As an independent consultant specializing in Project Management and Digital Transformation, I’ve also teamed up with HCLTech, part of the elite HCL group – they’re kind of a big deal in the IT world, ranking among the top ten. My stint in independent consulting, over two fun-filled and coffee-fueled years with my current gig and almost three with the last one, has been a blend of grit, a crash course in juggling skills, and a relentless chase after excellence.
Now, don’t get me wrong, my path to independence wasn’t lit up by some proverbial lightbulb moment or an endless loop of Tony Robbins’ pep talks (though I admit, they’re quite energizing). It’s a myth that you can have a cinematic transformation overnight after skimming through a self-help book. It’s more like being thrown into the deep end – think ‘Survivor’ but in the corporate jungle. It’s all about surviving tough failures, dealing with a kaleidoscope of personalities (especially the ‘unique’ leaders), and making sacrifices like being a frequent flyer and missing your favorite couch at home. And of course, soaking up every bit of wisdom from mentors like a sponge, aiming to be so skilled that you become impossible to overlook.
The Chronicles of My Journey:
- Entrepreneurial Night School: Picture this – night classes in entrepreneurship and leadership, where coffee was my most loyal companion.
- Aerospace Adventures Two decades in the aerospace sector, culminating in a senior Planner/Buyer role, honed my skills in negotiation, leadership, and strategic planning, setting the stage for more complex challenges ahead.
- Industry Hopping: From aerospace, I hopped over to the pharmaceutical sector, followed by a decade-long stint as a consultant to notable firms, including IBM.
- Goodbye, Corporate Ladder: I worked for a variety of bosses – the good, the bad, and the ‘are you kidding me?’. This eclectic mix pushed me to ditch the 9-to-5 grind for the thrill of consultancy.
- Mentor Magic: I’ve been lucky to have mentors who didn’t yawn at my questions and actually knew their stuff. Their guidance has been like finding cheat codes in the game of career progression.
- Excellence or Bust: Gathering methodologies and templates like they’re going out of style has been key. In the world of consultancy, being just ‘okay’ is like being invisible.
- Teamwork Tango: I’ve got this special talent for getting a bunch of different folks to dance to the same tune. It’s all about communication, respect, and not stepping on each other’s toes (literally and figuratively).
- Fueled by Passion: At the core of it all is my love for project management, solution architecture, and untangling the kinds of problems that would make Sudoku look easy. My mantra, “Be so good they can’t ignore you,” is my own personal theme song.
As the head honcho of Terry Vermeylen Enterprises and worldclasssupplychain.com, I’m all about rolling out fancy digital systems and playing the hero for projects that are flopping. My career story isn’t just about patting myself on the back; it’s a tale of resilience, a never-ending thirst for knowledge, and a commitment to being outstanding (or at least trying to be).