Grow with the market, or come back later?

Kind of a fundamental question this one. It's about timing. Generally, I feel as if I've arrived in China late. Much of the boom has already happened. Many talk about the best opportunities already having gone, although I know this is a long way from being true. In consulting speak, I think the 'quick wins' have been taken - the chances to make a quick and easy buck or two. But the big wins that need more time investment and planning, they're still here to be had, and those are the really spectacular sustainable ones.

Sure in terms of timing, had I started learning mandarin seriously 2 years ago, I'd be at an advantage. Even better if I had the foresight to study Mandarin full time at University, but hey, seriously, an international career in China really wasn't on my mind at that time.

The question is of course, where do I go from here. I know that the consulting market is immature. I originally figured it would take a couple of years to mature, and that during those two years I could develop my mandarin and familiarise with the business context.

Since beginning this plan, it's been a little frustrating. I've been six months into work at Capgemini China, but without a long term client billable assignment. It's hard for me to emotionally accept, having essentially a CV experience gap. Admittedly I'm still paid, but for a consultant, in terms of CV value, it's akin to being unwanted and unemployed.

Much of this could be written off to language problems and being new in the company. To some extent also though, this is indicative of the stage that my company is at at the moment. If it were a much bigger stronger entity, then placing me would be much easier. Truth is of course, we're not quite there yet.

That's ok, one shouldn't really expect so much so early. Capgemini is going great guns in terms of setting up and taking on China. We've been seriously forming and storming, forming and storming, with a number of major successes to be proud of. It's still hard slog though, and they're still shaping up the plans for the future.

We're not quite flying yet mind you. Partly this is the company and our staff. Much also is to do with the clients, their maturity and consulting needs.

Maybe I should go away for two years and come back later when consulting really is up and running. Maybe being a part of the 'journey' is actually an ineffective use of my time. If I spent two years in 'industry', say in a bank or an FMCG company such as Procter & Gamble, then I could be far more effectively used, and could possibly learn more. It would be valuable to gain some of that deep consistent industy experience.

But then being a part of the engine that builds up a country practice, is a proud thing to do, and there surely is much to be gained from doing it. It should be an exciting experience, with no guarantees. Is it like climbing a mountain - the experience is in the climbing?

I'd ponder more, but I have to head out to dinner with Frances tonight. We're heading to Shintori, a japanese restaurant. Superb - haven't had sushi type stuff in a long time. It'll beat the wonton and mcdonalds I had for breakfast and lunch....!