What is “The Beach”?
In the fast-paced world of consulting, there’s a strange phrase you might start hearing: "on the beach." Sometimes also called “on the bench”. No, it's not a reference to soaking up the sun by the ocean – it's a term for a temporary break in client projects. Consultants switch from client project to client project, so there will naturally be periods when you aren’t assigned to a project while you and your staffing manager find a new one. These periods can last a couple of days, and sometimes as long as a couple of weeks during slow periods.
Maximize Your Time on the Beach
Many new consultants think that being on the beach poses a risk to their career growth because they aren’t on client-facing projects, but you can grow through this time by investing in five strategies that will help you make the most of this slow period and be ready to tackle the next engagement.
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Increase Personal Branding
The first strategy to make the most of your time on the beach is to invest in personal branding through writing articles, creating blog posts, or giving presentations that showcase a specific expertise.
Develop a research project, pitch it to a manager or partner for co-authorship, and develop insights on industry trends, challenges, and innovative solutions to establish yourself as a thought leader. This not only deepens your industry knowledge, but also enhances your reputation and potentially opens doors to new opportunities.
Some creative consultants have also approached this by developing an internal podcast and/or blog where they interview internal experts to discuss new topics, ranging from Artificial Intelligence to Environmental, Social, and Governance projects. Creative approaches like this can be a great way to both increase your personal branding and learn from established thought leaders.
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Contribute to Internal Initiatives
Consulting firms often have a range of internal initiatives, projects, and research efforts underway. You can usually find these by leveraging your network and by not being afraid to offer to take on some extra work – people rarely refuse free help!
These include developing internal tools or programs for use on client projects, or they can be internal training that you support as a guest teacher. Most consulting firms have regular training for each level of the consulting hierarchy, and the teachers are typically experienced consultants on a break, sometimes with only 1-2 years of experience.
A lot of the junior consultants that will interview you will be on the beach, and that’s why they have the time to interview you!
By participating in internal projects, you contribute to the growth of your firm and have the chance to develop leadership skills and expand your network within the company, which leads us to our next strategy...
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Develop Your Network
Networking is a cornerstone of success in most industries and is essential in the consulting world. Being on the beach provides you with time to cultivate these relationships. Attend company events, workshops, and social gatherings, and consider connecting with Partners who might offer valuable insights and mentorship in the future.
Partners are the backbone of any consulting organization, so focus your efforts strategically to build relationships with partners that interest you, either because of their current career and clients, or because of their leadership style. On the other hand, remember that careers are long and networking with junior consultants will also contribute to your network and long-term connections.
Remember, networking in consulting isn’t just about seeking potential project opportunities; it's about building lasting relationships that can lead to referrals, collaborations, and invaluable career advice down the road.
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Invest in Self-Care
Consulting careers are demanding, and free time is scarce, but being on the beach is a rare opportunity to prioritize self-care. Use this time to engage in activities that you enjoy, such as pursuing hobbies, spending more time on exercise, or engaging in community service.
You can even combine this strategy with another and achieve some of the goals of networking and raising your profile that we discussed earlier. In one story from one of the MC coaches, a consultant started an animal rights interest group at their consulting company and developed a lasting mentorship relationship with a Partner after hosting a volunteer day at the local zoo. The Partner continued to support the junior consultant even after both left the organization.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance not only enhances your well-being but also contributes to your long-term career sustainability, a key element of avoiding burnout while you are in the high-paced world of consulting.
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Get Ready for the Next Engagement
While you might not be on a project right now, being prepared for the next engagement is essential. Use your downtime to review past projects, learn about new tools, and organize your resources. This ensures that when the next client project comes along, you can hit the ground running and make a positive impression quickly.
Managers will often notice when a consultant has been sharpening their skills, especially if you bring a new approach or method to the team that was not used before. This is the reason firms invest so much energy in providing learning resources to their employees, so use these resources as much as possible and bring them to your next project.
Conclusion
Being on the beach might seem like a pause, but don’t think of it as a standstill. Using these five strategies, you can make the most of this experience to both build yourself up and take care of yourself while on this break. Be intentional about your approach to this time and remember that the next project is just around the corner.
Additional Resources:
- Consulting Terms & Definitions
- Leadership: Where Everything Rises and Falls
- Top 6 Leadership Skills for Managers
- Consulting Resume: Complete Guide
- Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide