PICA Member Spotlights

Q&A with independent consultants who successfully “made the leap” and created the consulting career of their dreams

 

Q: Introduce yourself and tell us about your business, Paul.

A: As an experienced futurist and CEO of Fletter Consulting Group, my business is centered on enabling companies to take control of their future through the implementation of strategic foresight and authentic innovation frameworks. Our mission is to reduce ambiguity, and help companies make sense of an uncertain future. We specialize in creating scenario frameworks, as well as providing innovative solutions to help companies achieve their goals.

Q: How did you become interested in this niche?

A: My background in bioengineering and medical device development, combined with my MBA and experience in customer-facing roles, has equipped me with a unique set of skills that I apply to my consulting work. I learned how to prioritize technology trends and customer needs and use them as a driving force for innovation. After over a decade of studying and mastering the process of innovation, I am now able to provide my clients with the tools and strategies they need to make the most impactful decisions for their businesses.

Q: How long have you been an independent consultant?

A: I have been operating independently for just over a year, around 14 months.

Q: What led to your decision to become independent?

A: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity for me to assist others in navigating the uncertainty of the future. The need for flexible schedules to accommodate personal and family responsibilities resulted in many role transitions. It was a natural decision for me to offer my expertise in strategic foresight and authentic innovation as a means of helping others make sense of their future and implement good ideas.

Q: What challenges have you faced in launching your business?

A: One of the most significant challenges I have faced is developing and honing my message to position myself as a credible expert in my field. Initially, I found it difficult to clearly communicate how my skills and experience could be applied to solve my client’s problems. However, by focusing on the framework of strategic foresight and authentic innovation, I have been able to effectively demonstrate the value I can provide to my clients in reaching their business goals.

Q: Can you explain what you mean by strategic foresight and authentic innovation?

A: Strategic foresight is the process of looking at trends in a strategic way to understand their timing and impact. By looking out to 5 or 10 years, and sometimes even beyond, companies can plan to mitigate potential risks and capitalize on opportunities. Authentic innovation, on the other hand, is about creating new and impactful solutions that align with the company's vision, mission, and values. By understanding the customer's needs and desires, and aligning them with the company's goals, businesses can create sustainable and valuable solutions. Together, these frameworks provide a holistic approach to creating a sustainable future for companies.

Q: How do you generate awareness about your services and expertise?

A: Generating awareness about my services and expertise has been a challenge, but I have been utilizing my network and utilizing LinkedIn as a tool to reach out to potential clients. I have also been developing my message and creating advertisements to raise awareness about my services. I make phone calls and engage in conversations to explain the value of my services and often the conversation often leads to a consulting role or innovation work. Many CEOs understand the need for innovation, but only a small percentage are satisfied with the outcomes of their innovation programs. This is often due to the ambiguous nature of innovation and the difficulty in implementing change. However, companies are paying for innovation in one way or another, they just may not realize it yet. I help uncover where their scarce innovation dollars are spent and how to measure returns.

Authentic innovation builds on corporate innovation and agile principles to take a customer-focused approach in developing new solutions. By prioritizing customer needs and utilizing divergent and convergent discovery steps, companies can effectively whittle down solutions and determine the best course of action for implementation. One of the biggest challenges for companies is managing the ideas generated from their innovation programs, which is where the innovation management process comes into play. I focus on providing tailored tools to match the specific needs of each company, ensuring customer satisfaction, and incorporating strategic foresight to stay ahead of emerging trends.

Q: How did you acquire your first client?

A: I acquired my first client through my network, and it was primarily small workshops and basic advisory. However, as my network has grown, I have been able to assist small businesses and startups in developing their ideas, markets, and metrics. I now also advise larger companies that already have innovation capabilities in place, to review and improve their processes along key dimensions including governance, language, ambitions, incentives, and strategies.

Q: What has surprised you the most about being independent?

A: One thing that has surprised me is the variety of ways in which I am able to help clients. It doesn't always have to be related to futurism or strategic foresight, sometimes it's just classic business advice or cultural guidance. Being able to adapt and listen to the specific needs of my clients has been important.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming independent?

A: My advice would be to focus on developing a message that highlights your specialty and what makes you unique. Understand how your services are packaged differently from others. It's also important to consider potential partners as you refine your message. Building a strong network and utilizing tools like LinkedIn can also be beneficial in generating awareness and reaching potential clients.

Q: What are your plans for your consulting business in the upcoming year?

A: My primary focus for the upcoming year is to strengthen existing partnerships and further develop my business. I have long-term goals, but in the short term, I will be focusing on enhancing the tools and resources available to my clients, including creating more downloadable materials to aid in the consulting process. I will also be looking inward to improve my own processes and outward to establish partnerships that will allow for a more integrated consulting experience for my clients.

Q: How can people find out more about you or your consulting business?

Please connect with me on LinkedIn. They can also find more information about Fletter Consulting Group and the services we offer on our website, which includes a contact form for inquiries. Additionally, they can find out more about me and my expertise by reading my articles and publications related to strategic foresight and authentic innovation. I am always happy to have a conversation and answer any questions about how my skills and expertise can benefit their business.


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