Partner poll - is COVID causing you to fundamentally rethink whether you want to stay in consulting? Cannot stop thinking about using this disruptive moment to hang my own shingle and do something completely different - buy/start a small business. 22 years in consulting. Partner 7 yrs. Young family.

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Yes. 25 years in. Leaving to do something different than will allow me a more fulfilling life.

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Absolutely. It’s the catalyst for my mid life crisis. You’re not the only one.

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Another one here...
Tough times - and are they really worth it? More and more convinced they are not

Really enjoying spending time with my family rather than always in different cities and wanting to create real value to people, rather than talking about things

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As someone who has been on both sides, seen the clouds from both up and down (start up 10 yrs >industry exec 7 yrs >consulting 3yrs and counting), here is my perspective. If all you have done is consulting, definitely try something else... it will open your mind and you may discover a more effective way of building wealth. I see so much potential in my fellow partners to be Fortune 100 execs or business owners. If it doesn’t work out, you can always boomerang with a better network and new found appreciation for your current job.

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Same with me. 25 years in with 14 as partner. i am close to full retirement but this situation has confirmed decision to leave my firm early at 58. i would do it at 56 if i could financially. Plan to do something related to coaching and counseling ...

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Given broader market conditions, I think the smart move is to ride this out first. Not sure how the job market is looking. Any ideas ?

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So what is everyone thinking of doing? Move to industry? Follow a passion (e.g. start a nonprofit)? Become a Home Depot greeter? I love the time spent with my young family but do wonder if I'll miss the dynamic client interactions and even the travel.

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Buy and hold. Long term rental cash flow.

If I have to go back to traveling weekly, then I’m out. The time spent at home has made me reassess choices.

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Yes!

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I have a bit different view here. I moved from a ACN Strategy two years back to a smaller and niche consulting firm since I wanted some strategy operationalizing experience. However I now have a FOMO as I feel this is truly a consultant’s opportunity to be a part of building back better for our clients. As consultant, esp in digital space, we all complained how the client’s culture / readiness / acceptancd were coming in the way of success- which changed overnight!

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that was more raw than I expected.

Only question is whether the job market in 2021 will be any better than it is now. Right now, seems gloomy

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I think this is pushing me back into retirement. I came out to take a real challenging build-the-business role. If Covid is going to stop or slow real face time with clients, then I'm just not interested. As a 60 year old with lung issues, even the vaccine might not be enough to make me (and my wife) feel safe traveling.

I have enough money to go back into retirement, so that may be a differentiator for us. But I suspect many of us actually have enough.

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Thinking through downsizing has been interesting. Originally my wife and thought we wanted a 2 bedroom in town and a house in the mountain. We sold the big house, got the condo, then the kids were sent home from University.

Going to pick up a house quickly in the burbs just to get space.

If anything, Covid situation is making me want to stay MORE in consulting. With young kids at home, the driver of me thinking about leaving is travel demands. The new world is looking like a lot less travel.

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I am with MD1. I have never had better work life balance. Steady set of clients and two years worth of backlog being delivered successfully by a great team who also loves delivering virtually.

Only issue is impact to partner earnings that we are all facing.

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No. I think a lot of people don’t appreciate the grind and sacrifice of setting up your own business, or do some kind of ‘hobby job’. I have a very good work life balance (compared to a lot of partners), I don’t travel that much, most of my clients are local and I’m very flexible in my work approach to suit my family. I’d love to be a involved in sports or have a little farm, or own a business, but I’m realistic to know if I want a great retirement (as early as possible) then I need to stick at it.

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Set retirement date for age 54! Life’s too short, getting out while we can travel!

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Same

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100%

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I did it a few years ago to become an independent and now my primary job has nothing to do with consulting but I still do some as a side hustle. I love having multiple streams of income but working for yourself can be a grind like you’ve never felt.

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Nice ! Sounds like a good set up

Same here.

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