Our purpose in developing a balanced portfolio approach to our work is to:

• Encourage ownership and planning of work preferences, opportunities, and commitments.
• Open up discussion about what has and hasn't worked well in the past, and to plan for a more balanced workload for our consultants in 2009.

For the consultants in Thought Partners, the challenge is to achieve a balance between:

• One-off assignments and long-term, or repeat work.
• New clients and those whom we have a strong and long-term relationship with.
• Growing new areas of expertise and deepening competence in existing areas.
• Local work and projects that require travel within or outside NZ.
• The do-ing and time to read, reflect, design and recover.
• Client assignments and working on business improvement and development.
• Work and family or other commitments.
• Client needs and consultant wellbeing for example annual leave.
• Paid client work and gift work with community organisations.

In the coaching conversations Directors have with consultants we have asked our people to think about:

1. The year they've had, and how satisfied were they about the mix of work projects.
2. What energised them, and have they had the opportunity to do what they love?
3. What they'd like to do more of and less of in 2009.

Key to the balanced portfolio is the discussion, sharing of goals with team members and scheduling time in diaries to support the achievement of goals.  We acknowledge that the goals set by our consultants may not be fully realised due to client and business requirements.  However, having established the platform to discuss preferences at the time of work allocation, and in the discussion with clients, we plan to achieve improved balance and wellbeing for all.