Hot off the press! Our Accelerators have graduated. 🥳
After six months of intensive training, our Accelerators are now fully immersed in our customer projects. We caught up with some of them to reflect on their journey – from their expectations before joining the programme to their experiences of working with clients.
Are you as curious as we are about what Josefin, Sofonias, Kevin, Jarrad, Will, and Lina have to say? Let’s scroll down to find out! 🔽
Exploring Expectations
With no prior knowledge of what it’s like to work as a consultant, each Accelerator had their own preconceptions about the role. What were they? 🤔
Will: I came in with a very open mind, so I didn’t have too many preconceptions. However, I did think the work might feel a little transactional. That hasn’t been the case at all – instead, it’s been much more of a close professional working relationship.
Jarrad: I did have a few. I expected there to be an internally competitive culture, but I’ve been extremely pleasantly surprised by Columbus. There’s a real culture of support and collaboration, and no one is left behind.
Kevin: A lot of my expectations were correct, but compared to other firms, Columbus has a very open work culture with a high level of trust. The organisational model is more horizontal. I’d heard that consulting roles involve a variety of different projects, and that turned out to be true – which I’m very happy about!
âž¡ Read also: The Accelerator Stories - Part 2: First Customer Meeting
Programme Highlights
Overall, our Accelerators highlight the programme’s emphasis on networking and collaboration, praising the connections they’ve made both locally and globally. They appreciate the diverse learning opportunities gained through customer interactions and value the supportive and inclusive culture fostered within the organisation.
Josefin: All the insightful education sessions and business trips we’ve taken together. The programme has provided a comprehensive introduction to the consultant role and what it entails. Shadowing my mentor on client projects has been invaluable.
Sofonias: I think the best part of the programme was getting the chance to meet and get to know colleagues from other offices. Each meeting included different activities, followed by dinner, which was a great way to strengthen our sense of community.
Kevin: Looking back, the best everyday moments involved connecting with Accelerators at a fast pace across the business lines. The most significant part was engaging with Accelerators on a global scale. That’s where the Columbus Accelerator programme really stands out – it’s a rare opportunity to connect with people across different market units.
Customer Engagements
As they transitioned to working with clients, our Accelerators took on various tasks depending on the project phase. From shadowing colleagues to hands-on involvement, Lina expressed a desire for more practical tasks but contributed to activities like testing solutions. Jarrad focused on supporting Stream Leads, ensuring that requirements were aligned with customer needs, while Will actively captured customer requirements during workshops and documented them for further analysis.
Josefin: I currently participate in meetings, prepare workshops, carry out planning work, and configure the system to support all the client’s needs.
Kevin: In Azure DevOps, I handle tasks related to sales and finance, including configuring business documents, meeting with customers, and integrating external deliveries within D365’s supply chain management.
Sofonias: While working with clients, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the additional responsibilities entrusted to me. These include presenting features and documenting processes, offering a diverse and enriching learning experience beyond what I initially expected.
Building Networks
Networking opportunities exceeded expectations for many Accelerators. Sofonias found himself connecting with colleagues from various areas within Columbus, facilitated by after-work events and active engagement on platforms like LinkedIn. Kevin valued the professional interactions within project teams, allowing him to understand each person’s expertise and occasionally seek assistance when needed.
Jarrad: Amazing – my LinkedIn connections have doubled, and I can easily approach anyone within the organisation for advice on anything from system and customer queries to financial and personal discussions. It’s been fantastic for networking. I now have connections with people in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, as well as across the UK, covering a variety of expertise.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, each Accelerator is excited about different aspects of their roles. Everyone is eager to learn, collaborate with colleagues, and add value to customer projects. It’s reminiscent of the arrival of spring – that feeling that anything is possible and the world is at your feet.
Lina: I’m particularly excited about participating in a customer project in the UK. Having the opportunity to work on a project across international borders is something I greatly value, and I anticipate it will be both stimulating and educational.
Will: I’ve been through an exploration phase, where I’ve been on-site learning about the company and its processes. Now, I’m looking forward to applying this knowledge in the system and gaining a much deeper understanding of its functionality and how I can create value. Additionally, I’ve been lucky enough to work with a variety of different streams, which has helped me see the bigger picture. Moving forward, I’m looking forward to deep-diving into one or two streams to specialise in a particular area.
From graduates to fully-fledged consultants
The journey from training to full-time consultancy has been transformative for our Accelerators, challenging preconceptions, fostering strong networks, and providing invaluable hands-on experience. As they continue to navigate the dynamic landscape of consultancy, their diverse perspectives and aspirations will undoubtedly contribute to their success in delivering innovative solutions to clients worldwide. We’re proud to see them thrive and look forward to witnessing their continued growth and impact in the consultancy sphere! 🤩
Are you curious about Columbus as an employer and the opportunities we offer? Check out our career page to find open positions and gain insights into our business lines.
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