted a "cautious" seed in my brain.

Consulting, on the other hand, provides an opportunity to get engaged in various projects, activities, sectors, even countries. Constant learning is what I value the most about this type of work.

However, there is a price to pay for such a fun job. Typically, depending on a project, a consultant has no life. I suddenly realized it while sitting at the hair salon, getting my hair done, and working at the same time. My Spanish hair stylist (who is brilliant when it comes to my rebellious hair) looked at me as if I just came from the Moon.

"You work too much. Look at your face. Dark circles under your eyes. Not good for a girl. Guys won't like that."

She was right. While it was fun during past year to take my clients skydiving, skiing, dining in the best restaurants with the most delicious food, I could not recall a single minute when I had time to sit still. In the midst of this rush I forgot how to be a woman and not run through pedicures, manicures, massages, and facials. I even started shopping online to save time.

Even worse - I had no memories other than airports, suitcases, random faces and places.

Exhausted, yet hopeful, I am locking my notebook in the darkest drawer of my closet, packing a suitcase, and leaving to Europe for three weeks!

Life is too short to be lived like a marathon, when at the end there are no spectators waiting for you. Life is too grand not to be enjoyed. At the same time, I want to see how the old Europe handling financial crisis, and most importantly, what will my Alma Mater's future look like.

In Between

Just when you start thinking that this world is coming to an end, watch this video (and no, I am not suggesting to run to the LV store on a shopping spree).

The words, music, and cinematography somehow creates a sense of tomorrow being a better day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5xCGZuvhWI

Interview Saga. Part One

An interview is like a first date without a cocktail. You select your best outfit and equipped with your best qualities get ready to play a charade hoping to score the next date with an interviewer in a gray suit.

I have been on both sides of the interviewing table. Qualities that impressed me the most were an outstanding performance and confidence (not to confuse with smugness). CVs of those candidates that seemed unsure of what they wanted to do with their lives in the next two years were sent directly to a shredder.

I realize that it's impossible to know what do you want to do till the rest of your life (and I do not ask such questions) as our constant progress affects our goals and aspirations. If, for instance, only yesterday I wanted to be a supermodel, today I definitely see my future elsewhere. But what I seek in potential candidates is the ability to succeed and be an individual, not just a member of a class.

I remember when I was trying to make the first steps towards corporate world while finishing college, I was invited to interview for an intern position with a leading financial firm. Back then I was still naive and fresh of the boat (my communistic background could be detected from miles away). My answer to a question - why should we hire you - was WHY NOT? It was one of those moments when you know there is no point of return, yet you do your best to get out.

I did land an internship with the firm.

So, real success is derived from our abilities, our strive, and passion and not from the association with a brand name or qualifications that can be learned in a day or, worse, can be found anywhere.

Years of professional experience is a relevant term. A candidate may be a veteran in his industry but lack the essential skills needed to be a part of my team. I look at the accomplishments, projects, tasks. Several of my colleagues slaved away only for a few years but achieved more than a senior manager during his long career.

The Games We Play

Q: Hypothetical situation: imagine Project Manager A lies about you b/c he hates you; Manager B who supposedly is your direct boss believes what Project Manager A has to say. Result: you don't get interesting projects, bonuses, raises, etc. What do you do? Who would you talk to?

A: There are some assumptions built into your Results. How do you know that is why you have not gotten interesting projects, bonuses, raises, etc. At any rate, I would talk directly with B and let him know there is obviously a personal conflict between you and A and you do not want to be judged based on A's accusations.

Q: I don't know that, you are right. i tried to talk to B to find out the details; however, my attempts were not successful.

A: Let B know the seriousness of this and you would like to talk to someone else if he doesn't have time

Q: Email?

A: Sure. It will allow him to think about it and respond at his convenience. Managers don't like to be blindsided.

Q: I was also thinking to talk to VP C since I used to report to her directly to find out whats going on. I am not sure whether it's a right approach.

A: It seems like C doesn't have much power to get anything done these days.

Q: All of this is affecting my relationship with others. For example, Manager G thought i was lying to him about my roll off date b/c A told B something that was not true at all.

Q: It seems that all decisions are done without any consideration whatsoever and are communicated in such an interesting way that if you are not a "chosen" person, you don't really know whats going on.

A: I agree. Our Firm is having growing pains and I'm not sure if they know how to handle them.
When you say interesting projects, do you have any specific ones in mind? I can't think of a single interesting project throughout the entire company. Then again, I don't know what all is going on throughout.

On Evaluations

Not long ago, I had to write an evaluation that was not exactly screaming - Overachiever and Super Star. A person I was evaluating was a horrible experience for the entire project team I was leading and constantly caused some sort of a conflict. I waited till the last day debating which approach to pursue. Should I be direct and blunt, or diplomatic and sweet - the question was constantly lingering in my mind.

On my lunch break, I was still facing my dilemma when a sandwich advertisement caught my attention. Juicy meat followed by a slice of tomato, lettuce, and onions (I hate onions) on a bun made me realize how to write a perfect review - positive statement followed by bad news, then a few kind words mixed with a negative example.

I decided not to send my evaluation but rather create a surprise effect by presenting the review in person and not allowing to prepare for an immediate attack.

A few points to keep in mind:

- be direct and to the point

- ensure you can back your allegations up with the factual statements and examples based on the situations you had to dealt with

- provide only constructive criticism that the person can improve upon

- careful with the choice of words, ensuring that your review does not sound like a personal attack

- be prepared to have a discussion with the HR personnel as the person you are evaluating might not want to sign the evaluation form or could complain to the HR

- do a little side research and learn whether you are the only one on this battle field or other managers had similar experiences with your resource. As hard as it is, try to find out the attitude of the project team towards the person you are evaluating.

The more information you have, the better your review will sound. The more prepared you are, the easier it is to deliver.

Fashion Statement - Dress to Impress?

The release of Sex in the City, the movie, opens a new chapter in the history of fashion. The movie promotes provocative and extravagant clothes and almost introduces a new dress code for a working girl.

I personally like a unique style that is appropriate for every occasion. Different industries allow or require different dress codes, and a skirt, suitable for an MTV host, will not work in the consulting world. Unless, of course, you have a different motive. Some refer to it as a liberation of the feminine powers. However, over the years in the corporate world, I have not seen a single man wearing a dramatic suit to work or a flashy top that reveals too much cleavage. Yet, I have seen plenty of women that succeeded to rise above their opposite sex in this area.

I find it extremely distractive during a meeting to listen to a woman in her late 50's dressed in a pair of white see-through pants and a bright orange T-Shirt that exposes more of her features that I would like to see. I cannot help but wonder whether she forgot to change her beach outfit before coming to work. I also tend to ignore her project related comments and consult with a more conventional fashionista.

After all, your outfit not only makes a fashion statement, but also speaks for who you are and represents your believes, professionalism, and a company you work for in front of your clients. Most successful women who reached the C levels on the corporate ladder favor a conservative style in their work clothes selection. Their corporate wardrobe is filled with black and white, dark blue, gray colors and pastel shades, occasionally sparking with a red scarf from Hermes.

Even Miranda Priestly, the queen of the fashion industry, played by Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada is portrayed as an elegant fiend in her fashionable yet conservative office attire. It is definitely easier to boss around or engage in unpleasant arguments dressed as a professional without noisy jewelry or flip-flops and a too-tight blouse.

Where to shop: ZARA, Banana Republic, MEXX, KennethCole are moderately priced stores that offer classic collections for an every day working gal. For those in the "first class" - boutiques and various designer stores (Armani suits fit great).

What to wear: suits, pants, shirts that are not too tight, too small or see-through. Shoes, preferably polished. No flip-flops or snickers unless your company allows casual Fridays and you are not at a client site.

Makeup: moderate; no smoky eyes, red lipstick that screams bite me.

Speaker's Block

In consulting, we often avoid the unpleasant situations with the "let me research your question in depth and get back to you" statement. I use this well-known trick when I absolutely have no answers.

However, what do you do in cases when you must respond immediately?

Don't be afraid, - suggested my manager on the way to a big meeting with CEOs and VPs of one of the largest mutual funds companies. - You will never be prepared enough to know all the answers in the world. Instead, you should gain mastery in presenting irrelevant information as a legitimate response to the question you are being asked.

I've been following his advice for quite some time during my consulting career. I usually have a few standard answers in my possession that I alter according to the circumstances.

This morning I learned yet another valuable lesson about how to react to the unknowns. I found myself almost in a drunken stupor with a twist of a shocked face when I was asked about American Idol in front of the entire Toastmasters group.

I don't watch all these shows, I don't know who's winning, what should I say - such thoughts were running through my head with the speed of 100 miles per second. The truth was - I was not prepared. In the midst of my panic, I forgot every single advice I had been given. I forgot how to fake it and make it sound convincing or completely change the subject in such a way that my audience will forget what the original question was.

As I was standing in the middle of the room desperately trying to find some words, I realized that speaker's block is not an excuse and to succeed in a consulting world, or any career for that matter, you must be well equipped at all times.

On a Dance Floor

I am not a person who enjoys an easy ride. Easy means boring and not creative. Challenging work inspires my core, sending my brain on a roller coaster ride on the Maui's Road to Hana - I enjoy its beauty and yet must carefully plan the route in order to not fall off a cliff.

Perhaps, this attitude was a catalyst to choose a consulting path as I was seduced by its dynamism. Those who see consulting through the glamorous prism are fools. It is hard, yet rewarding work with a twist of all nighters.

Throughout my consulting career in the energy field, I've learned the most while working on the exigent projects. I've learned not only the business specifics, but also the corporate tricks that help achieving better results.

Doing homework prior to the meetings always benefited me at the end. When I enter a boardroom, I take a minute to evaluate my environment and sketch a quick strategy on how to approach each person present. For example, I joined my last engagement when a project team had already been formed, the roles had been established, and the team has been working together for a few months. I was in a rather interesting position - I had to prove myself and at the same time gain respect of my fellow teammates.

During our initial meeting, I let others speak while evaluating the audience. If you carefully listen and watch the body language, in most cases you can determine general characteristics of those present - leaders stand out, pretenders tend to spin, and those who you really should try to impress assertively analyze you.

As the project evolved, the longer I worked with the team, the more I realized how accurate my first impressions were.

Areas to focus on while on a client-facing assignment:

1. Interaction with a client. Make friends. Establish a relationship. Make sure your client/users are on your side.

2. Your own team. Learn from the strongest team members. Do not be intimidated by those who are smarter than you. Take advantage of their knowledge. Identify the leaders and the followers. Develop a plan how to get the most out of each resource.

3. Look for opportunities in those places where others don't see them. Don't take No for an answer. Always try to find an alternative approach that benefits your project while making your clients happy.

I equate a project to a dance - someone leads, someone follows. One step forward, one step backward. And to the side. The point is to always advance instead of stumbling in circles.

Bossing Around

"Be sure you understand what your boss has ordered before you act on his command. What if you whack the wrong guy, or bomb the wrong joint."

~ The Mafia Manager

I have read many books on team management. The advice they all give sounds easy and great on paper. However, their methods are not always applicable in the dynamics of a ruthless corporate reality. I tried to use some strategies, but did not notice any significant improvements or the expected success. I then developed my own plan and utilized it while managing a team.

Here is what I have discovered:

Change the tactics if things are not working out the way you want. Leave the black box and think of alternatives to get your way. My friend, a typical Casanova, once said - there is no woman who would not want to dance, there is a man who doesn’t know how to ask.

Create a competition among your resources (even if you have to hire additional help) to let them know they are no longer irreplaceable. Such stimulation technique is not described in the resource management books; yet, it has an amazing effect.

Of course, it is well known that the resources should be rewarded when they deserve it. Work hard and play even harder. Everyone likes appreciation and a feeling of being an important contributor.

Try not to reject vacation requests, even if it means you have to work extra hours yourself. People have a right to take their time off when they need to (unless they are married to their jobs). Rejection might cause aggressive behavior of your employee towards you.

Proper vocabulary is always a must. First, do not give orders in a direct way. Nobody owes you anything, even though you make some significant contributions to your employees’ bank accounts. Send them to hell in such a way that they will start looking forward to the trip - states the unofficial definition of diplomacy. Second, proper language is a protection mechanism - there is no proof of discrimination, misbehavior, etc. on your behalf. Third, your composure will take you further than frustration and spite.

Do not expect your resources to love you. Do not worry about being hated. Make sure, however, to gain their respect. And that’s all what you need to get the job done.

I, personally, try to keep relations with my employees on a professional level. Even if we share a meal during lunch or dinner, I prefer to keep some distance. Typically, there is no such thing as true friendship between a boss and a subordinate, unless they have known each other for decades.

Delegate. Do not volunteer to do a task if you know it can be completed by someone else. You are the boss after all.

There is no set method in resource management. Each team has its character and soul. A good project manager should be able to sense the mood of the team and shepherd it in the necessary direction.

How to Survive in a Suitcase

“We have reached the altitude of 10 000 miles. You may now turn on your approved electronic devices”

My week starts at 5 am on Monday morning with a cup of coffee and a free doughnut at the Love Field airport. I often joke that I commute to the office by plane.

Consulting. I remember my naive imagination trying to seduce my logic by creating glamorous images of NYC skyline, an office right in the middle of Moscow, business trips to Dubai. Little did I know, and yet I do not regret a minute of working as a consultant. The job has been the best teacher I could ever have.

Of course, consulting is not for everyone. To succeed in this industry, one must have the ability to work under high pressure and stress. Work long hours, think fast and express yourself in a very diplomatic manner. Consulting is not for those who enjoy routine. Within only a week I could fly to several cities to work on different assignments. And if the absence of your favorite NPR station in the middle of Oklahoma can ruin your day, then I would suggest getting a regular 9 to 5 job.

Since I work for a boutique consulting firm, my assignments vary in type (functional or technical) and length. I might be engaged in an internal project one day and in a fully billable, client facing task two weeks later. Homework and documentation are two keys to a victorious ending. It is very important to be prepared and think at least a step ahead, if not outside the box. That way chances to end up in a silly position while trying to explain to the client’s VP why the project is very over budget decrease.

I also used to think that documentation is not necessary. And yet with time I began to see it as a fence built around my house; a strong protection during the windy lightning moments in the conference rooms. Documentation (including emails) becomes even more important when you are leading a team of non-collaborative resources.

Being a leader is not only about assigning tasks, bossing people around, and taking endless lunch breaks to shop at a favorite store. “With great power comes great responsibility”. Every morning while opening a door to the office I keep repeating to myself - remain calm. So far it has been the most difficult goal to achieve as I just cannot tolerate laziness in others.

Since business is business and consulting becomes a highly competitive environment at times, therefore, one has to be very careful when complaining about certain aspects of the demanding and unrewarding project. In such situations I try to remember that my naïve self might ruin my reputation and eventually shut the doors to many opportunities. I might not succeed in all fights, but my goal is to win the entire war. If I miss a few battles, I will only learn from my mistakes.

After getting everything you wanted out of consulting, it’s time to pack your skills and knowledge into a suitcase and move on to a position that provides an opportunity to have a life outside of work