In the past, firms were often unsure of how to set up and operate their own inhouse marketing and business development teams. On these occasions I would visit their offices on a regular basis (a couple of days or afternoons a week) over a longer period of time (six months to three years) in order to help them establish an effective team and to provide ongoing support to the team and the partners to ensure that they progress through the learning phase and continue to operate on a solid basis.
Sometimes, either the marketing/BD team or the partners have expressed concern at how things are progressing and I will work periodically with the team and the partners to smooth out any problems and ensure that everyone is achieving what they want to.
On other occasions, I have been invited back by firms who wish to cover the maternity (or paternity) leave of a senior marketing or business development professional not through a contract or interim appointment but through a consultancy arrangement where I provide high level part time support during the entire period – either on a “keeping things ticking over” basis or on a “initiative and drive forward some key projects” basis.
Alternatively, some clients continue to seek advice, help and an objective sounding board long after the initial consultancy assignment has been completed. Many do this on an ad-hoc and as needed basis. Some retain my services for a couple of days a month for specific projects, regular visits to the offices to assist with current projects or future plans or ongoing coaching and development of key individuals.