Martha Stewart and Leonardo da Vinci? They have more in common than you know.

Leonardo da Vinci.
Andy Warhol.
Walt Disney.
Martha Stewart.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Two weeks ago, our Managing Partner and co-founder Mark Weber returned for a command performance to LOOM Coworking, Gallery and Event Space in Fort Mill, SC to share insights on the common thread that ties these five, highly accomplished professionals together.

The common thread?

Each of these famous people built a “portfolio career”, a style of working where a professional combines multiple streams of income to earn a robust living. Think of a portfolio career like an investment portfolio whereby you derive income from multiple streams that you professionally manage with a high degree of care, strategy and intentionality.

Portfolio careers are booming. In a recent article published by Ben Legg, the former COO of Google Europe, it was noted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (based in Paris) in its Future of Work study that an estimated 50% of developed country workforces would be gig workers by 2030. Similarly, Ladders published a story that featured a forecast from Statista, the market research firm, that freelancers will make up more than 50% of the USA’s workforce by 2027.

So why are portfolio careers growing?

For starters, more and more professionals are realizing that they have the right and power to veer from the traditional career script. Many of the most skilled and intelligent workers crave both variety and challenge in their careers, and they find it fulfilling to meet their needs outside the traditional career path.

For these professionals, there is often a greater sense of purpose, clarity, and flexibility that accompanies the building of a portfolio career.

Respected thought leaders including Harvard Business Review and Forbes are publishing a growing body of articles and videos that are providing legitimacy to those attracted to the concept of a portfolio career. Additionally, a growing number of employers, including Croixstone Consulting, are intentionally building and diversifying their workforces by designing and implementing talent strategies focused on portfolio professionals.

Visit Croixstone Consulting’s Linktree to find a variety of links to learn more about the benefits and rewards of building a portfolio career.


The Rise in Cyberattacks

Those of us who live in the Charlotte region and other locations up and down the East Coast are dealing with the high-impact aftermath of the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack.  Here are some fast facts about the rise in cyberattacks to digest while you wait in line for that critical tank of gasoline.

Read to learn more about top cybersecurity facts, figures and statistics from CSO magazine.


Links to Navigate the NOW Normal.

In last week’s blog post, we provided a list of links to help consultants, job seekers, and others navigate the “now” normal.  In this week’s post, we provide additional links with a focus on networking. 

8 smart ways to keep networking while you’re stuck at home.
The wisest among us are not letting the quarantine stop mission-critical networking.  Fast Company magazine shares 8 tips from a networking guru.
Click here.

How to network in the age of Coronavirus.
A marketing & branding consultant shares her advice with Ladders.
Click here.

The dawn of the virtual happy hour.
Happy hours haven’t gone away.  They are still going strong, and they definitely fuel networking.  Learn more via Forbes.
Click here.

Virtual happy hours are boosting morale at work.
Chief Executive magazine provides additional perspective on the virtual happy hour trend.
Click here.

10 tips to secure your Zoom video calls and meetings.
Stay safe with these helpful tips from cybersecurity advisory Joseph Steinberg.
Click here.


What it takes to become a successful management consultant.

Last month Forbes published a great article that provides a high-level overview of the management consulting industry, and what it takes to succeed as a consultant.

Because the article is written from the vantage point of a consultant who is embedded in the traditional management consulting model, there are aspects that don’t apply to Croixstone’s disruptive business model.  Our consultants, for example, don’t travel frequently, and Croixstone doesn’t deploy a proprietary methodology.  

That said, the article nicely captures the core work of a management consultant along with the skills and expertise you need to succeed.

Read the article here.


Online MBA Programs

Croixstone has built its practice around a group of elite, senior level top-tier MBA consulting professionals who thrive on tackling the toughest industry challenges to help propel businesses forward.

Recently, Forbes released a list of MBA programs they say are just as good or better than those ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Click here to read more.


2020 Job Search + Career Predictions

Today’s job market is shifting at unprecedented speeds as new technologies, globalization and economic shifts continue to drive change.  Highly-experienced professionals, like those for whom Croixstone serves, will benefit from these changes.  Learn more in this January 7, 2020 article from Forbes entitled “2020 Job Search and Career Predictions for Baby Boomers.”


LinkedIn Skill Assessments

LinkedIn recently announced its latest feature to help professionals showcase their skills.  The professional networking site has rolled out LinkedIn Skill Assessments, a new way to validate technical skills.  Robin Ryan, a writer who covers baby boomer careers for Forbes magazine, has published a helpful article that explains this new LinkedIn feature. 

Read About LinkedIn Skill Assessments