Simon has continued to grow his skill set. Call it multitasking. Call it juggling. Whatever you call it, keeping up with new versions and major paradigm shifts in the industry is vital. Some professionals in the database field, for instance, say technology paradigms can last as few as five years.
Internet technologies have an even shorter shelf life.
Finding time to learn while you master a myriad of client projects can be daunting. For instance, Simon recommends consultants spend four to five hours a week studying trends. That's 10 percent of an average work week. Then there's the financial investment. It takes money to go to trade shows.