Do any other firms have really high utilization goals? When I was in audit as a senior associate, my goal was 87%. Which made sense because we had busy season to make up our hours.

Now, a consultant, my company has a 95% utilization goal. But I did the math and it’s only ~13 days of PTO/sick/any other unbillable hours? And the handbook says take a MINIMUM of 3 weeks? Also 30% of our bonuses is based on whether we hit our utilization goal. Am I missing something? Anyone else have experience?

Ratings on three projects - 3,2,2. Utilization - 90%... Proposal hours - 15... Firm activities - 43 hrs... I then get a YE rating of 4 😕 ... How worried I should be regarding the layoffs???

Maybe this sounds privileged.. or plain dumb... I just got back from a really fun vacation and I’m sad! Guess i got the “back to real life” blues. How do I get back to my happy self!??

COO’s & previous SR. account executives…

I made it to regional manager for a franchise by age 22. Ran a successful financial practice & sold by the age of 33. Took 2 years off and built a health & wellness coaching platform for my wife (medical provider). Then, the last 2.5 yrs, have been a top producer in Saas sales as a senior account executive. I’ve been told I would make a great COO someday and I’m ready to take the next step into leadership. Who/what should I be targeting next?

For all you retail people...are you experiencing a very slow holiday season? I am a retail manager and I feel like this season has been freakishly slow. I thought we would at least match last year's number or be up a little bit but we are trending down. I talked to employees of other stores in the mall and they are saying the same thing. Is anyone else experiencing this in their market?

I’m cracking under pressure. My whole team is overworked and understaffed with no relief coming. People are working while sick cuz we can’t afford to take time off. It’s always like this and I can’t take it anymore. Advice on how to survive until I can find something new?

Does anyone have feedback on working for Mercer Advisors? I see a few positions in the Rockwall/ Dallas area that intrigue me. I’ve read Glassdoor reviews- was looking for more in-depth info.
I have my SIE, Series 6 and Series 63.
What is the work culture like, PTO, management style? Thanks!

Looking to buy a vacation home on the west coast not in a major city. West coast so it doesn’t take too long to get there. Could consider other areas, but don’t want to spend too much time traveling there. Budget is under $700k for 3 bedroom, at least 2k sqft. Any ideas?

I was recently promoted, and now part of my team report to me. I'm now able to see their pay rates and I am honestly so disappointed in the company. Especially since we just gave annual raises in Feb, plus we can all see where the money is going and it's not to the employees. Makes me sick

I wanted to get your thoughts on the following:
1. Health Insurance for your parents (assuming they are 60+)
2. Term life options for myself (under 30)

I recently went through a medical family emergency and realised how important insurance is. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Are there any lawyers that moved to healthcare tech (non-legal related positions)? That would include medical devices, AI, robotics, etc. Would love to learn from your experience.

Parents always wanted me to become a doctor, so did I. However, did not do very well around blood. :))

Thank you!

Made M1 this year.Advisory practice. Secret to fast track SM? Utilization vs Selling work what should be the focus? Any tips who made M1 to SM within 3 years?

She doesn't know the real reason why I'm lukewarm about kids: I don't think she's matured enough. I'm trying to plan for retirement and a house, but all she wants is her next overseas vacation

Hi everyone! I am working with my HR to improve our maternity/paternity leave policy. Currently I only get 2 weeks fully paid and then an additional 8-12 weeks at 60% pay (short term disability). I need some examples of companies with less than 100 employees and what your maternity/paternity policy is. Please include company name! Thanks!!!

Misled on Maternity Leave Policy. I found out I only get 4 weeks pay for maternity leave (STD +“sick days”). I will take 12 weeks but wont get paid for 8 weeks. I work for a US, west coast based company in the tech/VC industry. Their website claims to offer “paid parental leave and other progressive benefits for parents”. I didn’t find out until after I was hired their pay was only 8 weeks but since I have been at the company less than 12 months, I don’t qualify for their policy. Is this unfair?

A&M fishes ! Waiting for an offer from PEPI MAS today. What’s a realistic TC for a manager on average ? I know it’s very much dependent on utilization but I’m looking for average numbers that someone you have seen during your time at the firm. Lowest and highest in addition to average are appreciated as well 😊

I want to support our medical assistants- they do so much to help us! How do you make sure they feel our appreciation?

What are peoples thoughts on working as a disability assessor coming off a frontline job? Thanks

Fellow expats, how do you handle the holiday season in Singapore? There's no way I can go all the way back to the States for Christmas, and I'm already feeling the pangs of homesickness creeping in.

Has anyone worked as a medical assistant for a temp agency? If so how was it? Likes? Dislikes?

When you're working on a deck and told to keep it simple but add more depth...

Why do some people get laid off and others not? Is it always utilization? Do people typically know they're at risk before it gets to that point?

Keep seeing sales rep and AE roles for various consulting firms (Deloitte / KPMG / Accn). What exactly are you doing in this position? Cold calling and selling project and firm offerings to various clients? Working with partners to generate leads?

How is the variable payout generally in Accenture?

Damn coinbase, I see you ;)

Has anyone used Productboard with Jira? I’m specifically looking to understand how you manage epics within the Jira backlog. Currently our backlog contains the child issues for each epic

What's the most fun certification you have studied for?

Salary range for associate??

Very specific to retail and/or hospitality in-house roles: has anyone found a good solution for predictive scheduling? Our retail division has one set of software for scheduling and one for payroll, and neither of them can handle predictive scheduling compliance issues unless they’re used for both the scheduling and payroll functions. I’m coming up empty on ideas for them to bridge the gap, but I’m also new to my compliance counsel role, so I would be overjoyed if anyone has suggestions.

I have one pro bono case that I kept when I left my firm to go in house. It’s a matter completely unrelated to my company and I have malpractice insurance through the nonprofit organization associated with the case. I’ve made clear to my client that I’m repping this client in my personal capacity. No one has asked me specifically about pro bono stuff at my company - if I know there’s no conflict of interest, is this something I should disclose? To whom should I disclose this?

If Arya Stark from GOT worked in advertising, she would be a strategist...

Does anybody know of Restaurant or hospitality groups that are good to work for? Looking to change companies but so many poorly run ones out there

Started as a BDR and got moved into partnerships within the same org. Comp was initially 75k CAD with OTE 120K CAD. New comp for new partner channel I am carving out, I am offered same base but guaranteed 75% quota attainment payout. Is this a fair comp? Would love any constructive thoughts/points on this. Company is in eComm vertical

Publicis Sapient for creatives?

what do you do and say to your PM if you can't meet a deadline? 😬

Question from a newbie consultant - What are some good online courses/ books to improve consulting skills?

Anybody at the Westin Michigan Ave this week? Drinks?

When conference goers come into the Sheraton lounge and are *blown away*

What are the weirdest reasons you have heard for people being laid-off? I have heard someone getting laid off because they missed submitting their time-sheets for 3 times in a year.

ATK Layoffs starting today. I'm hearing every practice but ATI will be hit in the next week. 15-20% of some groups. Bloodbath

On my flight home tonight, a "service" dog just took a huge shit in the aisle next to me. Literally 💩

Am looking at exit opportunities and researching FAANG. Curious to understand why anyone would join Amazon which has the worst benefit of the FAANG? Can anyone share what’s better at Amazon that I am not aware of? Amazon and Facebook on sites lined up in January! So researching now!;)

Anyone can share when did you start asking for projects if you haven't started the orientation/training yet? Time to spill the beanz

Anyone have a test bank for the Azure 900 cert or have any recommendations on how to pass it asap. Also looking into AWS cloud practitioner

Recommendations for comprehensive books on the finance industry? I want to learn more about investment banking and modern financial instruments. Got a lot of free time during this lockdown

White jeans on guys... Hot or Not?

If "room service" was a cuisine, I'd be a world renowned connoisseur. I'd have my show and everything

Hi 🐠 - has anyone recently applied for Global Entry? I’m trying to figure out if we get some sort of receipt—I’m trying to get it reimbursed by my company. Thanks!

Anyone hear ride motorcycles? What do you do with your helmet when you go into stores?

Case time! How many ping pong balls fit into a 747?

If a recruiter tells you they’ll get back to you next week with feedback after a (supposedly) final interview, is that a hint you didn’t get the gig? The interview went really well with some promising language, but I know things in the recruiting world can change in an instant.