Well, the final presentation to our clients went off like a bomb. They really appreciated the work we put into it, and said our recommendations really opened their eyes to ways they can manage their growth. Right as I was leaving the president of the client company practically offered me a job. Even if he had been explicit I would have declined; my interests don't really lie in manufacturing right now. But I consider it a hell of a compliment. Apparently, our work is now in the running for some kind of collegiate prize. I'll stay hopeful, but I'm happy with the things we've acheived so far.

In November or so, I start my practicum. I'll be working with one of the residents at the hospital on building a strategic plan for one of the service lines at the hospital. It will take several months, but there's a lot of opportunity with this particular project, and I'm about thrilled with it. I've always wanted to get into strategy and now I've got the chance to really show my stuff.

I'm also putting together an application for an administrative residency at a regional health network. I would basically be working side by side with CEO/CFO/Strategic leaders for a year, and getting paid handsomely as well. The competition for these things is pretty stiff, but I'm confident that given the chance I can really be a viable contender at the least.

That is, if I ever develop the determination to stay past 3pm on a Friday. Have a good weekend biznatches!

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All day tomorrow I have a management skills retreat at a private location with my employer. There goes a day's work hey? In all seriousness I kind of prefer the boondoggle to the daily grind, but don't tell my director.

I'm not sure when we'll be finished at this little seminar, but at five I give a presentation to a client company I've been working with for over a year. I and a few of the crew from grad school have this moonlighting gig as consultants. Anyways, we're presenting the clients with our final findings and recommendations on how they should take the next step in managing their growth. It's exciting to be involved in the process, and I feel like our team knows their company almost as well as they do. I can't help but be afraid sometimes though; that we're going to present something to someone that they think is completely off the wall - at which point the entire pitch will come to a screeching halt, and we will be chased out of the office by a pitchfork-wielding, torch-waving board of directors. Sometimes it's hard to tell how personally business owners are going to take your advice. But this group seems to be on the same page with us. They're ready to grow, willing even, they just need something to help manage and control said change. Well, we'll see what happens tomorrow.

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Friday - Left work early as per my usual summer Friday ritual. ONe day, they'll fire me for it, but until then I persist. Went to the beach, surprisingly great conditions - four to five feet, clean sets. I tried not to suck at surfing for about an hour, gave up and went to the body board for the remainder. Met some friends for beer and pool later that night, closed the bar, fell into something soft (a bed? couch? closet floor?) sometime in the wee hours.

Saturday - Saturday morning and afternoon never really existed. I got out of bed just before five, cooked up some fine gourmet food for the woman and watched movies.

Sunday - Volleyball and beer from noon until about six. Then I had abrief work-related meeting. I don't remember it being to productive because I could only think about getting back to volleyball and beer, but somehow I finished everything I needed to. There was a return to youthful reverie (and not so much to volleyball) sometime around nine pm. I fell asleep in the car and woke up in my bed.

Monday - Minor housekeeping issues, catching up, preparing for the onslaught that will be the next four days. I have finally completed a keystone ananlysis and research project (hence the Sunday meeting of the minds) that I've been working on with a team for the past year or so; and will be beginning another six month project immediately after my presentation a week from now. So I took the time Monday to build up a little momentum for what should be an interesting few weeks.

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