Consulting (was Y2000 Incentives)

[DAsmussen@xxxxxxx]

Hank,

In a message dated 97-06-03 01:14:53 EDT, you write:

> I ended up the Odysseus of the AS/400 world - continually moving from place
> to place just to keep what I considered a fair increase for my expanding
> skills. Eventually it struck me that in reality I was becoming a consultant
-
> or at least a long-term contractor - so I decided to make it official. 
>  
>  Anybody else follow a similar path?

I followed a very similar one.  With the exception of being stupid enough to
take an MIS Director ("real") job for a few years, I've always been working
for consulting firms.  I enjoy the diversity and, if you have a large enough
client base, it's like going to a different job every so often.

Since moving to the /400 in 1989, I quickly found that I could learn
everything possible from the staff of any company in 6-12 months.  After the
FIFTH consulting firm in my career went out of business due to gross
mis-management (coupled with the down-sizing craze), I decided that
independent might not be so bad -- at least if the company goes out of
business THIS time, it'll be MY fault!

Now, I hire reputable people on a contract basis as needed, and don't have
the hassles of managing more than a couple of full-time employees.  I
regularly attend COMMON and other training seminars, my stress level is
greatly reduced, I take more vacation than I was even ELIGIBLE for at
previous jobs, and I have better insurance and retirement!

Consulting isn't for everybody.  There can be a lot of travel involved, and
some people just like the idea of the "boss-man" (or woman) writing the
checks.  Consulting also takes self-discipline and maturity that many of us
"creative types" don't have.  However, I would recommend it to ANYONE that
thinks that they can meet the aforementioned criteria and recognizes their
own talent.  I would certainly be glad to offer any pointers to interested
parties...

JMHO,

Dean Asmussen
Enterprise Systems Consulting, Inc.
Fuquay-Varina, NC  USA
E-Mail:  DAsmussen@AOL.COM

"Laugh and the world laughs with you; snore, and you sleep alone." -- Mrs.
Patrick Campbell
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