Nurturing Those Spot Opportunities: Never overlook the potential rewards of project work.

I just hung up from a call with an individual who is in the throws of selling off his company’s real estate portfolio and considering taking on a bank job. No … nothing as dramatic as the "Bank Job" as in the Baker Street robbery in central London circa 1971; something a little less spectacular - Working with a bank's construction portfolio. This is not the level at which he wants to ultimately position himself, but the location is right and it makes good sense for the times, because ...the times they are(n’t) a changin’ (at least not anytime soon). And with some hard work and creative effort, he may be able to turn this ordinary “spot opportunity” into a tailor-made permanent position. If not and nothing else, he can at least learn about a new type of position that may fit in his future, learn about another side of his industry, meet new networking contacts and develop or polish some skills. In any case, when we hung up I was reminded of another person, a past client of mine whose story I'd like to share.

Right out of high school Bill moved into Banking as a clerk in a community bank. Over the next 28 years he survived five takeovers and rose to upper-middle management, responsible for branch security and a variety of backroom cash management functions. He never got around to getting a college degree. When the final takeover occurred, he did not make the cut. Now (then) in his mid-50’s without a four-year degree and his only experience in an industry that was, as is today, consolidating at breakneck speed, his chances of re-entry into Banking seemed bleak.

A friend who worked for a large beverage company that had recently reorganized approached Bill with an opportunity for a two-week assignment in their accounting area. We discussed its merits and agreed that he should accept the project. The two-week assignment turned into four, then into six and eight. It became clear to us that Bill was fulfilling an important need within the organization that had not yet been outlined by Management and that he would be a valuable permanent addition to their staff.

Bill moved into a permanent position that was created with only him in mind, and once in, his performance quickly overshadowed any lack of a four-year degree or experience outside Banking. Bill went on to play an important role in the company’s operations.

In short, the temporary assignment afforded Bill exposure to an opportunity for which, on paper, he would have been considered “unqualified”. It also provided Management an opportunity to observe Bill’s skills first hand, measure his proficiency in accounting and administrative matters, and at the end of the day benefit from the power of his wisdom and experience.

So, should a similar “spot opportunity” present itself to you, broaden your vision, evaluate it for its wider-ranging possibilities and if appropriate, jump on it for if not, someone else may!!

(Oh … and on “Power”? Managers often have power because subordinates depend upon them for rewards. In the same way subordinates may have power if they link the managers’ performance to their own. Or, as in Bill’s case the company’s operations performance to his own)


YT,
Rob