Archive for March, 2009
The Riches Are in the Niches
Stephen Evanoff
Several years ago, a crusty, veteran, environmental consulting executive said to me, with a sparkle in his eye, “da riches is in da niches.” At the time, I dismissed the comment as not being applicable to an inside guy like me (i.e, EHS manager in a large corporation) and only relevant to the true-blue, hardy consultants out there, in particular an entrepreneurial executive who was eyeing another acquisition of a specialty firm. Now, I am not so sure.
The traditional model for EHS career progression was to develop a technical expertise to establish your credentials and, over time, acquire a broad, basic knowledge of EHS subject matter while simultaneously learning about business management. Thus, one would become a good generalist capable of moving up the management chain. But today, with the number of EHS management positions shrinking (due, I think, to our success establishing EHS management systems, integrating EHS into operations and deploying pollution prevention practices) and a plentiful supply of well-qualified generalists, this model may be going the way of the main frame computer.
I know several people who are so expert in their niche’ that they command $350/hour rates serving as expert witnesses in trials related to lead poisoning and asbestos. I know others who make a good living consulting and training people in very specific, narrow subject areas, such as TSCA compliance. I’ve worked with plant-level air emissions experts and corporate-level ergonomists who made a darn good living.
What’s been your experience? Are generalists going the way of the pterodactyl? Are the riches in the niches?
Stephen Evanoff is active on NAEM’s Board of Directors and leads EHS for AIMCO, the largest owner and operator of apartment communities in the US. He resides in Denver, CO with his son and wife, and can regularly be found on his days off skiing, hiking, or being dragged around the neighborhood park by his Great Dane, Natasha.
Winning or Losing?
Join the discussion on The Green Tie this week and share your thoughts on dealing with job loss and how we are supporting our fellow EHS colleagues as we all weather a difficult job market together.
A Trashed Economy
The impact of the economy on business and the EHS profession has shifted our discussion from “how to survive a really bad year” to “how to provide EHS value in a reset worldwide business model”– a question that is likely to define the reality of most EHS managers and professionals for a generation to come.
So what then is this new reset worldwide business model going to look like? One hint can perhaps be seen in an interesting article in the LA Times (1/25/09, “As the Economy Slumps, So Does Trash”).
Are You Integrated?
In this week’s Green Tie Blog, guest blogger David Williams asks, “Are you integrated?” and gives readers a simple 3-step approach for integrating EHS into their business and guaranteeing their professional success!
