Preparing for a new Salesforce Consultant role
𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟳 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟮 – 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
This is the £64m question, and one that is is frequently flippantly answered especially during interviews.
“Oh, you’ll be provided loads of support.”
“We have experienced senior consultants you’ll be able to ask all your questions.”
“You will be shadowing our A-team on the project.”
Hmmm.
Really? 🤨
One of the things that really bugs me is when #ConsultingPartners ‘assume’ that their resources have the bandwidth to ‘support’ a newbie.
“Surely you can just let her follow you around and let her ask a few questions? She can take notes during meetings. It’ll be fine!”
No, not really.
Many of those who are on projects have high utilisation targets, and find it difficult to manage new hires.
So, what can you do?
When you start your new role, you will need clarity on what’s expected of you.
If you’re green and inexperienced, then expectation is that you Be A Sponge and absorb EVERYTHING.
Observe.
Listen.
Pay attention to the details.
Apply critical thinking – why was that question asked? Why not this question? What conclusion can I draw from that confrontation?
If you’re being asked to step into a role that is beyond your comfort zone or your experience, please speak up.
I have assumed that you haven’t padded your CV by over-inflating your experience or your capability during the interview stage, because that will set our expectations of what we would ask you to do.
If you’re an experienced hire, you may be asked to handle a project that sits on the edge of your capability, because (1) good resources are always required for complex and interesting projects, and (2) maybe we want to know how you can handle problems that’s several notches above the “easy” setting.
You will need support if it’s an area that’s new to you.
Ask questions.
– What type of support you will get?
– What type of access will you get to the necessary resources? Make sure you book time in the diary up front, and try not to let those get cancelled last minute by project emergency (there will be many of those in consulting 🙄)
– If you’re asked to run a workshop and you’ve never done it before, will you be allowed prep time and are you able to run it past someone before facing the customer?
If you are constantly left high and dry, perhaps with your bum flapping in the wind – ask harder questions.
Why are you not provided proper support?
Is it because they are stretched, or under-resourced? (It may indicate lack of organisation If used frequently.)
The worst thing that can happen is when you’re exposed, and your company isn’t there to support you.
So… make sure you ask all the right questions.
Tomorrow – 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝟴 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟮 – 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁
If you’re a new consultant, you will need to know all about this, so make sure you tune in!
See 👇🏻 if you want to win a spot on my next Consulting Masterclass, and to read previous tips!
