“Is it normal to work evenings and weekends?”
“Is it normal to have a ‘recommended’ utilisation target of 120%?”
“Is it normal to have to study for mandatory cert (which is part of my objective)… in my own time?” 😵
No it’s not. 🙅🏻♀️
Hang on… actually it is. 🙊
Many consultancies and professional services firms have normalised the working culture that does not treat people like… human beings.
That’s because of their revenue model.
Our time, blood, sweat and tears are the widgets which are sold to aggregate into the profit margin.
The Iron Triangle of Project Management applies here. 📐
That means that X number of consultants working Y number of hours per week, at the rate of £Z per hour will have a maximum yield X * Y * £Z.
And then you work downwards from there – with sickness, training, holidays, benchtime and other non-project activities eating away at the margin. 🍰
You can scale your business if you’re an ISV, as there is an unlimited cap on the number of software licenses you can sell (subject to infrastructure resources of course).
Not so if you run a #SalesforcePartner or other consulting firm.
Most end up treating their people very unkindly, and I know of so many of my peers who have exited this industry due to burnout and stress.
My mission is to help change the culture.
We can create organisations that truly values its people.
Not that fluffy bumf on the website – but one that walks the talk. 🦆
We can #BeKind
And still have a cracking good time delivering exciting projects with amazing people, to solve wicked problems.
Let’s elevate those companies who put in the emotional labour to make a difference.
They deserve to be celebrated.
That’s my rant for the day.