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Go for it
I just made that switch to industry VP level and am much happier here.
Yes there is less flexibility, the day starts earlier, and perks suck - but you are valued for your thinking not for your sales capability, and that to me is hugely rewarding (I see myself as a consultant / thinker first, sales person a distant fifth or tenth attribute). Also I’ve learned more in a few weeks than I had in months in consulting - I think the opportunities to see new things are limited on the outside looking in, but I get to see how the machine all “clicks” together now.
I also think any detour into industry would make you a more valuable consultant bc of network and credentials. That door should not be closing.
I agree it seems to be driven by your direct and dotted line bosses. Mine thankfully seems to be amazing (like my early mentors in consulting!), but it’s a gamble.
Less flexibility during the day, yes - but for me also less travel. I’m fine with a more rigid 9-5 (or 8-whatever) if that means I’m home to see the kids every night and reliably can have dinner with them. In consulting I might have had more time for the middle of the day random break, but I missed more dinners and bedtimes. That really is role specific though.
I made the move to industry and missed the flexibility and pace of consulting. Industry is slow, rigid schedules, and also the quality of talent isn’t the same. Returned to consulting and appreciate the pace and people and flexible schedules even more now.
I moved to industry about a year ago with a 30% increase in comp. I have actually found more flexibility in the sense that when I take PTO I actually take PTO instead of calling into a critical meeting here or there while in consulting. I also find the demands are more normalized instead of always being asked to take on a +1 or +2. The main thing I see as a negative is the performance expectations of some more junior team members.
Yes, getting out of the constant fire fighting would be a welcome change. Talent is a worry for sure my hope is to get established and if there are real paths forward to use my network to bring in my own team.
Did similar and actually doubled my comp. Ran large sales org plus generous equity. Most of what you aim for works. But if you are going to be in sales, hours & stress will be similar.
The part of your plan that does not work is getting Board seats. In today’s world, that takes a CEO/CFO/COO role. VP or SVP will not do it and public companies don’t value consultants for Board roles.
Make the change if you have passion for it. But don’t do it as part of a scheme.
Thanks for this. There are some peers of mine who have retired and went on boards but I agree it’s harder.
For me this is more of a “nice to have”, I’m not too fussed about board seats now but if I do end up coming back to consulting I feel my profile as a Partner who has also ran large teams in industry would give me a leg up on my peers who have been life long consultants.
It’s all theoretical now anyways. :)
Continuing here (post length)
Looking for insight from others who have done this move and also moved back to consulting later as well? I don’t want to close the door to consulting forever but I feel I need a change and these opportunities to get into industry don’t happen all the time and I have to be realistic that moving over at the SVP level would be a tougher move (and frankly those opportunities are a lot harder to come by).
All advice appreciated!
I personally am seeking exactly that so if it were me, I’d take it. Just curious on comp - is it similar in cash comp? Most of the VP levels I’ve seen in F500 are still step downs in pay
My issue was always flexibility. I got zero from
industry, but no one works that hard. Also, vacation and other perks industry are fleeting. Kept me here, but I am close to retiring.
Yes, flexibility is something that is giving me pause. It’s driven by culture and your direct superior on the industry side so it’s something I will poke at via my network before committing so I’d be going in eyes wide open.
Not sure why y’all feel there is less flexibility in industry roles. If you are going in at VP/SVP level, you will still get to own your schedule though it maybe slightly difficult if you need to be in the office everyday.
Yes, that would be my expectation as well. There is an in office expectation for certain days which is fine, but I feel at the VP+ level nobody is going to care as long as you are performing.
Again, it goes back to the direct boss comment I made before. I know some of his previous reports so my intention is to do some poking via my network if we both want to move forward.
If it is a global company just make sure the hours and travel are manageable, especially if burnout is a driver for the change. Had a friend make a similar transition to a global company and the poor guy is traveling nonstop and on calls at all hours of the day.
Travel looks reasonable but I agree I definitely do not want to be a road warrior. For me once a month or less would be what I’m looking for. Any more and I’d say thanks but no thanks.