Hi Keith,
I've never hold any managerial position within the eduction field, but I had an intensive academic experience doing research before moving to consulting, where I am at this time, so I think I can help you by provoking some reflexion that, I'm sure, you will develop by yourself.
I would tell you the transition, despites of the position, has to be driven by some shifts on your perspectives, I mean, probably you used to make a direct demand analysis when you looked at your higher eduction target-market, so, simplifying, I would say you conducted businesses in terms of delivering content that had to match some group's needs.
Now, when you are in the consulting field, there is an extremely relevant new element on stage: your client. As an e-learning consultant you are supposed to plan and/or execute projects for your clients in order to enable them to meet the strategic levels of perfomance and productivity they need to achieve their general business targets.
So, if you are able to evaluate your client's business needs firstly, then the strategic concerns about the education of their personel and, eventualy, define an e-learning project to give them the right content to make their corporation move towards their new capabilities at adequate costs, time-to-market, flexibility, and so on, then you will be performing as a consultant.
For me, the most interesting aspect in the movement you are doing now is the dynamics of quickly adapt yourself and your teams to distinct demands due to the fact of dealing with different clients. At the same time it challenges you, it teaches you more.
Good luck!
