Using Downtime for Some Pro Bono Compensation (or HR) Consulting? Here's Some Great Advice!

Compensation (and HR) consultants come in a lot of sizes and flavors these days.  Some of us (the true masochists) have been consultants for most of our careers, others are new to the "fee for service" arena.  Some of us work for large consulting firms, others have hung out their own shingle or simply partnered with a few colleagues.  Some of us relish the unpredictable work-90-hours-one-week-then-10-the-next lifestyle, others are just biding their time until the right corporate gig comes along.

Whatever the profile, there are more of us in the consulting arena than usual, courtesy of the recession.  And many are using their downtimes between and around client projects to give back to the community and gain helpful experience by doing pro bono work.

With this in mind, I wanted to share some wonderful advice to guide your entrepreneurial generosity: The Ten Commandments for Pro Bono Work, courtesy of Jane Pollack's blog Leading Remarkable Women to Uncommon Success(via Terri Lonier's Working Solo Minute).  I present to you below a few of my favorite Commandments (5 through 8) - please click through to read all ten.

Number Five: I shall be 100% responsible for recording information regarding appointments and will honor them as scheduled. If I need to change an appointment, I will let the receiver of my generosity know in a timely manner.

Number Six:  If I'm going to be late for an appointment, I shall call the receiver at, or ahead of, the appointed time to let him/her know of the delay. (See Commandment #4)

Number Seven: I shall take 100% responsibility for maintaining the boundaries of what I will and will not contribute in terms of my vast knowledge.

Number Eight: I shall be clear on my own expectations- an opportunity to give back, acknowledgment, gratitude or paying it forward-and not carry a grudge if these are not met.

Great pointers on a timely topic!  And special shouts out to all my friends and readers who are seizing these opportunities!

Comments

[Nancy Hess]

Great topic to post. I remember wise advice from a college president about staying connected in the community and serving on boards as a way to build a solid professional profile.

Other ways to maximize downtime include working through new business strategies and getting in touch with old clients.

Face-time, the old way to do business and yet, still the best.

Nancy

[Ann Bares]

Nancy:

So right - building relationships and staying in touch never go out of style ... and are critical to staying in/growing your business. And pro bono work is a terrific way to do it!

Thanks for the comment!