Could a Portfolio Workstyle suit you?
Finding Freedom: Part Four – Making a Big Leap to Freedom
When I was about five years old, my parents took me to California. We stayed in Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, known for its beautiful climate, abundant sunshine, and numerous swimming pools. I learned to swim quickly as a child and loved running around the pool. I was even tempted to learn how to dive—small steps: standing on the edge of the pool, putting my hands by my head, and gently leaning forward until, with a gentle push, I could fall into the pool, fingers first.
Different Fractional Models: Part One – Extended Models
When you’re working as a fractional executive, the primary model I recommend is the Extended Model which I call Portfolio Executive.
This is when you have a part-time, long-term relationship with a client, focused on taking responsibility for a particular capability—acting as the Head of, or Director of, a function for that client.
Building a Pipeline
As I work with Portfolio Executives in the early stages of developing their client portfolios, I encourage them to create compelling LinkedIn profiles. They should also post content regularly on LinkedIn and reconnect with their existing network.
Client Onboarding Tools
Over the last 10 to 15 years, discussions about the gig economy have become more prevalent. The concept of individuals working on zero-hour contracts, where a platform dictates their schedule, has gained prominence. More people are using platforms to seek employment, whether in food delivery or low-value knowledge tasks like website design and transcription.
Finding Freedom: Part Three – Small Steps to Freedom
When working for myself, I was willing to work absurd hours on absurd occasions because I felt it was all for me. But when I entered big international consulting and joined the Andersen Business Consulting organisation, I realised that they believed they owned you, in principle, every waking hour of my life.
Are You Joining the Gig Economy?
Over the last 10 to 15 years, discussions about the gig economy have become more prevalent. The concept of individuals working on zero-hour contracts, where a platform dictates their schedule, has gained prominence. More people are using platforms to seek employment, whether in food delivery or low-value knowledge tasks like website design and transcription.
Finding Freedom: Part Two – Are You Fearing Fear Itself?
It was a famous American president who, during the Great Depression, said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.
When I speak to people about finding freedom, they often mention various fears—reasons why they can’t, mustn’t, or shouldn’t do something. However, these reasons are usually just a reflection of fear itself. So, how can you examine and assess the reality of your fears? Allow me to outline the ones I observe most frequently.
VUCA and Portfolio Executives: Part Five – Ambiguity
In a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world, we are constantly faced with ambiguity. But what does ambiguity mean for us as portfolio executives and the organisations we serve?