{"id":9240,"date":"2020-06-16T09:11:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T08:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/?p=9240"},"modified":"2020-06-16T12:12:49","modified_gmt":"2020-06-16T11:12:49","slug":"lockdown-consulting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/lockdown-consulting\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Tips for starting a new consulting project during Lockdown"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"669\" title=\"Starting a project in lockdown image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Starting-a-project-in-lockdown-image-1.png\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-9276\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Starting-a-project-in-lockdown-image-1-200x134.png 200w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Starting-a-project-in-lockdown-image-1-400x268.png 400w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Starting-a-project-in-lockdown-image-1-600x401.png 600w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Starting-a-project-in-lockdown-image-1-800x535.png 800w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Starting-a-project-in-lockdown-image-1.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/span><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\"><\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><h1 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><h1 style=\"text-align: left;\">Top Tips for starting a new consulting project during Lockdown<\/h1><\/h1><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Starting a new consulting project or joining a new project team is daunting at the best of times but many of our consultants are trying to do just that, plus make a good first impression during a global pandemic and lockdown.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">We have had a number of consultants start new projects \u201cfrom home\u201d over the last few weeks\u2019 so we took the opportunity of asking them about their top tips and lessons learned so they could hit the ground running on a virtual consulting team.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Martin, who started a new consulting project through B2E during the week that Boris Johnson announced the UK-wide lockdown suggested the following useful tips:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>Set up 30 mins video intro sessions with key stakeholders and colleagues\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>Set out clear expectations with your direct reports<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>Have regular catch up sessions to track progress<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>Ask for video training sessions\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>Expect everything to take longer\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>Take the opportunity to learn new skills if your opportunity provides them<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>Having the right tech is a must.<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">These ideas from Martin are a great starting point.\u00a0 The best way to overcome the challenges of working remotely on a new project could be grouped into: <strong>Creating a \u201cConsulting-Friendly\u201d Workspace; Maximising Structure; Communicating Effectively; Optimising Technology and<\/strong> <strong>Being Flexible.\u00a0 <\/strong>Let\u2019s go through these\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\"><strong>Creating a \u201cConsulting-Friendly\u201d Workspace<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Where possible, create a dedicated office \u2018room\u2019 at home with a door, to minimize interruptions and extraneous distractions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Also consider the ergonomics \u2013 you may need to work from home on this project for some time and many hours a day, so make sure your seat is comfortable and that your screen and keyboard are at the right height.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Work set times in your home office and take set breaks. The more structured and formalised it becomes the more it will feel like regular working\/consulting and not \u201cworking from home\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Taking breaks is essential for your mental well-being and subsequent productivity. Stagger these throughout the day and consider getting outside at the end of the day when you finish work to get some air.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #f39200;\">\u201cLaptop stands are very useful and can bring the webcam to a more flattering height!\u201d, said another consultant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\"><strong>Maximising Structure<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Work with your client to set up a structured induction schedule with plenty of\u00a0video calls with fellow team members and important stakeholders within the first couple of weeks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Take time to read any documents thoroughly in advance of your calls and meetings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Keep people updated regularly on your availability. The \u201cShifts\u201d functionality within Microsoft Teams is great way to indicate when you are available.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">When on video calls make sure that you are dressed appropriately and have a suitably plain \/ professional background.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\"><strong>Communicating<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">All of the consultants we interviewed for this article remarked that<\/span> <span style=\"color: #f39200;\">\u201c<em>Everything takes longer<\/em>\u201d<\/span><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">.\u00a0 In normal times at a client site, you\u2019d be able to ask a quick follow up question after a meeting &#8211; you may now have to write an email or message, which may not get picked up immediately or may be sent to the wrong person to answer.\u00a0 In a real world situation you\u2019d find the answer very quickly but in a virtual world, every small question becomes a much larger hurdle.\u00a0 So quick, instant communications on Chat Apps like Teams and What\u2019s App are extremely important in this new virtual world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Regular catch ups with your main client are more important on a remote consulting project. They should initially be set at the end of every day, moving to weekly, and then Business As Usual. \u00a0Open, constructive and honest communication is important from both sides at all times. There\u2019s a lot to be discussed and imparted.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Make sure you are extremely clear on your deliverables and the client expectations -focus particularly on agreeing outcomes (as well as \u201cways of working\u201d) with your client.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Check in regularly with your client and your team \u2013 maybe even more regularly than you would in an office environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Use quick instant communications\/messaging when you need an immediate answer but also pick up the phone!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">As a team leader\/ project manager consider setting up social zoom calls periodically to replace the \u201cend of week drink\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Will is a Finance Modeller who started a consulting project remotely for a B2E client during the lockdown.\u00a0 He advises,<\/span> <span style=\"color: #f39200;\">\u201c<em>Video conferencing on the whole is a lot better than I thought it would be. \u00a0Attend virtual meetings even if they are marginally relevant, you can always do other work in the background.\u201d <\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\"><strong>Optimising Technology<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Technology really is one of the key enablers here\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">If you have a new consultant joining your team, we recommend planning ahead to make sure all necessary hardware is delivered before they are due to start. Ensure everything is tested and in place a few days before their start date. \u00a0Factor in time for hardware to travel from the vendor to IT before deployment to your new consultant.\u00a0 The last thing you want is your consultant spending their first few days in the job going backwards and forwards with your IT team, setting up equipment and troubleshooting issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Reliable broadband is essential &#8211; make sure your home WIFI is reliable and <span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><a style=\"color: #f39200;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.metacompliance.com\/blog\/how-to-secure-your-home-wi-fi-network-when-working-remotely\/\">secure<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Assuming you are already armed with a laptop or PC, then it is useful to ensure you have all of the state of the art apps in your armoury for virtual consulting:<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Microsoft Teams &#8211; for chat and discussions and to \u201cfeel connected\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">OneNote &#8211; for note-taking and to capture ideas and information in different digital format<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">OneDrive &#8211; to share files and documents easily<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">DocuSign \u2013 to speed up and automate contracts and official documents<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Google Meet, Zoom &amp; Facetime \u2013 video calls will be key when you are working at home.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Which particular software and apps you use will of course be guided by the client but maybe they will be open to new technology solution ideas from you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Indeed one of our consultants Liz, who is currently working in the Energy sector, has the following suggestions to hit the ground running\u2026<\/span><span style=\"color: #f39200;\"><em>\u201cBe flexible in your approach, when you are onboarded with a new client remotely you won\u2019t have the easy in-office updates.<\/em> \u00a0<em>Ask questions and define a check list of what you need to do to get systems and applications access.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\"><strong>Being Flexible<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Although it\u2019s important to structure your day, you may find it\u2019s also beneficial to be more flexible with your time when working on a new project from home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Be honest with yourself and your client &#8211; do you have home schooling commitments, can your dog bark and interrupt you when you are working from home? Do you therefore need to do some work outside core-hours \/ have a longer lunch break to feed the family? \u00a0In the current environment clients are very understanding of these challenges so long as they are communicated and managed appropriately.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Free your diary and be open to video calls whenever the key stakeholders are available to talk to you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Be aware &#8211; you won\u2019t get quick answers to questions. Perseverance pays!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">At one of our large consumer electronics clients, several consultants have joined the team during Lockdown.\u00a0 Shailesh says,<\/span> <span style=\"color: #f39200;\">\u201c<em>Be patient as you set yourself up to work for a new client \u2013 and also be more flexible with your time<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Think about your visibility<strong>.\u00a0 <\/strong>When you\u2019re working from home it\u2019s easy to \u2018slip off the radar\u2019. \u00a0Think about which senior clients would benefit from knowing about what you\u2019re working on and send them a brief update. \u00a0Ask if you can dial into another team\u2019s meeting so you can keep up to date with their activities and concerns if they have an impact on your project too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #515d7a;\">Finally, if you are starting a new consulting project from home in the middle of a global pandemic and it seems a little daunting then consider the plight of our consultant Will who several years ago met a brand new client on Day 1 of his consulting project at Manchester airport and then had to fly straight to Moscow to close a deal\u2026 Consulting from home may seem easy in comparison!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-one-third fusion-column-first\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;width:calc(33.333333333333% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.33333333333333 ) );margin-right: 4%;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-no-small-visibility fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:40px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-recent-works fusion-portfolio-element fusion-portfolio fusion-portfolio-1 fusion-portfolio-masonry fusion-portfolio-paging-pagination fusion-portfolio-one fusion-portfolio-no_text\" data-id=\"-rw-1\" data-columns=\"one\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-portfolio-1 .fusion-portfolio-wrapper .fusion-col-spacing{padding:6px;}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-portfolio-wrapper\" id=\"fusion-portfolio-1\" data-picturesize=\"auto\" data-pages=\"1\" style=\"margin:-6px;\"><article class=\"fusion-portfolio-post fusion-grid-sizer\"><\/article><article id=\"portfolio-1-post-2188\" class=\"fusion-portfolio-post julie-crawford team fusion-col-spacing post-2188 fusion-element-landscape fusion-element-portrait\"><div class=\"fusion-portfolio-content-wrapper\" style=\"border:none;\"><span class=\"entry-title rich-snippet-hidden\">JULIE CRAWFORD<\/span><span class=\"vcard rich-snippet-hidden\"><span class=\"fn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/author\/natalie-collingwood\/\" title=\"Posts by Natalie Collingwood\" rel=\"author\">Natalie Collingwood<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n\n<div  class=\"fusion-masonry-element-container fusion-image-wrapper\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie.png);padding-top:calc((100% + 12px) * 0.8);\" aria-haspopup=\"true\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/portfolio-items\/julie-crawford\/\" aria-label=\"JULIE CRAWFORD\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2675\" height=\"2675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"Julie Crawford headshot\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie-800x800.png 800w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie-1200x1200.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Julie.png 2675w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 2200px) 100vw, (min-width: 640px) 1083px, \" \/>\n\t\n\n\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-two-third fusion-column-last\" style=\"width:66.666666666667%;width:calc(66.666666666667% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.66666666666667 ) );margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\" style=\"transform:translate3d(0,0,0);\"><blockquote>\n<p>About the author, Julie Crawford<\/p>\n<p>Julie is a Partner at B2E Consulting and has been working for B2E for the last 4+ years.\u00a0 During the lockdown she has successfully on-boarded several consultants virtually for our clients.<\/p>\n<p>B2E is a ground-breaking, innovative and employee-owned consulting company helping clients to deliver their transformation and change programmes.\u00a0 Prior to working at B2E Julie spent 7 years as a management consultant with Accenture followed by a further 7 years in leadership positions for Carlson Wagonlit Travel.\u00a0 She holds a 1st class Honours\u2019 degree in Marketing and Tourism.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":9276,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[110],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9240"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10877,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9240\/revisions\/10877"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.b2econsulting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}