4 ms·

I agree with the author, and would add/modify a few things. If you're successful as a consultant, you'll soon discover economic incentives steering you towards

I agree with the author, and would add/modify a few things. If you're successful as a consultant, you'll soon discover economic incentives steering you towards an established business model, which can take some of the thrill out of it. By far the most valuable experience has been meeting people at all levels of an organization without being a part of their power hierarchy. When you're a neutral third party who has suddenly appeared in their daily routine, conversations go differently and people open up more. The company founder seeks your opinion about what direction to take the company--even when the question is far outside your scope of expertise. The forklift driver tells you of problems he dares not reveal to his manager. And the HR director, feared by many, turns out to be the best advocate for those who run the other way when she is near.

vncecartersknee 5y ago
what do you mean by "And the HR director, feared by many, turns out to be the best advocate for those who run the other way when she is near." ?
- sidlls 5y ago
  HR is generally seen as being anti-employee, in the sense that the reason they exist is to protect the company (legally speaking) by managing its relationships, benefits, compensation, etc., with employees, and this often pits the company's interests against those of the employees.
  - marsdepinski 5y ago
    It's quite silly for anyone to see HR this way in the first place. They get paid by the employer. Union execs get paid by employees. Figure out which is pro employee.
    - cyberge99 5y ago
      Human Resources mean managing the resources that are humans. Not resources for humans. HR is there for the company.
    - wutbrodo 5y ago
      I don't know a lot about the mechanics of unions, but are the salaries not paid out of employee dues?
    - sidlls 5y ago
      Depends on which union, really. Corruption is a real problem in some of them, and in others the will to fight is weak or state laws make them much less powerful.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

vncecartersknee 5y ago

what do you mean by "And the HR director, feared by many, turns out to be the best advocate for those who run the other way when she is near." ?

sidlls 5y ago
HR is generally seen as being anti-employee, in the sense that the reason they exist is to protect the company (legally speaking) by managing its relationships, benefits, compensation, etc., with employees, and this often pits the company's interests against those of the employees.
- marsdepinski 5y ago
  It's quite silly for anyone to see HR this way in the first place. They get paid by the employer. Union execs get paid by employees. Figure out which is pro employee.
  - cyberge99 5y ago
    Human Resources mean managing the resources that are humans. Not resources for humans. HR is there for the company.
  - wutbrodo 5y ago
    I don't know a lot about the mechanics of unions, but are the salaries not paid out of employee dues?
  - sidlls 5y ago
    Depends on which union, really. Corruption is a real problem in some of them, and in others the will to fight is weak or state laws make them much less powerful.
deleted 5y ago
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