Downturn hails the return of the Generalist
Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 9:52PM 
Marshal Goldberg, the generalist of his day.
Baseball and NFL football has the concept of a two-way player. They have the ability to fill a multitude of positions both in offense and defense. A generalist of the game. In the earlier days of the game this type of player was highly prized because benches were smaller and clubs poorer. With the arrival of big money things got more specialised and the two-way players, the generalists, became a thing of the past.
Business had gone that way too, especially in hi-tech industries. With the increased demands on resources and less money to pay the specialists now the two-way players of business world are back in demand.
So what does a generalist look like? Simply put they are strong both offensive and defensive in their approach to business. Some examples:
Offensively
- They spot new opportunities
- Coming up with new ideas to generate business
- Expand their offering in existing accounts
- Quick to chase an opportunity
- Happy to make slow but sure progress, to the score
- Leverage a win to setup the next deal
Defensively
- Giving no excuse to a client to move providers (lose ground) through excellent service
- Co-ordinating the whole organisation, as a team, to deliver the project or service
- Protecting the revenue (ground) already won
- Constantly keeping an eye on the bottom line to spot any change in business conditions
- Ready to react at the first sign of trouble
- Where a client is not happy, not being afraid to change the delivery model
So where are you likely to find the two-way player of your sector.
Most probably under your nose, they just need to be given a chance. That Project Manager who helps with Pre-Sales, the programmer who never has a deliverable late or the PA who manages the calendars of 10 consultants on 3 continents.
Now ask yourself, "am I the two-way player of my sector or company" and what are the implications when it comes time to shorten the bench?
Reader Comments (1)
Hi Piaras
Good poits here. I watched Sandra Bullock recently in "The Blind Side" and was impressed with the Ideologies and principles portrayed in this excellent film ,ostensibly about American Football, but essentially dealing with far wider issues , of race , relationships, ideals, morals , ethics etc.. It works very well at all these levels. Thanks for your sympathy on my blog re: Cycling accident.