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- Women's Consulting Organization Celebrates 10 Years
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2008
»Women's Consulting Organization Celebrates 10 Years
By Renee Maler
It’s been said that mighty oaks grow from little acorns. Ten short years ago, a few women started meeting together in the back room of Vic’s Restaurant in San Carlos, Calif. From those humble beginnings, Women in Consulting (WIC) was born, today a dynamic collection of more than 400 seasoned professional consultants in more than 30 specialties, ranging from engineering and financial advising to marketing and Web design. & Representing a diverse range of industry and domain-specific expertise, WIC consultants have deep experience working with and consulting to a wide array of clients—including some of the most respected companies in the world, such as Bank of America, Cisco Systems, Genentech, Hewlett-Packard, Procter & Gamble, and Wells Fargo.
On Oct. 16, WIC gathered at the Microsoft Conference Center in Mountain View, Calif., to celebrate 10 years of “Passion, Purpose, and Perseverance,” as the San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit also looked ahead toward the next decade.
“What a great 10 year celebration—it was such a special event, and it really highlighted for me what a terrific community WIC has created,” commented WIC Leaders Network member Adrian Ott of Exponential Edge. “I am so proud to be part of this group.”
WIC board member Sherry Prescott-Willis added, “What an amazing turn out. I’m still basking in the glow of the event, knowing how lucky we are to be part of such an incredible organization of women. I literally had goosebumps sitting up front as I watched all the people filling the room!”
"We’re extremely proud of how far WIC has come over the past decade in terms of helping members succeed in their individual businesses and consulting practices, as well as in terms of building such a strong and diverse network of committed professionals,” said WIC President Linda Popky. "Our recent compensation survey revealed that WIC members have continued to grow their businesses and have been able to thrive despite operating in an extremely challenging and uncertain economic climate. So while we enjoyed celebrating our collective success over the past 10 years, we’re setting our sights on continued growth and success for women in consulting in the next decade and beyond."
 The organization’s seventh annual compensation survey of nearly 200 consultants, 65 percent of whom were WIC members, was released this past summer. It revealed resilience and growth in the Bay Area market for independent consultants during times of sustained economic uncertainty and corporate belt-tightening. Seventy percent of respondents reported that they saw an increase in revenue over the previous year, and 60 percent expect revenue to increase over the next 12 months. The survey also showed that average hourly rates, project fees, and monthly retainer fees all increased over 2007, with average revenue continuing to trend upward to more than $200K in 2008 (up from $104K in 2002, the first year of the survey).
Commenting on the survey results, Popky said, “Despite, or perhaps because of, increasing economic uncertainty, demand for consultants remains strong in the Bay Area, as organizations continue to rely on consultants to provide the flexibility, experience, and targeted domain expertise needed during these times of great change.
“Respondents reported their consulting practices are continuing to thrive, particularly three to six years after they launch their businesses, at which time they see a significant leap in terms of overall revenues, profitability, and sophistication. This year, for the first time, consultants told us they see social networking, whether face-to-face or online, as a critical requirement for successful partnerships and business growth,” she added.
The anniversary celebration featured a silent auction and fine art sale, with a portion of proceeds going to Girls For A Change, a national organization that empowers girls to create social change by inviting young women to design, lead, fund, and implement social-change projects that tackle issues that girls face in their own neighborhoods, with a focus on low-income communities.
One of the evening’s highlights was a panel discussion with past WIC presidents to offer a big-picture perspective on the state of the consulting industry. Among the past presidents joining the panel were Elaine Starling, Amy Fritz, Kate Purmal, Deborah Henken and Karilee Wirthlin. Looking back over the past decade as well as to the future direction, the panel members shared insights and lessons learned—with topics ranging from WIC’s impact on their consulting practices to new ways of communicating and relating with clients to high-potential niche markets for growth going forward.
Kim Fulcher, founder and president of Compass Life, delivered the night’s keynote presentation on "Three Keys for Entrepreneurial Success: Passion, Strengths, and Purpose." Author of Remodel Your Reality; Seven Steps to Rebalance Your Life and Reclaim Your Passion, along with dozens of e-books, audio books and advice columns, Fulcher has spoken around the world on subjects ranging from self-mastery and leadership to life balance. Extolling the power of collaboration, her presentation reminded the audience that while they can reach new heights by focusing on their strengths, values and skills; they don’t have to go it alone. Indeed, many audience members noted how the 10th year anniversary celebration itself was a testament to the power of connection and community.
 Rounding out the tenth year anniversary gala was the presentation of the inaugural “Spirit of WIC” award, honoring the organization’s core values of collaboration, innovation, and community. The “Spirit of WIC” award celebrates WIC’s achievements as a community of consultants, and as a community of women who have banded together around these commons goals and objectives. Embodying a passion for lifelong learning and sharing, unbridled optimism, and a keen and creative business intellect, Elaine Starting, the president and founder of Starling Media Services, received the inaugural award.
Honored for an openness and trust that make WIC such a warm, welcoming, and wonderful community, Starling was introduced by presenters as a WIC member who exemplifies the wisdom, business savvy and commitment that are inherent in a successful consultant and business owner. Presenters also singled out her ever-present "What can I do to help you?" attitude, a generosity of spirit that explains why she was unanimously voted as the inaugural award recipient.
Women in Consulting is a dynamic organization of more than 400 experienced professional consultants and small business owners in more than 30 specialties, ranging from engineering to financial advising and marketing. The WIC mission is to create a community of consultants that work together to build strong businesses through networking and skills development. Established as a nonprofit, collaborative community to foster successful businesses for its members, WIC is celebrating the organization’s 10th anniversary in 2008. For information, visit www.womeninconsulting.org.
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