Comments on: The Riches Are in the Niches http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/ NAEM - The National Association for Environmental Management Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:44:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Diana Kroner, CHMM http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-180 Diana Kroner, CHMM Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:03:18 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-180 In the corporate EHS world, I agree that companies are downsizing and it is important to be a generalist. This is the job that I currently have. Unfortunately, the number of these jobs appear to be shrinking. I have applied to consulting firms and found that they value depth of experience more than breadth of experience. So, where does that leave those of us with corporate EHS career paths? Should we be developing specialties? Changing fields entirely? In the corporate EHS world, I agree that companies are downsizing and it is important to be a generalist. This is the job that I currently have. Unfortunately, the number of these jobs appear to be shrinking. I have applied to consulting firms and found that they value depth of experience more than breadth of experience. So, where does that leave those of us with corporate EHS career paths? Should we be developing specialties? Changing fields entirely?

]]> By: mel Oleson http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-152 mel Oleson Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:26:45 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-152 The EHS field is becoming more political each year. Found that becoming a specialist in working legislation and regulatory interfaces has been very rewarding. Not only is the work challenging; but, can actually do good for both the business community and environment by guiding regulatory development toward economically and political sustainable goals. Background skills to do this has been technical (Scientist) yet, the real skill is ability to communicate complex concepts and messages in terms that law makers and regulatory executives can grasp and act on. It also helps to have a lot of patience as can take years to get some changes made. The EHS field is becoming more political each year. Found that becoming a specialist in working legislation and regulatory interfaces has been very rewarding. Not only is the work challenging; but, can actually do good for both the business community and environment by guiding regulatory development toward economically and political sustainable goals. Background skills to do this has been technical (Scientist) yet, the real skill is ability to communicate complex concepts and messages in terms that law makers and regulatory executives can grasp and act on. It also helps to have a lot of patience as can take years to get some changes made.

]]> By: Fred Rubel http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-151 Fred Rubel Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:12:55 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-151 A few individuals are extreemly bright and specialized, with outstanding capabilities in specialized areas. As long as that specialty is needed, they are "good to go." The rest of us (no offense intended), however, must rely on broader capabilities that will sustain us in the business world. There is a fine line that we need to be aware of. Perhaps the following expression has merit: "An expert in all areas is an expert in none." There is just too much information out there. We need to be carful about we are not "expert" in. Most of us must develop and maintiain core professional capabilities and knowledge, and then be able to reach beyond that. Today, the successful individual must constantly refine their skills and acquire and act on new knowledge rapidly. A few individuals are extreemly bright and specialized, with outstanding capabilities in specialized areas. As long as that specialty is needed, they are “good to go.” The rest of us (no offense intended), however, must rely on broader capabilities that will sustain us in the business world. There is a fine line that we need to be aware of. Perhaps the following expression has merit: “An expert in all areas is an expert in none.” There is just too much information out there. We need to be carful about we are not “expert” in. Most of us must develop and maintiain core professional capabilities and knowledge, and then be able to reach beyond that. Today, the successful individual must constantly refine their skills and acquire and act on new knowledge rapidly.

]]> By: Charles Kutterer http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-150 Charles Kutterer Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:28:50 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-150 I have found that more and more plant sites are doing more with less. Who hasn't heard that line before? And ESH isn’t immune to that either. It seems sites want a safety, health, environmental, security and sometimes facilities person all wrapped up in one. How can one possibly be an expert in anything if they have so many hats to wear? I have seen more sites going to the one person show model also. Is this a Midwest phenomenon? Or is it happening everywhere? That is why I try to keep my network plugged in and functioning well so I have resources to go to when I do need that expert question dealt with. Associations also help to keep that network alive. Maybe in consulting the expert continues to do well but in manufacturing it is a rare bird, at least in the St Louis region. Thanks Charlie I have found that more and more plant sites are doing more with less. Who hasn’t heard that line before? And ESH isn’t immune to that either.

It seems sites want a safety, health, environmental, security and sometimes facilities person all wrapped up in one. How can one possibly be an expert in anything if they have so many hats to wear?

I have seen more sites going to the one person show model also. Is this a Midwest phenomenon? Or is it happening everywhere?

That is why I try to keep my network plugged in and functioning well so I have resources to go to when I do need that expert question dealt with. Associations also help to keep that network alive.

Maybe in consulting the expert continues to do well but in manufacturing it is a rare bird, at least in the St Louis region.

Thanks
Charlie

]]> By: Mark Calmes http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-149 Mark Calmes Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:09:46 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-149 An old, wise oracle once said a generalist is a jack of all trades and a master of none. Sage advice then and now. An old, wise oracle once said a generalist is a jack of all trades and a master of none. Sage advice then and now.

]]> By: John Paul http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-148 John Paul Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:05:00 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-148 I have general experience dealing with air, hazardous waste, wastewater, remediation, and indurial hygiene issues for both the company and our customers. I am the Environmental/Regulatory Affairs Manager and work with US EPA, state DEP's, DEA, FDA, ATF, DHS,RoHS and REACH. I am the Director of online and onground training for our employees, customers and any companies or persons who request training. I am also an adjunct professor. General experience is rewarding as a career, however it lacks the monetary rewards of a specialist. I have general experience dealing with air, hazardous waste, wastewater, remediation, and indurial hygiene issues for both the company and our customers. I am the Environmental/Regulatory Affairs Manager and work with US EPA, state DEP’s, DEA, FDA, ATF, DHS,RoHS and REACH. I am the Director of online and onground training for our employees, customers and any companies or persons who request training. I am also an adjunct professor.
General experience is rewarding as a career, however it lacks the monetary rewards of a specialist.

]]> By: Dean M. Calhoun, CIH http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-147 Dean M. Calhoun, CIH Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:15:37 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-147 It's been my experience that you really need to be a generalist. With shrinking budgets and smaller staff you will need to learn how to handle a broad range of issues, but not necessarily be an "expert" in anyone of them. Special technical expertise can be outsourced on a "as-needed" basis. As always, solid management, business, and communication skills are valued the most. Dean M. Calhoun, CIH Affygility Solutions, LLC It’s been my experience that you really need to be a generalist. With shrinking budgets and smaller staff you will need to learn how to handle a broad range of issues, but not necessarily be an “expert” in anyone of them. Special technical expertise can be outsourced on a “as-needed” basis. As always, solid management, business, and communication skills are valued the most.

Dean M. Calhoun, CIH
Affygility Solutions, LLC

]]> By: Arlene Davidson http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-146 Arlene Davidson Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:08:47 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-146 Working with Fortune 500 customers during my 19 years at Dakota Software Corporation, I have found that the "technical specialist" still rules. What has changed is the broadening of the EHS specialist's knowledge base and responsibilities to include comprehensive regulatory awareness and development of a link to C-level executives for consulting on sustainability of all facets of the operation. And with that link, the EHS technical specialist's role has gained credibility. Working with Fortune 500 customers during my 19 years at Dakota Software Corporation, I have found that the “technical specialist” still rules. What has changed is the broadening of the EHS specialist’s knowledge base and responsibilities to include comprehensive regulatory awareness and development of a link to C-level executives for consulting on sustainability of all facets of the operation. And with that link, the EHS technical specialist’s role has gained credibility.

]]> By: David Williams http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-145 David Williams Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:59:35 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-145 This blog is a great place to have good virtual discussions and tie things together. Bruce points out that "We are living in a world where most people expect an immediate answer" - I agree that is a general expectation; however, in the same line of thinking as the "fake work" discussion, I think there is a lot of "fake urgency" out there as well. I see a lot of that - business problems that have existed for years suddenly have to be fixed with a "slam it in and move on" solution that may or may not actually make things better. David Maister in his book "True Professionalism" lays out 4 types of consulting firms using a healthcare metaphor. This analogy can also be applied to individuals and their careers. The "Pharmacist" is someone who will is well-trained and highly qualified but is typically not interacting heavily with clients and is cranking out a living by producing standard work over and over again. The "Nurse" is qualified and while cranking out standard work over and over must provide a high degree of "touch time" and have very good skills to walk the client through the process. The "Brain Surgeon" is very specialized, has a narrow focus and typically is delivering on very technical assignments that don't require a lot of client touch time - basically come in, solve a tough problem and move on. The "Pychotherapist" works on the issues of corporate politics, governance and broken organizations. His book has a very good treatment on this subject. Bottom line is that there is a place for all 4 types (spans from generalist in Pharmacists and Nurses to specialist in Brain Surgeons and Psychotherapists), but you have to decide what you want to be and put yourself in a position to deliver value in that role. This blog is a great place to have good virtual discussions and tie things together.

Bruce points out that “We are living in a world where most people expect an immediate answer” – I agree that is a general expectation; however, in the same line of thinking as the “fake work” discussion, I think there is a lot of “fake urgency” out there as well. I see a lot of that – business problems that have existed for years suddenly have to be fixed with a “slam it in and move on” solution that may or may not actually make things better.

David Maister in his book “True Professionalism” lays out 4 types of consulting firms using a healthcare metaphor. This analogy can also be applied to individuals and their careers. The “Pharmacist” is someone who will is well-trained and highly qualified but is typically not interacting heavily with clients and is cranking out a living by producing standard work over and over again. The “Nurse” is qualified and while cranking out standard work over and over must provide a high degree of “touch time” and have very good skills to walk the client through the process. The “Brain Surgeon” is very specialized, has a narrow focus and typically is delivering on very technical assignments that don’t require a lot of client touch time – basically come in, solve a tough problem and move on. The “Pychotherapist” works on the issues of corporate politics, governance and broken organizations. His book has a very good treatment on this subject.

Bottom line is that there is a place for all 4 types (spans from generalist in Pharmacists and Nurses to specialist in Brain Surgeons and Psychotherapists), but you have to decide what you want to be and put yourself in a position to deliver value in that role.

]]> By: George Crosby http://greentie.naem.org/2009/03/30/the-riches-are-in-the-niches/#comment-144 George Crosby Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:46:49 +0000 http://greentie.naem.org/?p=332#comment-144 I have been all over the place as far as experience from shift supervisor to superintendant to manger and everywhere I went I took EH&S with me. My latest is LEAN Champion and facilities work along wwith security and janitorial services So I had an IH tell me many years ago all of this is valuable and it is valuable to you somewhere someday down the road. I guess it worked I bring alot of knowlege I have been all over the place as far as experience from shift supervisor to superintendant to manger and everywhere I went I took EH&S with me. My latest is LEAN Champion and facilities work along wwith security and janitorial services So I had an IH tell me many years ago all of this is valuable and it is valuable to you somewhere someday down the road.

I guess it worked I bring alot of knowlege

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