Blog – Page 21 – Croixstone

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From Bank Town to Auto Town?

You may know that the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry has shifted to the southeastern USA. But did you know that the Charlotte region is benefiting greatly from this trend? According to research from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, more than 63,000 people work in automotive sectors in our region (more than Greenville, SC and more than most of Charlotte’s peer cities). Over the past two years, 20 automotive-related companies have announced plans to locate or expand in the region, adding a total of nearly 1,300 jobs. Learn more here.

Charlotte Regional Job and Population Growth Remain on the Rise

The boom continues! The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance has released its Q1, 2019 “Growth Report” and the numbers continue to show economic strength across the region. Among the first quarter highlights featured in the latest report:

Net New Jobs in Q1: 8,065
Announced Expansion or Relocation Projects: 25
Announced New Capital Investment: $93.6M
Industry Sector with Highest Growth Rate in Hiring: Transportation & Logistics

Read the full report here.

The Rules & Rigors of Consulting

With more than 40 years of experience in operational growth and improvement, both as a consultant and as an executive with Crayola Corporation, Peter Christian has served more than 300 companies. Earlier this month, CONSULTING magazine published an online article written by Peter that provides valuable tips on the consultant and client relationship. Read the article entitled “The Rules and Rigors of Consulting” here.

Top 25 Consultants in 2019

In the latest issue of its online magazine, CONSULTING is highlighting the top 25 consultants who are making a big impact in our industry in 2019. Be sure to read the Q&A for each consultant as there are interesting insights to be gleaned to help your consulting career! Read the latest issue of CONSULTING magazine here (free subscription required).

Inefficiencies with Big Company Consulting Models

Recently, we highlighted the rise of boutique consulting firms, and how firms like Croixstone address inefficiencies inherent with traditional, big company consulting models. Interestingly, Accounting Today published an article with data that shows that nearly 75% of Big Four consulting projects cost more that clients anticipated.

The data comes from a survey conducted by Source Global Research which found that U.S. companies generally expect to pay $2,000 – $5,000 per day for a management consultant. That said, 70% of Big Four consulting projects end up costing more than the client’s initial estimate, while 18% of the projects cost significantly more. Only 2% of Big Four consulting projects end up costing less than senior executives at client companies expected.

Read the article published by Accounting Today here (free registration may be required).

Write a Winning LinkedIn Headline

Ever wonder how to write a LinkedIn headline that will get you noticed? The following are key messages and tips on how to use your LinkedIn headline to advance your personal branding objectives.

The headline is the section on LinkedIn that gets searched the most.
Your job title is not necessarily the right, or best, headline. You have the ability to change your headline beyond the default that LinkedIn uses (your title). Be purposeful in choosing the right headline.
The headline has a limit of 120 characters so plan your text wisely.
For consulting, consider spotlighting what you do and who you help.

Read Forbes magazine’s full article here for more details and examples.

Disruption in Big Consulting

As a boutique consulting firm, Croixstone provides clients across the greater Charlotte region with on-demand expertise from project consultants who deliver improved focus and deeper expertise at a lower cost than the “big” guys. Our business model is helping to disrupt the legacy consulting model.

As businesses become more informed, they recognize the inefficiencies that are inherent in the traditional big company consulting model. The drivers for these inefficiencies include:

1. The big consulting business model hasn’t changed with the rest of the world.

2. Partner incentives at big consulting firms do not always put client needs first.

3. Huge overhead costs are built into the rates.

4. Big consulting firms have many hammers, but not every problem is a nail.

Learn more about consulting industry disruption and the rise of boutique firms here.

Is the Business Card Dead?

Let’s say you are preparing to participate in a professional networking meeting in Charlotte this week. Your elevator pitch has been perfected, and you are feeling on top of your game. But then a nagging question arises that throws you off base. Should I, or should I not, present my business card to new contacts? Has the rise of LinkedIn (and other tools) rendered the business card obsolete?

Our strong belief? The business card still matters.

Following a meeting with a local business executive, the Croixstone team engaged in spirited discussion last week about the merit of the business card. While some people feel strongly that this longstanding business communication tool is passé, we are resolute in our belief that the business card absolutely still matters.

Yes, LinkedIn serves an incredibly valuable purpose. And, yes, many millennials are quick to say that the business card is pointless. We would offer that the business card is an essential tool in your personal branding tool chest. Like any tool, you simply need to know when the card is appropriate to present.

Know your audience and the environment. If you are attending a networking event at the Duke Mansion with people from traditional, conservative professional groups or companies, you can be assured that your business card matters. Attending a hip tech gathering at Camp North End the following evening? You might be best to leave your business card tucked safely in your pocket.

Also remember that your business card, when designed with care and intentionality, is a powerful tool to represent, and differentiate, your personal brand.

Read more opinions on the value of the business card from 16 public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising leaders who serve on the Forbes Agency Council.

Customize Your LinkedIn Background Photo

In follow-up to previous blog posts, we are highlighting another topic in the ongoing series of articles in Forbes entitled “The Baby Boomers Guide to LinkedIn.”

The third topic in the series shifts focus to your LinkedIn Background Photo.

Rule #1 – Customize Your Background Photo/Banner
Take the time to customize your background photo/banner. You are not a “generic” professional, and it is vital that your presence on LinkedIn sends the right message. By customizing your background photo/banner, you are also demonstrating that your understanding of tech and social media is “current”.

Rule #2 – Choose the Right Image for Your Personal Brand
Choose a background image that supports your personal brand.

Rule #3 – Choose an Image that Complements Your LinkedIn Headshot
Pick an image that works well with your LinkedIn headshot. You may need to do some trial and error experiments to get this right.

Rule #4 – Know the Right Size
The size of your background photo/banner should be 1584 wide x 396 high. Canva is a great tool to use for sizing of photos for social media purposes, and it is free.

Click here for more tips and to learn how Bill Gates has customized his background photo!

Mainstream Mindfulness

Last week, members of the Croixstone Consulting crew attended an educational seminar hosted by HopeWay Foundation, a Charlotte-based 501(c)(3) that supports mental health wellness. The guest speaker was Dan Harris, ABC News anchor and author of 10% Happier and Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics.

Dan Harris has become a huge advocate of mental health wellness, and meditation, following his personal experience with a nationally televised panic attack.

Meditation has become fully mainstream, and companies like Google, Nike, and Apple are proponents of mindfulness training. Learn more here.

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