by Jan Malasek | Nov 29, 2018 | Independent Consulting, Uncategorized
The fast paced, complex nature of today’s global marketplace coupled with an increasingly tight labor market, presents numerous challenges for executives tasked with driving sustainable results. Corporations are often forced to move at a rapid pace despite a shortage of in-house staff, funds, time, and/or expertise. Fortunately, a cost-effective, reliable, resource solution leveraging highly capable independent talent has emerged that enables corporations to effectively address critical business opportunities and challenges for an immediate impact and quality results. Through specialized firms such as OnDemand Resources, executives can easily identify and deploy high quality interim independent talent matched to their particular requirements at a moment’s notice with no strings attached. Companies retain seasoned, high-caliber professionals with the exact functional experience they require on a short, long, or part-time basis so that they can increase efficiencies, manage organizational risk, and accomplish the goals of their strategic agenda. So why are companies leveraging independent professionals to deal with today’s business complexities? We’ve outlined five key strategies to accomplish a variety of business objectives. These strategies enable executives to make significant progress despite a lack of in-house resources or time constraints and are significantly more budget friendly when compared to traditional consulting alternatives. 1. Targeted Project Expertise: Scenario: You have a defined project that goes beyond your current organizational knowledge and/or staffing levels, An independent consultant with a deep background in the specific subject matter has the ability to move very quickly to help your organization “move the needle” and deliver better results a lot faster than you would be able to do it on your own. They are also a lot more cost effective than...
by Jan Malasek | May 19, 2016 | Independent Consulting, Uncategorized
The Wall Street Journal recently published an article stating that Alaska Airlines will be “keeping a very tight lid on” consulting fees as they begin their integration of Virgin America Inc. In the piece, Dr. Mitchell Marks, a strategy consultant and professor of leadership at San Francisco State University College of Business, states that leaving critical decisions to an outside party can sometimes result in poor outcomes and disenfranchisement from the staff. Since 2003, OnDemand Resources has held firmly to its belief that integrating top-tier independent experts with your existing staff, not only achieves more effective, sustainable outcomes, but is significantly more cost effective than traditional consulting. Click here to see how we helped a leading pharmaceutical company transform their procurement operations doing just that. To learn how OnDemand can help you sleep better, contact...
by Jan Malasek | Mar 14, 2016 | Independent Consulting, Uncategorized
Our team at OnDemand Resources was excited to come across this recent article from CIO magazine about the emerging “gig economy.” Citing the changing needs of today’s workers, the war for talent and other factors, CIO states “the number of workers hired as freelance or contract workers has risen in the past two years, and it’s expected to increase.” Since our inception in 2003, OnDemand and our many clients have long realized the value of an “on-demand” talent model: it’s the power and flexibility of having consistent access to just the right expert – when you need it. Finding the right independent talent on your own isn’t as easy as it may seem. Even with the advantages of social media and on-line job boards, locating the ideal resources can require a partner who has a keen understanding the industry and established relationships with the best independents. OnDemand can quickly and effectively help you source top project and interim talent at a highly attractive value while mitigating the engagement risks that come with traditional consulting or the limits of going it alone. Contact us to get...
by Jan Malasek | Jul 29, 2015 | Independent Consulting, Uncategorized
For the past 90 years a 40 hour work week has been the centerpiece of American life. This structure was necessary because it was the only way to bring people together to collaborate or produce. It was the norm and we all subscribed. But lately, that’s all been changing – and changing fast. Technology, a retiring work force, a changing economy are all playing a role. According to a recent study, Freelancing in America: A National Survey of the New Workforce, there are currently 53 million workers that consider themselves “freelancers”. These independent consultants make up 34% of the American workforce. That number will grow. Over the next 15 years 40% of the current workforce, the Baby Boomers will retire. Replacing them will be a challenge. Generation X is small and Generation Y, the group most familiar with the concept of independent consulting, has a different concept of how they want to work. By 2020 it is estimated that over 49% of the American workforce will be independent consultants. In fact, this exodus has already begun and employers are feeling the pinch. A recent Corporate Leadership Council report states that nearly 60% of organizations surveyed revealed that they are currently experiencing a leadership shortage. 76% of these companies are not confident they will be able to adequately fill these positions. This talent drain is inevitable and without planning, organizations will struggle to maintain a bench with enough depth and skill to ensure their firm’s success. In 2014, more than $1Trillion (with a “T”) dollars were contributed to the economy by independent consultants. This change in the way Americans work is,...
by Jan Malasek | Jan 29, 2015 | Independent Consulting, Uncategorized
Independent consultants are finding an increasing number of project opportunities that offer interesting assignments, sought-after flexibility, and highly competitive pay. In fact, many consultants and executives believe that being an independent consultant is a terrific way to catapult their career by gaining a greater degree of exposure to specific functional domains and industries, leading to a more satisfying and varied work experience. Additionally, specialized companies such as OnDemand Resources, have made finding the “ideal consulting assignment” easier and more accessible than ever. However, securing a steady stream of desirable contract work requires a different skill set and mindset from landing full-time employment at a corporation. To help guide your efforts, we’ve collected “best practice” advice from some of our most successful network partners, members of the OnDemand Talent Network. Their practical wisdom will help guide your efforts to- wards securing phenomenal consulting projects. The Resume As an independent consultant your resume is the most important document that a potential hiring manager will review. It’s therefore critical that you take the extra time to really understand the engagement and tailor your resume to satisfy the exact profile the client is seeking. When selecting specific examples to illustrate relevant work experience, describe five or six specific skills that directly relate to what the hiring manager requires to successfully complete the project assignment. Further, don’t just list what you did for a particular firm; instead speak to your accomplishments and the results that you produced for them. For example, rather than saying that you managed seven people and led a $20 million sourcing initiative, identify that your efforts generated over $15 million...
by Jan Malasek | Jan 29, 2015 | Independent Consulting, Uncategorized
The fast pace and complex nature of today’s global marketplace presents numerous challenges for executives tasked with driving sustainable results. Corporations are often forced to move at a rapid pace despite a shortage of in-house staff, funds, time, and/or expertise. Fortunately, a cost-effective, reliable resource solution has emerged that enables corporations to effectively address critical business opportunities and challenges for an immediate impact and quality results. Through specialized firms such as OnDemand Resources, executives can easily identify and deploy high quality interim independent project talent matched to their particular requirements at a moment’s notice without having strings attached. Companies retain seasoned, high-caliber professionals with the exact functional experience they require on a short, long, or part-time basis so that they can increase efficiencies, manage organizational risk, and accomplish the goals on their strategic agenda. So how are companies leveraging independent professionals to deal with today’s business complexities? We’ve outlined five proven approaches to accomplish a variety of business objectives. These strategies enable executives to make significant progress in spite of a lack of in-house resources or time constraints and are significantly budget friendlier compared to traditional consulting alternatives. Targeted Project Expertise: Scenario: You have a defined project that goes beyond your current organizational knowledge and/or staffing levels, An independent consultant with deep background in the specific subject matter has the ability to move very quickly to help your organization “move the needle” and deliver better results a lot faster than you would be able to do it on your own. They are also a lot more cost effective than traditional consulting alternatives. An experienced independent consultant is very well...
