I have been working for IBM my entire career and I love it here. I have been on the cusp of partner for 5 years now , beat my numbers every year, but I suck at self promotion. Hate doing it.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

D1. Didn’t think you were being rude.. I’m looking for honest, direct feedback.. so thank you for that. I guess my point is that I’ve seen folks make partner who are less capable than me in every way except the art of self promotion and “working the process”. I suppose I should just suck it up and do it ... but to me it just doesn’t seem right. Clearly a character flaw. Most every client and new colleague I meet is surprised to find out that I am not a partner which makes it sting even more. :/

like

My successful track record should be all I need, but thats just not enough. Getting other offers for Partner role at competing firms. Will break my heart to leave without reaching partner. Any advice?

like

Being partner is all about self promotion though...

like

If you can sell yourself to clients you also can internally - similar principles :)

like

IBM? They suck... jump ship

like

Qs: How long with IBM and as AP? Did you achieve all targets - signing, revenue and util for 5 yrs?

IBM1. Been an AP for over 7 years, met or exceeded my targets every year for last 7 years. Only fell short 1 of last 7 and that was several years ago. Performance is not the issue according to every partner and client I have worked for, leadership changes, etc has been a factor. Selling and Delivering with excellence while building long lasting executive client relationships is what I’m good at. No doubt in my mind that I would excel at Partner level. I’ve been here more than 20 yrs. I think I might regret leaving the company I love for more opportunity and $$, but I think it might be time to put “me” first for a change. Tragic really ... :/

D1 and D2. I’m sure you are right. The difference to me is that selling myself to a client means that my company wins, selling myself to my own company takes allot of time and energy that I’d rather spend working for my clients or helping my team succeed in their careers. That is what makes me happy. Promoting myself to new execs who “should” know their high performers seems to cheapen the promotion in my view. Do we really want a firm led by the best self promoters or the best consultants?? There has got to be a better way ... am I wrong??

I honestly didn’t mean to be rude. But being a good consultant at the partner level to me means being a good self promoter - both internally and externally.

It’s sucks but consulting firms are inherently selfish

I think it used to be different. Great client service used to be enough but that is changing at all firms

Coming from industry, can tell you brazen self promotion is important in Amy envir

*any environment at the right time

OP - have you ever been nominated to our Global Partner review board and rejected? If so, what was their feedback. If not, it sounds like you need to find a few solid partners that will vouch for you. What part of gbs are you in?

I never self promoted. I let others do that for me. Sponsorship was key. When I was a SM, I helped partners with their sales and pulled them into mine. They knew my value because we worked side by side. As my sponsors, they promoted me to others

OP: My impression is that making numbers only get you to step 1. Rest are all politics and getting right sponsors - performance has very little impart.

From a fellow IBMer. Assuming you are GBS / Sector, reach out to your industry leader or sector leader. Have a conversation. Also tee up someone who knows you and the industry leader or sector leader. If it doesn’t work you know what to do.

Related Posts

How is Capgemini invent for SAP ? And how it is different from Capgemini for growth and increments ?

like

What does a contract attorney position entail? I have been offered a position but want to understand what the real responsibilities are as opposed to what the firm/partners market it to be? Anyone here have experience working as a contract attorney?

like

Could use some positive encouragement!
I am pivoting out of a management/leadership operations role of 9 years and into a QI/Compliance role. It is a much needed change and career move/goal for me, yet I am having some undiscovered apprehension before my new start date of 9/13.
I believe everything happens for a reason, so I know this is the right path, just anxious about it. Thanks!

like

Hello fishes,

I need to understand hierachy in Optum. I got an offer from Optum for senior consultant ( grade 28). What will be the hierachy after senior con in Optum?

like

Dialysis nurse (chronic) here for 12 years. Trying to apply to a different company to get a raise. Living in Sarasota, fl. What should be a reasonable pay?

like

🗣️ #ASpaceToVent 🗣️
Making a career change is tough! Let's use this thread for venting, asking for community support and feedback, or just being witnessed on something that needs to be shared. A space to say what you can't say elsewhere!

like

What might be a better career path?

1) KPMG Data & Analytics - Tax Ignition

2) FTI Consulting - Corporate Finance: Restructuring

Both are above 70k in salary in MCOL

Im leaning towards KPMG... both would be right out of college, entry level.

likehelpful

Hello. Is the Nvidia stack (deepstream sdk, tensorRT, Gstreamer, CUDA, etc.) widely used? Are the skills transferrable and worth learning?

like

Is it worth to resign in this recession time ?

like

Hello fellow members of the Fishbowl community,

I am thrilled to have joined this vibrant and supportive group of professionals. As a new member, I am looking forward to learning from and connecting with others who share my interests and expertise.

I have been in the freelance web development industry for two years and have build a solid foundation of skills and knowledge. However, I know that there is always more to learn, and I am excited to tap into the collective wisdom of this community.

like

Has anyone switched from a traditional private credit role (3 to 4 person deal teams) to an independent sourcing / execution role (you are the deal team), also in private credit. How difficult was the transition? Any advice?

like

My employer is going on a hiring blitz and is offering new hires of the same position a higher salary than I currently have, is this normal or should I demand a raise?

likesmart

How is Ambit project in FIS for .Net developer ?

YOE - 7 year

Would it be a good learning project or not ?

Hello, I am in CA and am looking into the acquisition of a broker’s book of business, either in full or a percentage of, and/or looking for someone to partner with on that endeavor. I’m licensed in life, accident and health, and would prefer it to be that. If anyone has any advice for me on how and where to start, or anyone they’d like to put me in touch with I would greatly appreciate it

like

Hi Guys,

I have 10 yrs of exp. in Cust. Service, Sales, Business Dev. Customer retention in multiple industries. I am a foreign language expert with a simple graduation.

I am looking for some better career move.
Kindly suggest something considering I do not have any tech knowledge or exp.

What are the best consulting firms for PE and VC exit, please include boutiques not just obvious ones

like

Hello everyone, I work with GM as Production Group Leader/ Production Supervisor. I am looking to switch. I have masters in manufacturing engineering. With my profile which roles I should be aiming at ?

like

Hello Mastercard employees. I have been trying to break into MC for long now.

I have 2 yrs workex post MBA. I have experience in data analysis and consulting. But I don't want to get into consulting anymore. I am looking for analytics roles. Anyone here would be able to DM and guide me on the available options at Mastercard?
Location: Gurgaon

like

Please share some insights about work culture at PwC Labs. How different is it with Deloitte? What is the career level expected for a 11 yr professional.

like

More Posts

Does anyone know know a good recruiter for Boston corporate? Currently in NYC but looking to move. Thank you!!

like

Any good books/reads to learn aspects of Account Management / Engagement Management in context of tech consulting?

likefunny

Has investing in your blog helped to bring in more paying customers?

likeuplifting

Shaq is on the board of Papa Johns ??

like

Hi fishes, any openings for SAP consultant in American Express in India

like

Hi everyone,

One of my connection is looking out for opportunities in content writing/editing.

Skills:
•Content marketing
•Creative writing
•Content editing/copy editing
•Template creation/population
•Content search
•Proposal writing
•Business writing
•MS Suite/Google Suite proficiency
•Social media marketing

Experience: 5.3 years
Notice period: 1 month
Current location: Kolkata
Looking for permanent WFH for now.
If there are any open positions, please reach out at indranilbagchi90@gmail.

SOPRA STERIA openings who can join before end of Jan 22

Post Photo
like

Best strip clubs in town? Is it weird to hit ‘em alone? Asking for a friend..

like

What is the point of a savings account if year-over-year inflation exceeds the APY rate?

likefunny

Has anyone actually used Refermarket? Did you pay for it and is it legit? Quite a few people seem to be plugging it here.

likehelpful

Current REMOTE employees. What virtual team-building activities has your company done to bring everyone together and keep everyone engaged in a virtual setting?

like

Who thinks Betsey should resign?🙋‍♂️

likesmartupliftingfunny

So, some of my co-workers simply said that they want to go ahead and start something or start looking elsewhere (career change) because they don't know how much it will last at the pace we are going in regards to case intake and pay out. Should I start panicking or simply start looking elsewhere? They even they even told me if I was looking elsewhere or planned on doing so also. I found it weird in a way.

like

What time frame is used to measure our utilization metric? I'm pretty sure it's not our fiscal year, but sometime around April '16 - March '17?

I’ve suffered from workaholism for a long time. Thanks to a lot of great self help books and therapy, I’m no longer putting work on a pedestal and I’m spending a lot more time on self care and my marriage. But, unfortunately, I am now getting withdrawals, because my body is used to the daily adrenaline of throwing myself into work. It’s this terrible feeling of like anguish/unease in my gut, but I don’t have anything I’m worried about- it’s like my body wants to find something to worry about.

like

I want to enter TCS in SAP SD consulting. I Am not sure why I don't receive the call for interview despite multiple referrals.

Anyone here who can help to get an interview scheduled. YOE 7 years SAP SD

like

Hi Guys! Looking for refferal in HSBC as a Tech BA, location - gurgaon

Currently on notice and can join within 15 days!

Current YOE- 8

Any leads would be very much helpful!

Thankyou!

like

Hi,can someone help on the monthly cash in hand after all deductions?

Post Photo
like

What are the chances that PA with ctc 4.5lpa 2yoe who is on notice period gets a promotion and a on-site opportunity? How much of a hike should he expect if the on-site location is Canada?

Ik this sounds weird but i am in a situation like this.

like

Additional Posts in Partner One

How do you identify potentials in people?

Partners at KPMG, if you are pursuing a partnership, do you need to be an MD first? If not what are the key metrics defined at year end for potential partners to meet?

like

Does anyone have any insight into 1st year partner compensation at Strategy&? What is base pay?

There's a huge perception from the staff levels that promotions are largely a popularity contest. Perhaps this is a lack of transparency in the process or just burnt staff. Is there truth to this?

like

Big4 partners, do you feel the journey has been worth it when gauging by the variables of money, family, sphere of influence, and happiness? Or industry still seems more alluring? Thanks for your wisdom.

like

How early in someone’s career do you generally identify if a homegrown person is partner material or not? M and up or earlier?

like

PwC partners have any comments on the cohort model? A lot of complaints in PwC bowl arising from the disappointing adjustment and the constraints the model has imposed on career growth

like

PwC is getting a lot of hate out there :(

For the Partners and really anyone in a leadership position: how do you motivate your people to take initiative? i.e. inferring next steps and taking action without waiting to be explicitly told to

like

Can we be real about the sacrifices partners need to make in their life to get and do the job? I'm trying to gauge if it's the right track for me.

like

How did you all decide or land in your major? By major, I mean how did you go about determining your specialty or focus? Can you still keep some diversification in your work too?

Partners, do any of you regret not starting your own business?

like

Partners,

My firm is immature in guiding development planning. I have energy to accelerate to the next level of responsibility.

What evidence distinguishes an analyst as ready for the next level?

like

🎇What’s your biggest win from 2021?

Drop it below, let’s celebrate 🥳

likehelpful

Partners/Principals - how do you focus and continue to work at the same rigor, if you have made your numbers or 75% of your numbers? Do you take it easy or continue to grind/ work long hours as usual?

like

Then partner puts it in his pocket, rakes credit F that

Excited to say that in 2019 I am taking a 98% pay cut to teach high school. I’ll most likely use my $32,000 salary to reinvest back into the children in my class

likeupliftingfunny

Have any of you considered FIRE? I'm sure some of the partners are young and rich enough to retire. So why not say screw working until 60 and to hell with the pension? Travel the world and live life while I can?

like

Partners, what is your magic number (in terms of dollars in the bank), after which you intend to retire?

like
likefunny

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal