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What is it like to be a contract executive?

Guest post by: The Osborne Group

Article Overview: Sheila Hamilton, Managing Principal explains what it is like to be a contract executive.

What is it like to be a contract executive?



For many people, the thought of trying to make a living not going to a job every day is a terrifying thing. For contract executives, we love the idea of doing different things all of the time. Of course you have to be good at making connections with people – at listening to them talk about the challenges that they are facing, to keeping in touch, to understanding that you will be far more successful if you try to build relationships with people rather than trying to “sell your services”. I love the thrill of starting work with a new client. There is so much to learn about how they operate, what challenges lie before the surface, who in the organization really has the power, etc. At the same time, I need to be delivering value to them the moment that I walk in the door because they aren’t paying me to learn, they are paying to get something that they need. Being flexible with your client is essential.

And I also like the flexibility of not having a set schedule. This allows me to get involved in volunteer work that I find fulfilling and challenging, and to have some balance between work and leisure time. To earn this flexibility means that I look at my work week as being 7 days, most of which are 12 hours or more. But the big difference compared to when I was working as an employee is that how I spend my time is my decision and mine alone.

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Article Tags: contract executive, osborne group



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Re: Did you buy into the iPhone 3G craze? - Kevin, Doesnt Telus have good promotions for their long standing customers?? I got my Pearl for virtually nothing because I had been with Rogers for like 10 years.... I also just added a new phone to my contract and bought the new Razor for $50?? Perhaps you can jump up and down and threaten to move your contract?? good luck J
Your Riskiest Business Decision - Greetings All I was just thinking about my own Graphic Design business and how I've made risky decisions in the past. One of these decisions involved taking on a long term, full time contract at the expense of losing new and existing clients for the next 2 years, as well as having to satisfy existing clients on the weekends. Would the contract kill my entire freelance business after 2 years? Would it be worth it? As I'm nearing the end of the 2 year contract and I would have to say that it's paid off. This is because I managed to run my own business on the side (weekends) to retain most of my existing clients so when/if I decide to go back to full time freelancing I won't have to start from the beginning again. In saying this I would like to know of any risky business decisions that you have made and whether it paid off or not? My 2 year contract decision did pay off but I also lost two good clients because I did not have the time to efficiently satisfy their requests.
Euphemism for lawyer? - [quote:2irdstnl]It is also key to have a qualified person draw up a contract for any agreement. [/quote:2irdstnl] Much as I dislike lawyers, it's a qualified laywer you need to draw up a contract for any agreement. Would anyone else be qualified to draw up a contract? I only ask because the phrase "a qualified person" makes it seem like there is someone other than a lawyer who can do this?
Re: what position to request? - Business Development Manager - is more or less ok... thank you. but I want something fancier... an executive position..
Re: Canadian Licensing Info - If I understand the question correctly what you are really looking to do is maybe just contractual. If someone wants to use your brand you can contract with them for a specific amount to do that, then you can tell them what they can and cannot do with your logo. So if you just want to lend them the brand charge them a monthly amount specifying that they are required to assume all responsibility and that anything they create while using your brand you get a percentage of. The cost of franchising you can place on the person who wants to use your logo you include that in your initial charge and monthly fees, you need to make sure that you include in the contract that the franchisee is completely responsible for their own liabilities. Make sure that they have the appropriate insurance coverage to ensure that you are covered. If you are not sure talk to a broker and they will provide you the information that you need to share with your potential franchisees. Deborah


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