Midweek Fun
During the working week it’s always good to get out with the crew and sweat it out on the court. Every week our consulting team plays against others in a social grade. Last season we came 3rd in our division and this season we’ve been bumped up to div 2. Can’t wait for the next game!
Cheers, Stuart
The recruiting season has begun and our ‘people and performance’ team are busy organising events so that you can meet us, understand what we do, and decide whether consulting (or other service lines) are for you.
During these events you will have one-on-one time with past graduates (like me) allowing you to get answers to all your questions about what a future at Deloitte will entail. Keep an eye out for appearances from firm Partners too.
So don’t be shy, come to our events and speak to us about a career with Deloitte. A list of upcoming events can be seen on the ‘events’ tab on our facebook page. Applications are open until 26 March and you can apply at www.gradu8.co.nz
Meeting the new grads
When you join Deloitte you are assigned a ‘buddy’ the role of your buddy is to help answer your day-to-day queries and any questions that you don’t want to ask the bigwigs.
After a couple of phone calls and emails I finally met my buddy and the new grads. They had just finished their induction in Auckland - 3 days of learning, socialising, and having fun.
It’s so easy to realise that the questions they are asking are the same questions I asked when I started: “How do I code this on my timesheet?”, “What’s the cell phone plan?”, “How do I get involved in this area?”, “What’s all this e-learning about?”.
They’re all enthusiastic, keen to make a start, and eager to learn. They’re going to need this come their first project.
Cheers, Stuart
Fly Home Friday
Once a month we take a day to stay in our home office with our local colleagues. We train, meet with our career counsellors, and usually integrate a social aspect. Here is a quick run-down of how the day went.
8:00am: Video conference with Wellington and Auckland. Managing Partner of Consulting for Deloitte NZ meets with junior staff to give feedback on our requests. He is open and has addresses all suggestions we have. Perfect.
9:00am: Finish off proposal and get it out the door so it arrives before midday deadline.
9:45am: Time is tight. Taxi to client for a meeting.
10:00am: Client meeting kicks off
11:30am: Excellent day in Wellington so I walk back to the office
12:00pm: Video conference with Wellington and Auckland. Strategy and Operations Partner update. We learn about new wins, how we’re performing, and have general business discussion.
1:00pm: Lunch in the office. Today we’re having butter chicken, cashew rice, naan, and a selection of drinks. I speak to a Partner about how we can improve the Graduate Boot Camp held in Melbourne.
1:30pm: Internal meeting with the Actuarial Services service line to discuss project options.
2:00pm: Meet with my career counsellor. We discuss performance on my previous project and set goals for my next project.
2:30pm: Attend to client project work. Complete some admin for the Relay for Life which we will participate in.
3:00pm: Strategy and Operations training. This session is about one of our key accounts. We make progress on how we can collaborate across service lines to provide better service to our clients.
4:00pm: Plenary session (see pic - sorry about quality). The whole Consulting practice in Wellington gathers for an update on performance and projects. I’m called on by a Partner to give an update on the project I’m working on – thanks for the warning!
5:00pm: Social event, Croquet, is cancelled due to weather. We head down stairs for drinks and nibbles at a local bar.
7:00pm: Managed to score some tickets to the Phoenix from Deloitte. We win 3-0!!!
A busy day but absolutely typical for a Fly Home Friday. Can’t wait for the next one!
Cheers, Stuart
One of the ‘signals’ we live by at Deloitte is ‘celebrate and have fun’. On Thursday my project team went for a dinner to celebrate the successful completion of a large and intense project.
The food was good, the wine excellent, and the sommelier’s knowledge was impressive but it was a lot more than that which made this such an enjoyable occasion.
While working on an intense project you are put into a situation where you have to deal with complex problems and find a solution as a team. Working with a team of people who are dedicated, hard working, and all focused on providing the same solution makes the job so much easier.
We all enjoy each other’s company at work which brings no surprise that we have a great time together when we go out. This is really what made the dinner so enjoyable.
Working from home
Last year funds usually spent on employee Christmas gifts were donated to charity. In Wellington that donation went to Ronald McDonald House. The House provides free accommodation to out-of-town families that have an under 21 family member in hospital. As a member of the Corporate Responsibility team I was invited to attend a tour of the House and a discussion with the CEO.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect beforehand but was very impressed with both the House itself and the organisation. There was a very homely atmosphere and design throughout the building. A foosball table, several Play Stations, modern kitchen, pictures on the walls, kids toys, an electric piano, and a lounge for parents. Sophie (from Tax) and I got a bit carried away when we saw the Rock Band kit (see picture).
Lesley, the CEO, explained that they are building a new House to replace the existing one in Wellington. It will allow the organisation to double the families it can house. The costs in this exercise are huge so it helps that they have support from the whole community.
Some quick facts about the House:
As part of our monthly social events in Consulting, I will be arranging for an evening where we cook for the guests. If you wish to volunteer in anyway then please contact your local House.
The Deloitte Crew
Each year those keen to get wet, sweaty, and row within an inch of their life, spend a few months over summer practicing for the Dragon Boat Race. I retired after my first (and only) season last year but decided to go along and spend a session with the team and reminisce about my former pastime.
Sure enough the team manager (Trevor; pictured above) couldn’t resist showing up despite prior engagements. As a former competitive dragon boater, Trev knows his stuff and gave his commands to the team. Instantly the team has improved technique and timing - nice Trev.
The Dragon Boating ‘Fun Day’ is in the Wellington harbour this Sunday (31 Jan). Come for a walk on the waterfront and check out the teams competing.
Living and breathing Wellington
The nature of Consulting means that we are always commuting throughout the CBD (or country) to visit clients and client offices. On a nice day walking through Wellington is such a pleasure for the sights and the people. It’s guaranteed that when you walk out the office and down the street you’ll bump into a colleague, former client, friend, or New Zealand B-grade celebrity.
The pictures attached in this post were taken today on my walk back from a client and represent some of the great sights that Wellington has to offer.
During November I decided that I’d participate in Movember (much to the Partners’ disgust). Although I couldn’t get impressive handlebars, I did manage to avoid the feared ‘lame-mo’. Somehow I was awarded second prize and the real good news is that Deloitte raised $3,150 for men’s health! This pic was taken at end of month drinks held at the Wellington office.
We have a number of social events which are on all the time at Deloitte – you will hear more about these from reading this blog. The event this Friday is a monthly occurrence called Fly Home Friday (FHF). On FHF all consultants head back to their home office and spend a day together. The day revolves around training, seminars, lunch, drinks and catching up with colleagues. Can’t wait!
This Friday is also the Christmas function for the Wellington consulting team, which will be held in town. Details are scarce at the moment but stay tuned for an update.
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