Six Months into People & Org Consulting: A Personal FAQ

Last year, I did what I had always considered doing one day: I switched to the other side.

After over eight years in the nonprofit sector, I took a leap of faith and joined Julia Reis Consulting as an Associated Senior Consultant. Hello, people and organisational effectiveness consulting 👋. A drastic change? Yes and no. 

I’ve always been intrigued by how we can make organisations better. Better, to me, means two things: building organisations that have the right humans, structures, processes, and tools in place to work effectively toward their mission and creating workplace cultures in which people like to spend a large part of their day.

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Over the past six months, I’ve received many questions about how this transition went, what my new (work) life looks like and what my biggest takeaway is so far. Here are my answers to the questions I have been asked the most:

Questions about my new role

What is the job about? What exactly do you do there?

At Julia Reis Consulting, my days are anything but monotonous. As we’re a small firm, our consultants wear many hats, and that’s something I absolutely love. My work ranges from big-picture strategic tasks to more hands-on activities. In a typical week, you’ll find me supporting our clients by conducting an OKR (Objectives and Key Results) kick-off training, stepping in as an interim HR manager, recruiting new talent, or supporting the storytelling for a board presentation. I also take charge of our marketing efforts—for example, by writing blog articles like this—which keeps things exciting and diverse. This mix of strategic and tactical work allows me to utilise a wide range of my skills as a generalist and keeps each day fresh and engaging.

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What’s the most significant difference compared to your previous jobs?

The biggest difference is that I now have clients, and that brings its own dynamism and speed. Sometimes, priorities change, or we need to support the work on a new topic spontaneously. Clients’ needs evolve rapidly, so we’re constantly adapting and learning on the job—that keeps me on my toes.

Another difference is our organisational setup. While I’ve worked remotely before, this is my first time working for a remote-first company. Our internal processes are highly efficient: We avoid unnecessary meetings, use efficient tools and work with OKRs to stay focused on our goals. Although we’re all working from different locations, the relationships between us team members are close and we invest a lot of time into understanding our unique strengths, preferred ways of working together and feedback—this is already deeply embedded in our onboarding process.  

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Do you just design slides all day?

Definitely not! However, I really enjoy turning complex information into visually appealing and easily digestible presentations. Being able to do so is a crucial skill of many consultants and one of the reasons clients ask for our support.

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Questions about the “consulting lifestyle”

Can you even do consulting part-time? Don't clients want you to be available 24/7?

One of the great aspects of working at Julia Reis Consulting is the flexibility in designing our work schedules. I’m working part-time, and we plan my capacities accordingly. At the beginning of each collaboration, we have a kick-off meeting with our client, during which we also define availability. As we always work for multiple clients simultaneously, each of them understands that we aren’t available exclusively for them. Our remote-first focus also means we only have selected days where we’re “on-site” with the client. 

While some weeks can be more stressful, I usually balance my work and personal life very effectively. For instance, I can pick up my daughter on time and spend the late afternoon with her on the playground, having already completed my best work earlier in the day. What’s crucial in making this possible is that our culture allows for open communication about workload and a healthy approach to work-life balance. 

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What was most surprising about the consulting lifestyle when you started?

What stood out to me about the consulting lifestyle is the level of ownership and responsibility from the beginning. As a small firm, we have no time for prolonged shadowing or extensive hand-holding. I found myself managing my own sub-projects and clients quite quickly, which was both challenging and exhilarating. Despite this autonomy, I always had my manager's support and guidance, ensuring I could deliver our high standards and didn’t feel overwhelmed.

The timelines can sometimes be surprising. For instance, I might learn on a Thursday that a client needs me to deliver a workshop on Monday or that an HR manager has decided to leave their position and I need to start onboarding to cover the interim role just a few days later. I enjoy the change and the opportunity to adapt to new challenges.

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Questions about the switching careers

Was it hard to switch to this sector? Don’t you miss having a social impact?

Transitioning to the consulting sector wasn’t as difficult as one might think. My previous role as Operations Director at a European NGO and my MBA provided a strong foundation for the switch. I’ve always been passionate about building better organisations, and consulting allows me to continue this work, albeit in a different context.

One of the biggest challenges was shifting my mindset to consider aspects like billable hours and the strategic time management that comes with them. However, I appreciate that I can quickly see the direct result of my work and, interestingly, I sometimes feel that I have a more immediate impact now. The changes we help implement in organisations are often swift and substantial. Clients pay for our services because they need them, adding a sense of urgency and importance to what we do.

Plus: I’m on a personal mission to bring the best from business into the nonprofit world. A few weeks ago, I hosted a webinar titled “How to use OKRs in your nonprofit organisation” which many of my former NGO colleagues and contacts attended. 

Julia Reis Consulting is deeply committed to advancing social causes, too. We take on selected pro bono clients and each year we donate 4% of our profits to charitable organisations with purposes our team believes in.

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What do you need to bring to be good at consulting?

Flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to new topics and work with different people are essential. Strong communication skills are also crucial since a significant part of the job involves conveying complex information in a clear and engaging manner. The same goes for reliability and authenticity; clients and colleagues must know they can count on you to deliver what you promise.

Being pleasant to work with shouldn’t be underestimated either. Building good relationships with clients and colleagues makes the work more enjoyable and productive. Personally, I find that my strong organisational skills and curiosity about new topics and tools have been incredibly helpful. Confidence in facilitation and public speaking also goes a long way, as these skills often come into play during workshops and presentations.

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Questions about Julia Reis Consulting

What’s unique about the way you work at Julia Reis Consulting?

What sets us apart at Julia Reis Consulting is not just what we do, but how we do it. We take a hands-on approach and are deeply committed to providing genuine value to our clients, rather than just focusing on revenue. Our company values create a supportive work environment where I feel empowered to perform at my best while continuously growing and learning. Honesty and authenticity are at the core of our operations—both with our clients and internally—allowing me to be my true self without putting on a “work mask.”

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Why should companies work with Julia Reis Consulting?

Companies should work with Julia Reis Consulting because we bring a blend of competence, authenticity, and a true commitment to delivering value. We offer comprehensive support across various HR and organisational topics, ensuring that our clients receive tailored and effective solutions. Our honest and straightforward approach means we aren't afraid to tell clients if we disagree or aren’t the right fit, ensuring that our services are always in their best interest. Clients benefit from our reliable, professional support and our ability to act as trusted sparring partners. This has led to significant, tangible impacts and the development of long-term, collaborative relationships.

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My main takeaway so far 

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned during my first six months in consulting is the crucial balance between investing in your people and the right organisational structures and processes. Successful organisations understand that these elements go hand in hand. Efficient tools and well-designed processes can significantly enhance productivity and job satisfaction, but their true potential is realised when paired with a strong focus on supporting and developing your people.

I’m very happy with my decision to switch to consulting, especially because Julia Reis Consulting is such a fantastic workplace. We genuinely practice what we preach, which gets rewarded with positive feedback from our clients. The chance to try new things and use the breadth of my skills and knowledge keeps me motivated and engaged.

My advice for anyone considering a similar career move is to understand your strengths and passions and find a firm that aligns with them. Consulting can take many forms, and finding the right fit is crucial. I'm fortunate to be at a place where the work we do, how we do it, and my desired work-life balance align perfectly.

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