Why Work Part-Time

by Seth Sinclair, Member

I’ve talked to several of our Associates, and it seems to me that for them, money isn’t the most important aspect of the work they currently do.  These are people who have been productive throughout their lives, and the rewards of continuing to do productive work and the sense of accomplishment they get from having succeeded in a task are more important than what they are paid.   Working after retirement allows them to stay current with what’s going on in their profession. 

Let’s not get too altruistic here, though—part time consulting can be both lucrative and satisfying.  Because companies know that it’s both cheaper and easier to hire executive consultants than to hire full-time staff, there are many opportunities for retired executives to earn “something extra” that can come in very handy when unexpected expenses occur.   Did you know that more than 40 percent of retired executives have done consulting work at some point during their retirement—and that eighty percent have considered doing so?

The work Sinclair Associates do is meaningful, it is necessary, and it is valued by our clients.  Although Stan and I have discussed this subject with a number of you, I’d like to use our new blog to ask our entire associate community: what are your expectations as an Associate?  What kinds of work are you interested in doing, and how can we help you achieve your goals?  Feel free to respond in the comments section of this blog.  With your permission, we may print a few of your responses here on our web site.  Thanks!  

Hiring Retired Executives

by Seth Sinclair, Member

Most of Sinclair Advisory Group’s Associates—the people who accomplish the tasks our clients entrust us with—are retired government leaders.  Our Associate roster includes people who have had remarkably successful careers, possess outstanding executive skills, and know how to operate in an atmosphere of continual change.  My job is a simple one: to get them the tools they need to be successful in their work with us.

One of the most important aspects of our business plan is designed to help solve a problem that government and private industry share; children born in the immediate aftermath of World War II, better known as “baby boomers,” are reaching retirement age.  The new generation of leaders who will replace these men and women simply don’t yet have the expertise to deal with the unforeseen challenges every organization faces.  Senior leaders are leaving the workforce faster than they can be replaced.  The problem is particularly acute in government, where early retirement is a viable option for many executives.

At the same time, however, many new retirees aren’t ready to give up working for the rest of their lives.  They enjoy part-time or project-driven work, which gives them the chance to continue to use the skills they’ve carefully developed throughout their careers—and working as consultants is a great way to do that, and to help government agencies and other organizations accomplish their missions.

There are any number of reasons government agencies and others find value in hiring consultants: to bring in knowledge and skills they don’t currently have; to solve specific problems or handle specific projects; to train current staff; to lower costs; and to serve as mentors and advisors.  Our Associates bring fresh perspectives and new ideas, if that’s what an organization needs, or strong and disciplined management skills, if that’s what it takes.

We think we’ve created a business that makes sense for the 21^st century.  Let us know what you think. 

Welcome to the new SAG Blog!

Sinclair Advisory Group is pleased to introduce the SAG Blog.  We will use this blog to share experiences and lessons learned from our project work, offer observations on trends in the federal government, discuss best practices in leadership, profile members of our consulting team, and provide general updates on company performance.  Our goal is to update the blog on at least weekly basis.  We hope that you'll find the information we share to be relevant and interesting.  Thanks for your interest in our company!

Seth Sinclair, SAG Member