Less Tech Bro, More Hardhats

Hope everyone had a good weekend!
 
Everyone knows about consulting, mostly because consultants like to make it known that they are, in fact, a consultant. Not sure why it’s such a big flex to look like this

 
while bragging about being an expert at this

 
just to be at the mercy of the company that hired you while racking up an absurd amount of flight miles.
 
In fact, I’ve never really understood the upside of companies hiring them in the first place. The Big 5 (PwC, Deloitte, EY, etc.) cost a lot, require an acclimation period to fully understand the company structure and culture, and offer band aid solutions to major issues.
 
For many in the industry, it’s a means to an end (unless they make partner), after finding a good client and jumping ship to work for them full time.
 
Why not just hire people internally for the issues that need fixing?
 
But I digress. If the jetsetter life if for you, then have at it.

And I’m Half Kidding

 
Of course, there is a value prop to consultants, and the industry wouldn’t exist if there wasn’t a need. Short term, non-systemic, problems are best served by consultants. As is management structuring when an organization fails to recognize the problem themselves.
 
But what most people don’t know is that there is a huge market for consultants that look like this:




There are hundreds of consulting firms, boutique and international, that are well equipped for sales, marketing, management, graphic design etc., but if you want someone who knows the ins and outs of drilling wells or animal grade medical devices…tough luck.

The Consulting Gig Economy

These professions that rely on “boots on the ground” knowledge and experience are incredibly underserved as it relates to consulting opportunities, which has stagnated a lot of innovation and opportunity for those who work in these professions.
 
For example, let’s say that a startup has an idea for a device that cures cancer in humans and animals, but they need information on the ergonomics, application in the operating room, and someone to practice with it. I mean, those are all important things.
 
They have two options:

1. They can hire and MD or DVM from McKinsey & Co who was baited by the paycheck and good hours, is no longer board certified, haven’t been practicing for years, and charge and arm and a leg.

OR

2. They can find an MD or DVM in the field who is actively practicing.

But how do they even go about number 2?

That’s where it gets tough because those people don’t/aren’t able to market themselves. They don’t know anything outside the practice of medicine.

So, what winds up happening is the company will work through a university, cold email blasting entire medical and vet schools (leading to worse candidates) and losing some of their IP, or they find someone online through word of mouth.

Yep, they just find someone through word of mouth.

Startups will find someone who has been in the news or YouTube and reach out to them for help. This happens over and over again and can lead to an uneven distribution of opportunity, where professionals with any kind of notoriety will receive an abundance of inbounds and a lucrative newfound second income.

So much so, that they say no to over half the requests because there’s simply not enough time in the day.

Let’s Even The Playing Field

 
Someone should even the playing field, opening up opportunity for everyone. There’s plenty of professionals that would love the opportunity to consult, and could be really good at it, but just don’t know where to start. It’d be a win win, companies who need the consultation can get it on demand, and these “boots on the ground” professionals can earn a little extra money and notoriety.

What does that look like?

Well, I think it’s as easy as creating a vetted platform for professionals from certain specialties to join. And by specialties, I don’t mean within the medical field. Of course, there will be that, but also non-traditional subgroups like construction workers, landscapers, surveyors, etc.

On Uber you can find a professional driver in minutes. On this you’d be able to find a certified professional in minutes. And you don’t have to put them on retainer either, just pay them their hourly rate.

Like Fiverr, but for highly trained and highly specific groups, not just writers.  

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Final Thoughts

Instead of settling for a gynecologist to consult on something related to X-rays, or an Exxon Mobile for help drilling a well in your backyard, get the right people for less.
 
Who really knows, but a more streamlined, on demand, and specific subset of people could be a good fit for those smaller businesses unwilling to pitch out thousands for a non-perfect match from BCG.
 
That’s all.
 
‘Til Friday.