The Indiana logistics client wrapped their six-month implementation support period in October. The check-out call was good: three of the eight recommendations fully implemented, three partially underway, two stalled because of personnel changes. That is an average outcome, which means it was a good engagement. An exceptional outcome would have required organizational conditions that were not in place. An average outcome with a growing practice and several strong references is exactly right.
Two new referrals have come in since the Northbridge follow-on, both from the facilities coordination world. Linda apparently mentioned me to a contact. This is how practices grow: one person who sees the work and mentions it to someone who mentions it to someone. The directory matters. The reputation matters. The directory gets people in the door and the reputation keeps the door open.
I am in a good position. The position is the result of two years of careful work and also of being findable when someone was looking. Both things had to be true. I made sure both things were true.
The kitchen table is still my primary workspace. The second bedroom office is where I take calls. I still go for walks when I am thinking through something complicated. I wear regular clothes most of the time and I do not have a commute. The shape of independent consulting looks, from the outside, like a person who is not working, if you don’t look carefully.
Daniel’s family looks carefully now. So does Daniel.
Everyone who should see the work can see it. I intend to keep it visible.