I was in the same boat not too long ago. I was aggressively looking for projects and had to be on the bench for a month. I was told that my criteria were too difficult and that I needed to loosen them (wanted <50% travel and wanted good projects that would set me up for promotion). It wasn’t acceptable for me to budge on those 2 criteria so I kept looking, networking, etc. Got one project (with a big account), delivered great results and now I have “zero / minimal travel” projects lined up for the entire year. I think part of this is because my firm has been selling more than the staff resources it has but the main difference was to get ONE good project preferably with a big account, shine and set up your own brand and work style.
P.S. : I am now considering to take an internal role as I feel that even though I am working from home, I barely get to spend quality time with my baby.
At this point, I only have 2 alternatives - 1. Leave Deloitte or 2. Take an internal role within Deloitte... a senior leader in the firm actually suggested I do one of these
As a client facing leader, it’s tough. I want to be home more too, but a lot of our clients expect folks to be onsite at their needs. It would be hard for me to promise someone 50% travel, although I’ve been trying to create something closer to that for my teams regardless of family situation (one week home a month and/or working toward two night weeks) but it can be really tough especially in the early phases of the project where the client wants to see what they are paying for...
I would like to hear from other leaders who have figured out client service with a lower travel load..
DXC only does 20-30% travel. It's all about setting expectations and letting the client know it's saving them money. Travel is mainly only during key points in the project.
I was top performer in my firm for 4 years. Accelerated promotions, strong partner track. Came back from mat leave and was in exact same scenario. Only projects were really shitty. Pushed for better work, ended up working across USA, China and Europe. Phone calls from 5am - 11pm and travel to two continents a week. After six months I ducked out and am now ensconced in industry. I am really ambitious but I just couldn’t make consulting work with a young kid, even with a SAHD to help. I think it’s an industry problem, not you. Client expectations are that we will be there, and that’s how you sell more work.
I wanted to give it a fair try. I was quite affected by Lean In’s mantra of ‘don’t leave before you leave’ and wanted to see what it felt like to be a consulting parent. I also wanted to show that I could do it - if I wanted to - and that I understood what I’d have to sacrifice.
In the end it was too big an ask. I grew up with my dad working abroad 2 weeks, back one weekend, and then away again. I decided I didn’t want to do the same thing to my own kids.
Industry has been amazing. I am four months in. I generally work 8.30-6. I go to the gym four times a week and am home in time for dinner and bathtime. I get to read bedtime stories to my son every night and have a solid 1.5 hrs quality time with him every day (vs no time at all previously). At the same time I am getting plaudits in new work - having been a consultant I am very efficient, so can get a lot done in a short space of time, and after so many years my slide work is very fast, so it looks like I’m producing a lot when I feel like the workload is pretty light.
The downside is obviously pay. I took a 30% base pay cut and my bonus will probably be 50% less. It’s somewhat offset by very good share options, 15% pension contributions & buy one get one free on shares. Our stock has increased +50% in value in L5Y so this could financially end up paying out more than consulting.
Net - I am very glad I’ve made the move. I feel like I have bought time with my son. I am very okay with having holidays at home and buying fewer pairs of Louboutins as a result.
I’m struggling with this even though I *am* getting the flexibility I asked for (minimal to no travel, just key meetings.) I’m on a client-facing project doing work I like to do yet I’m the only one staying behind most of the time, joining meetings remotely, etc.
I don’t feel great about it and I know I’m not having the same impact as I used to when I could pick up and leave with only days notice. For context, I’m a manager and I’m expected to lead my workstream. I don’t know what more I can ask from my firm, honestly. Feels like an impossible solution unless a) I’m willing to go internal or industry at least temporarily or b) outsource my childcare more than I already am
PWC2, guilt is a powerful depressor. You have to focus on the positives.
I bet you are there for you team through other means and are probably more attune to their needs because you’re sensitive to how much time you’re able to spend with them. I also bet that you use that time more wisely focusing on quality vs quantity. And I’m sure you enablement and give them opportunities to stretch themselves because you’re not there. I promise you, your team doesn’t need you there 24/7; they need you when they need you and as long as you enable them to reach out to you, maintain the ongoing communication, and treat them well and respect them, they feel good about your support. That’s leadership. It only gets harder as you progress but you learn how to manage through it.
The reintroducing yourself and your situation is frustrating, but it allows you to reinforce the importance of flexibility and letting your coworkers be desensitized by it. You’re helping us make this a non/conversation. You’re also helping us to focus on what really matters - results.
Finally, you’re giving a good example to your kiddos. Having a mom who is passionate about work but prioritizes them is a powerful message of love to grow up with. It makes better men and stronger more confident women. Plus, they will get older soon - travel will be a bit easier.
Are there women Partners with children you could get advice from? There’s a partner on my team, single mom of two children who is understanding. Maybe there’s someone at Deloitte to shed some light since it’s such a big company? 😰
:( I can’t imagine having to choose between your job and having a family. Know that this model isn’t the same everywhere. Here in Canada, most of my projects are local.
Find a partner sponsor to help you with this. Speak with your practice leader. If you’re a strong performer, we try to do our best to make it work. It may take a little time to find the right fit though - I would give it at least a month if not longer.
Alternatively look for other options - expand your search to broader projects (don’t be too selective), internal rotational assignments, other practices which are more local (on temporary or permanent basis), offer to help your practice leader with operations or chief of staff type roles.
Can anyone help me with the maximum hike Paytm can give on current CTC for product management role? Hr is adamant with the current CTC for the hike even if the hike is not as per market value!Paytm
Yep! Diversity and Inclusion is barely a strategy playbook! Who will execute it?
I was in the same boat not too long ago. I was aggressively looking for projects and had to be on the bench for a month. I was told that my criteria were too difficult and that I needed to loosen them (wanted <50% travel and wanted good projects that would set me up for promotion). It wasn’t acceptable for me to budge on those 2 criteria so I kept looking, networking, etc. Got one project (with a big account), delivered great results and now I have “zero / minimal travel” projects lined up for the entire year. I think part of this is because my firm has been selling more than the staff resources it has but the main difference was to get ONE good project preferably with a big account, shine and set up your own brand and work style.
P.S. : I am now considering to take an internal role as I feel that even though I am working from home, I barely get to spend quality time with my baby.
Thank you for this, really love the positive story and prioritizing baby!
This is why so many of us return to industry. One day consulting firms will get it
Yes PwC, all of us have this issue 😔
What does your PML say about this? Escalate under the guise of seeking guidance. Have you considered a rotation?
At this point, I only have 2 alternatives - 1. Leave Deloitte or 2. Take an internal role within Deloitte... a senior leader in the firm actually suggested I do one of these
Thanks! i will look it up.
As a client facing leader, it’s tough. I want to be home more too, but a lot of our clients expect folks to be onsite at their needs. It would be hard for me to promise someone 50% travel, although I’ve been trying to create something closer to that for my teams regardless of family situation (one week home a month and/or working toward two night weeks) but it can be really tough especially in the early phases of the project where the client wants to see what they are paying for...
I would like to hear from other leaders who have figured out client service with a lower travel load..
DXC only does 20-30% travel. It's all about setting expectations and letting the client know it's saving them money. Travel is mainly only during key points in the project.
I was top performer in my firm for 4 years. Accelerated promotions, strong partner track. Came back from mat leave and was in exact same scenario. Only projects were really shitty. Pushed for better work, ended up working across USA, China and Europe. Phone calls from 5am - 11pm and travel to two continents a week.
After six months I ducked out and am now ensconced in industry. I am really ambitious but I just couldn’t make consulting work with a young kid, even with a SAHD to help.
I think it’s an industry problem, not you. Client expectations are that we will be there, and that’s how you sell more work.
I wanted to give it a fair try. I was quite affected by Lean In’s mantra of ‘don’t leave before you leave’ and wanted to see what it felt like to be a consulting parent. I also wanted to show that I could do it - if I wanted to - and that I understood what I’d have to sacrifice.
In the end it was too big an ask. I grew up with my dad working abroad 2 weeks, back one weekend, and then away again. I decided I didn’t want to do the same thing to my own kids.
Industry has been amazing. I am four months in. I generally work 8.30-6. I go to the gym four times a week and am home in time for dinner and bathtime. I get to read bedtime stories to my son every night and have a solid 1.5 hrs quality time with him every day (vs no time at all previously). At the same time I am getting plaudits in new work - having been a consultant I am very efficient, so can get a lot done in a short space of time, and after so many years my slide work is very fast, so it looks like I’m producing a lot when I feel like the workload is pretty light.
The downside is obviously pay. I took a 30% base pay cut and my bonus will probably be 50% less. It’s somewhat offset by very good share options, 15% pension contributions & buy one get one free on shares. Our stock has increased +50% in value in L5Y so this could financially end up paying out more than consulting.
Net - I am very glad I’ve made the move. I feel like I have bought time with my son. I am very okay with having holidays at home and buying fewer pairs of Louboutins as a result.
I’m struggling with this even though I *am* getting the flexibility I asked for (minimal to no travel, just key meetings.) I’m on a client-facing project doing work I like to do yet I’m the only one staying behind most of the time, joining meetings remotely, etc.
I don’t feel great about it and I know I’m not having the same impact as I used to when I could pick up and leave with only days notice. For context, I’m a manager and I’m expected to lead my workstream. I don’t know what more I can ask from my firm, honestly. Feels like an impossible solution unless a) I’m willing to go internal or industry at least temporarily or b) outsource my childcare more than I already am
PWC2, guilt is a powerful depressor. You have to focus on the positives.
I bet you are there for you team through other means and are probably more attune to their needs because you’re sensitive to how much time you’re able to spend with them. I also bet that you use that time more wisely focusing on quality vs quantity. And I’m sure you enablement and give them opportunities to stretch themselves because you’re not there. I promise you, your team doesn’t need you there 24/7; they need you when they need you and as long as you enable them to reach out to you, maintain the ongoing communication, and treat them well and respect them, they feel good about your support. That’s leadership. It only gets harder as you progress but you learn how to manage through it.
The reintroducing yourself and your situation is frustrating, but it allows you to reinforce the importance of flexibility and letting your coworkers be desensitized by it. You’re helping us make this a non/conversation. You’re also helping us to focus on what really matters - results.
Finally, you’re giving a good example to your kiddos. Having a mom who is passionate about work but prioritizes them is a powerful message of love to grow up with. It makes better men and stronger more confident women. Plus, they will get older soon - travel will be a bit easier.
Hang in there and don’t be too hard on yourself.
Preach. Try switching to state/local or fed?
It’s not as easy as anonymously writing a simple statement, especially with Deloitte
Are there other people returning from mat leave with the same issue?
Are there women Partners with children you could get advice from? There’s a partner on my team, single mom of two children who is understanding. Maybe there’s someone at Deloitte to shed some light since it’s such a big company? 😰
I did. Believe me, when I used the word “aggressively” 😊 All of them travel 100% and luckily have someone back home who takes care of the kids
What skillset do you have and what market are you in? Are you willing to take a local client or are you wanting to be remote?
Healthcare, technology transformation, I’m open to all options - local, remote, moderate travel
:( I can’t imagine having to choose between your job and having a family. Know that this model isn’t the same everywhere. Here in Canada, most of my projects are local.
Find a partner sponsor to help you with this. Speak with your practice leader. If you’re a strong performer, we try to do our best to make it work. It may take a little time to find the right fit though - I would give it at least a month if not longer.
Alternatively look for other options - expand your search to broader projects (don’t be too selective), internal rotational assignments, other practices which are more local (on temporary or permanent basis), offer to help your practice leader with operations or chief of staff type roles.
Good luck.