Proposing a solution (or, playing Consultant)
My company builds websites and net-based systems integrating original technology. But we’re not an order house, we propose solutions.
That’s exciting, because it’s thinking work and you have the freedom to craft something which you believe would work best (within the guidelines of the client, of course). At the same time, it’s tough because to come up with a good solution and prove that it’s good, you need to be able to think clearly, grasp the big issues, see the opportunities and gaps and pitfalls, consider alternatives, and rethink and recheck. Consultants get paid big bucks for this (well, basically doing the dirty work for research and numbers). Me, I just want to get my thoughts organized.
So, here I am drafting an outline for an internet strategy and concept paper for a major newspaper company. And I’ve gone back and dug through my old INSEAD projects on marketing and strategy. Too bad our strategy prof sucked. And I wish I had my materials.
But, you know, looking back at those old papers, I remember those days of sitting in a cube and arguing with my groupmates, and I’m suddenly very nostalgic. I don’t think I miss the people as much as I miss the feelings I had then…
