This week I celebrated 15 years as an independent consultant, helping companies to develop better strategies and to accelerate growth.
I say ‘celebrated’, but in fact, up until now, I haven’t given it a moment’s thought.
Yet, over the past decade and a half I’ve had the fortune to do the strategy and growth work I love with some of the world’s leading companies, as well as many other brilliant small and mid-sized organisations. In fact, I’ve just counted up and I’ve worked with over 70 different businesses in 10 different countries.
What’s more, I’ve written two commercially published books – still available for sale at reasonable prices! – and been a speaker at many different companies, business groups, conferences and events. And this is my 475th weekly email newsletter!
Back in 2006, when I decided to give independent consulting a go, I had no idea that any of this would be possible. It’s been far from plain sailing and I’ve had to get used to riding the roller coaster that comes with running your own business. The past 18 months have been particularly challenging.
But, overall, the last 15 years have been both personally rewarding and good fun. So, I am going to genuinely celebrate this milestone and want to sincerely thank all my clients, their teams, the buyers of my books, the people in the audience who stayed awake, the readers of this column – especially those who’ve offered ideas for articles or song lyrics! – and everyone I’ve worked with along the way.
Thank you
Off The Record: Days by The Kinks
Thank you for the days
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me
I’m thinking of the days
I won’t forget a single day, believe me
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Stuart Cross 2021. All rights reserved