I admit I was looking forward to earning all those frequent-flyer miles, but the attraction quickly wore off after a few trips. While at Gillette, I occasionally attended conferences and training workshops. As a consultant, I'm spending more than half my time on the road. It's a major adjustment, particularly learning to deal with crowded, delayed flights and late dinners in strange restaurants and diners. Tools, tricks and toys.
Some gadgets are indispensable for time management and communication.
These tools make time management easier, and reduce the stress of not having back-office support. In addition to various professional and cultural changes, the transition to consulting also involved several personal challenges. When I announced my intention to become a consultant, I was unprepared for the criticism I got from family, friends and colleagues. However, after the initial sting, I learned not to take their comments personally. I knew their reservations were out of genuine concern.