It’s Thursday morning and I’ve just returned from a decent bike ride, enjoying the warm start to spring. It’s one year since I joined Stoke Consulting, and my life is so different to what it was. For the better.
As I watch people stuck in traffic heading to their corporate jobs, I reflect on a year of learning, getting out of my comfort zone, and most definitely being the master of my own destiny. I’ve benefitted from over 25 years in leadership roles in various industries and company types. I have enjoyed leading teams and celebrating successes as well as endured the lows of the not so good times. They all make up the tapestry of what’s required to be a successful and happy consultant.
After my last corporate role, I felt that I had a lot more to give back to the business and wider community. I wanted to impart my experience and knowledge to more than just one company. I had ‘dabbled’ in consulting as a lone practitioner and got a taste for the variety, freedom and financial benefits that come from consulting. When the opportunity presented to join the Stoke Consulting team, I had little hesitation. To be invested in a consultancy that has more experience, knowledge (and scars) than most consultancy’s, big or small wasn’t a difficult decision.
Having developed a good network of contacts over the years, it took a few months to reconnect and work out my value proposition as well as how being part of the Stoke Consulting team can provide a range of specialised services and solutions to common organisational challenges.
As my workload grew, I appreciated the support, advice and direction the other Stoke Consultants provided. It’s being part of a team but having the autonomy to find your own niche and contribute to a caring and very experienced team of consultants who all forged a similar path. It was comforting to be surrounded by people who had walked in my shoes.
The quarterly catch ups in Sydney or Brisbane allows us to socialise, share ideas, impart knowledge and improve the way we deliver value to our clients. Our fortnightly Teams call keeps us all up to date with what each other is working on and share ideas to help our clients.
The thing I’m most grateful for in the first year is the opportunity to make a difference in the community. I’m now a Director of two not-for-profit organisations and I spend time volunteering in aged care. Not things I ever imagined doing 12 months ago, and something that would be hard to do in a corporate role.
Consulting isn’t for everyone. It can be very challenging, it doesn’t have the regularity as normal corporate roles and the level of income you receive is solely up to you. (you can earn a lot, or as much as you need). Being part of the Stoke Consulting team has given me the direction, comradery, and strength of brand that comes with a successful consultancy. The benefits of being part of a team are the access to knowledge, support and certain administrative functions that keeps your focus on your clients’ outcomes. Ultimately, your success is determined by how much work you put into your network, ongoing education, business development and staying abreast of what businesses need to succeed today.
It’s now time to prepare a half day session with a new client to collaboratively map out their business strategy and growth plans. Something I’m really looking forward to. This isn’t a typical day, as there aren’t typical days in Consulting, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Osman Bahemia
Stoke Consulting
Osman works with businesses to develop and implement strategies for growth and effectiveness. Osman has worked in a variety of industrial sectors including aviation, mining, asset management, transport and marketing. His skills in operational effectiveness, strategy development, leadership development and change management propel significant growth and efficiency improvements in medium to large organisations.
