A NEW VIBRANT FACE TO MY WORK PROFILE
In my recent post on my Personal Blog I had expressed the concept of “Change is inevitable, but transformation is by conscious choice”. I put this to use in my role as Business and Process Improvement Consultant to making a subtle shift in my role as a Consultant to a Facilitator / Catalyst. In this post below I will make an effort to showcase why this transformation. I have tried to make a simple comparison between the roles of a Consultant, Facilitator and Catalyst in line with supporting my transformation in this change. My Experience and skills will be further enhanced as I will be sharing more information on innumerable topics used in Business which will be a free flow of information for open use by the public without even having to employ my services. That in itself was a motivating factor in this transformation.
I will start with my most shared adage about my own personal experience from my own Book which is also available on Amazon -“The Phoenix Rising - An Inspiration for Introspective Re-Awakening”. This adage is so apt for my transformation and change of role. “Sometimes you just have to die a little inside in order to be Reborn and Rise again as a Stronger and Wiser version of you”.
It is possible that many may not see a marked difference in the transformation or change in my role per se the term or designation itself; which is true. The work content and delivery of my services would be the same but the way in which they will be delivered with now be more direct and with no strings attached whatsoever. It will be a free flow of information and sharing of best practices which I have experienced of the years in Industry.
Why the shift?
Over the years I had been an independent work from home Business and Process Improvement Consultant. My clients or rather I would term them as beneficiaries were small startups, work from home ladies with small home businesses. I treated them as my own family or friend and my work was directed to making them achieve success in their business. I put in every effort to share with them and build for them a setup that would facilitate a full scale operations in digitally promoting their work to the Market. I worked in a perspective of treating that business as my own and so to say worked on a BOT – Build – Operate – Transfer system.
I would build up the whole structure, operate it to a level that it integrates and works smoothly in all respects getting the desired results and then transferring the whole setup to them so that they can operate it themselves.
All necessary training was provided at all stages of each element of the setup so that they could handle each and every aspect independently. I was and always still remain available to them for any assistance or facilitation that is required.
This whole process involved all aspects including creating of their mailing setup, all related Social Media Integration; right from creating the respective accounts and integrating them to get the desired effects. To some extent; for those clients who desired it I would also guide them and even do a bit of their promotion activities.
However; over the years and especially with the recent advent of AI – Artificial Intelligence – and the slow transition of the general public to thinking that everything can be done by AI and accessing information on the internet, I experienced a slow degradation of the value for practical work experience and more reliance on internet based information or AI as they call it.
I had no qualms about their shift to the new technology, but found that they were distancing themselves from the reality, more so, their visions, missions statements were becoming more mechanical than emanating from the very bottom of their hearts. The human element and the value of hard worked experience of those who had gathered that experience by practical work was totally overlooked.
We do not understand that AI or for that matter even our own PC works on the commands that we have given them derived from the very practical experience that we earned from our hard work over the years. That experience became the inputs for the AI and yes with the use of technology we are making AI work for us. But we should never overlook or undermine the hard work and experience that went into generating that experience.
It then dawned on me that AI has started taking over the practical hard work that goes into the perseverance and concentration that a Consultant puts into developing a structure for their clients. The clients often felt or even expressed that “This is all available on AI / Chat GPT” so indirectly or directly indicating to you “What is your place here then”?
Without meaning any disrespect to anyone or any of my clients, in practical experience with some clients indicated that many of them did not even have a clear idea of what they want to do or how they want to approach their goals. They were relying on multiple sources of information from other business friends, family and innumerable sources who are always ready to put in an idea. There was never a set pattern or flow to the work. When confronted with the topic, some felt offended and even angry at the proposition of my even attempting to ask them or discuss that issue with them when they have appointed me as a consultant.
This became a serious impediment for my work and sometimes even could sour our valued relationship which I was not ready to accept. It is then that I decided to turn over a new leaf myself and take over a new role from a Consultant to a Facilitator or Catalyst as I may call it. How and why this change and how that makes a difference is explained below.
What / Who Is a Business Consultant?
Business consultants serve as professional advisors to help companies achieve their goals or streamline operations in a particular area of the business, such as sales, IT, finance, marketing, supply chain management, HR, operations, engineering, and security.
Who is called facilitator?
A facilitator is a person who helps a group of people to work together better, understand their common objectives, and plan how to achieve these objectives, during meetings or discussions. In doing so, the facilitator remains "neutral", meaning they do not take a particular position in the discussion.
What's the role of a facilitator?
A facilitator is a person who helps to guide and manage group discussions and activities in order to achieve specific goals or outcomes. They act as a neutral party who promotes open communication, fosters collaboration, and ensures that all participants are heard and their contributions are valued.
What is an example of a facilitator?
For example, a facilitator leading a meeting to resolve a dispute between two team members might begin by setting ground rules for respectful communication, then work to identify the underlying issues and help each person see the other's perspective.
What are the 7 roles of a facilitator?
The roles of a facilitator in a group are the activities a facilitator does in a group to create a safe learning environment in a group. They include; A motivator, guide, questioner, bridge-builder, clairvoyant, peacemaker, taskmaster, and praise.
What is facilitator skills?
One of the most important sets of skills for leaders and members are facilitation skills. These are the "process" skills we use to guide and direct key parts of our organizing work with groups of people such as meetings, planning sessions, and training of our members and leaders.
What are qualities of a facilitator?
Throughout the meeting, an excellent facilitator will be able to stay neutral and treat all participants as equals, regardless of power, personality types, personal opinions, or biases. This is a crucial element of facilitation that needs to be learned through practice.
What/Who is a catalyst in management?
It is someone who ignites action in others. That stimulus might jump-start a change in an inefficient process, spawn a new idea for a new product, or most importantly, effect change in others. Catalyst leaders are high-energy, supportive, forward-thinking mentors who spark action in the people around them.
So without much ado I now will be available to all on the same profile but in a transformed way, much to my delight. Let’s now connect once again in a revitalized association. Do connect with me on all my social media platforms and experience the new aura of my work. I am sure you will agree that sometimes it is much more prudent to let go off some extra weight and transform into a much lighter and vibrant form of yourself.
So let’s connect once again and I look forward to great times ahead. Do connect with me on all my Social media platforms through my "Contact Me" Page.
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