Successful Independent Consulting
OCTOBER 27, 2023
Photo 2930678 | Rate © Shirley Hu | Dreamstime.com Too many solopreneurs undercharge for their expertise. They don’t know to add a hefty margin to cover things like self-employment tax, business expenses, health insurance, and nonbillable time spent on business administration. Or they haven’t raised their rates consistently over time, or they haven’t switched to a fixed fee.
David A Fields
OCTOBER 10, 2023
When your consulting firm delivers recommendations well, your clients appreciate your work and compliment you. When your recommendations are delivered with the nuance and power of a John Williams score (e.g., Star Wars, ET, Harry Potter, Jaws, etc.), your clients love your work, their trust in your consulting firm blossoms, they find more ways to … Continued The post 5 Notes to Ensure Your Consulting Firm’s Recommendations Resonate appeared first on David A.
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Leadership Planning with Liz Weber CMC
JUNE 20, 2023
Four times in the last two weeks, I’ve been asked to help a client or their management team hone their communication skills so they better understand one another and so their meetings and strategic planning update sessions are ‘tighter’ and more productive. In various ways each client said, “Help! We’re drowning! We’ve got too […] The post Communicating With Executives So They Get It appeared first on Weber Business Services, LLC.
Tom Spencer
SEPTEMBER 8, 2023
Most entrepreneurs and product managers (PMs) know that they need to find out what people want. In this article, we will look at how to conduct what is called ‘ customer development ’ – the process through which a business comes to understand the needs, pain points, and behavior of potential customers through direct conversation and feedback. Customer development is often carried out through discovery calls, made over the phone or by video call, or it can be done in person.
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AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.
David A Fields
NOVEMBER 14, 2023
Correctly pricing your consulting firm’s projects is like positioning a balloon in an unlit room made of nails. I’m not sure why such a room would exist or how you would get the balloon in there, but go with me on this one. On the pricing floor of the room are the rusty nails that … Continued The post How to Price Your Consulting Projects High… But Not TOO High appeared first on David A.
Management Consulting Connection brings together the best content for management consulting professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Clarity Consultants
JUNE 28, 2023
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, where technological advancements and market dynamics are constantly changing, the concept of continuous learning has become vital for individuals and organizations. Fostering a culture of continuous learning within organizations boosts employee engagement and satisfaction and fuels innovation, growth, and long-term success.
Harvard Business
DECEMBER 13, 2023
Becoming a great leader is a journey of continuous learning and growth. It’s a process — one that thrives on embracing challenges, seeking feedback, fostering connections, and cultivating understanding. In this article, the author outlines the eight most essential leadership qualities, according to Harvard Business School professor Linda Hill, one of the world’s top experts on leadership.
Chad Barr
DECEMBER 27, 2023
As the year draws to a close, many of us reflect on the past months, taking stock of our triumphs and missteps. The media floods our screens with retrospectives, highlighting the achievements and challenges of both the famous and the unsung. But amidst this deluge of recollections, we must ask ourselves: What truly resonates with us? What personal milestones have we marked, and what aspirations do we hold for the year ahead?
Johanna Rothman
APRIL 28, 2023
Sherry, a middle manager in a relatively small organization, said, “We can’t plan for an entire quarter at a time. Our managers need to change what they want more often than that. But I'd like to plan for a quarter at a time and I really don't want to ask people to multitask. What do I do?” “How long can the managers commit to their decisions?
Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System
Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.
Johanna Rothman
FEBRUARY 6, 2023
Strategy and Product Feedback Loops About 20 years ago, I taught a project management workshop to IT people. Their products and services did not ship outside the building—their products and services enabled the organization to make money. During that workshop, the participants all had the same question, “How do we engage our stakeholders?
Consulting Matters
MAY 4, 2023
Get ready for a powerful conversation about creating your success by being yourself and using your story to ignite transformation in your consulting and coaching clients! Today, we’re wrapping up my mini-storytelling series with my guest Joy Spencer. She is a powerful storyteller. Initially, I wanted Joy on the show to share her tips and best practices on how to tell compelling stories.
David A Fields
APRIL 11, 2023
A senior colleague at your consulting firm keynotes Cacao Jam, the cacao dessert industry’s annual conference. As she wraps up her inspiring tale of the modern workplace melting pot, the audience rises to its feet. She basks in the thunderous applause and the glow of the spotlight framing her against the chocolatey brown backdrop. You … Continued The post Your Brand vs.
David A Fields
MAY 2, 2023
Most of the time, you and your colleagues at your consulting firm are hard-working, nose-to-the-grindstone types. But today… well, today it’s gorgeous outside. Today you’d rather play golf, or watch golf videos on YouTube, or shop for golf gear. Hey… that time-lapse video on growing fescue looks sorta interesting! In fact, anything other than work … Continued The post How to Beat the Procrastination Bug at Your Consulting Firm appeared first on David A.
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David A Fields
OCTOBER 24, 2023
Watching the Dunning-Krueger Effect in action can range from amusing to frustrating to downright frightening. The impact on your consulting firm is very real because it affects your target market and also your consulting team (including you). What is the Dunning-Krueger Effect? Your ten year-old, having watched you drive from their car seat, and with … Continued The post Oh No!
David A Fields
MAY 16, 2023
Running a boutique consulting firm can feel like sailing the Drake Passage during a storm on a 30-foot sloop. Stomach-lurching ups and downs, and moments of panic interspersed with general exhilaration. While most of your crew and passengers are helpful, if you spend enough time cruising the consulting seas, you’ll encounter at least a few … Continued The post 5 Consulting Clients to Steer Clear Of (Regardless of the Revenue) appeared first on David A.
David A Fields
APRIL 18, 2023
Consultants frequently (and unknowingly) mishandle proposal discussions with prospective clients. As a result, they take on projects that were improperly scoped. Or they set their consulting firm up to disappoint the client, leave opportunities on the table or, in some cases, lose promising engagements. Imagine you submitted a proposal to Sara Noé, CEO of Bean-Free … Continued The post Are Your Clients Resistant or Just Confused?
David A Fields
FEBRUARY 14, 2023
You see a lot of book lists floating around the interwebs. Many contain great recommendations of useful books for consulting firm leaders. However, the books on the list are largely not unexpected or trajectory shifting. (I say that despite many lists highlighting one of my books, which is flattering, of course.) Some of the most … Continued The post 5 Unexpected Books Every Consultant Should Read appeared first on David A.
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Savings Consultants are needed in today’s market more than ever. With an increase in expenses, businesses are looking for opportunities to save. Often unknown to businesses are savings in expense reduction, specialized tax savings, specialized savings including medical underpayments, health benefits cost reduction, zero cost processing, and more. Blue Coast Savings, with over 20 years in business, assists Savings Consultants in helping these companies move toward more profitable businesses.
David A Fields
APRIL 25, 2023
Some marketing campaigns are iconic. Nike’s “Just Do It”, Apple’s “Think Different” and my Nike/Apple/David mashup, “Just Think About Chocolate” all come to mind. You don’t need iconic marketing to build awareness of your consulting firm. But doesn’t your consulting firm’s marketing need to be at least, well, passably okay? As you know, there are … Continued The post How Bad Marketing Can Help Your Consulting Firm appeared first on David A.
Clarity Consultants
SEPTEMBER 21, 2023
Continuous learning is essential for individual and organizational success. As companies increasingly turn to eLearning platforms to facilitate employee training and development, it’s crucial to understand the cognitive processes at play. Let’s look into the fascinating world of Cognitive Load Theory and explore how it impacts learning from a corporate perspective.
Clarity Consultants
OCTOBER 5, 2023
The pursuit of continuous learning and development has never been more imperative in the corporate world today. As organizations strive to keep pace with technological advancements, one innovation stands out as a potential game-changer in corporate learning and development: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Let’s explore AI’s profound impact on corporate learning and its implications for the future.
Clarity Consultants
NOVEMBER 16, 2023
The need for effective leadership has never been more crucial. However, despite recognizing leadership’s significance, traditional leadership development models often fail to produce leaders who can navigate the complexities of the modern world. Let’s look into the limitations of these conventional methods, illuminating why they frequently need to improve in cultivating leaders who can propel success and nurture innovation.
This White Paper targets opportunities for Management to develop proficiency in the Decision Framing and Analyses element of input to Decision, & Risk Analyses for Major Project Funding Decisions.
Clarity Consultants
MAY 31, 2023
Knowledge retention and skill development are typically goals when organizations design training programs. Keeping employees engaged through the coursework is essential to achieving those objectives. Without engagement, it’s easy for learners to functionally tune out, reducing how much information they’ll recall later. Fortunately, it’s possible to boost employment by harnessing the power of gamification.
Consulting Success
JANUARY 13, 2023
Coaching vs consulting: what are the differences and similarities? In a nutshell… A coach focuses on asking questions and helping the person that they’re working with form their own answers. They also provide accountability to the person they’re coaching. That person is an individual who may or may not be a part of an organization. Coaching Vs Consulting: What’s The Difference?
Consulting Success
DECEMBER 18, 2023
Build not just a brand, but a magnetic force that attracts opportunities. Today, Joe Mechlinski, the founder of Gift of Work, shows us the way to speaking, recurring revenue, and personal brand converge to reshape the future of consulting. Hear about his early struggles and how he found a unique approach to consulting that changed.
Clarity Consultants
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
When it comes to education and training, it’s no secret there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The concept of personalized learning–where programs are tailored to individual needs–has become more popular than ever. Each learner has unique goals, interests, preferences, and abilities. A training program that resonates with one may leave another feeling lost, which is why creating customized lessons is vital for your business’s success.
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Case studies are proof of successful client relations and a verifiable product or service. They persuade buyers by highlighting your customers' experiences with your company and its solution. In sales, case studies are crucial pieces of content that can be tailored to prospects' pain points and used throughout the buyer's journey. In marketing, case studies are versatile assets for generating business, providing reusable elements for ad and social media content, website material, and marketing c
Clarity Consultants
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
The corporate world has seen a significant shift in how employees acquire new skills and knowledge. With the rise of technology and the increasing adoption of remote and hybrid learning, organizations are rethinking their training and development strategies. To excel in this evolving landscape, instructional design becomes paramount. Let’s dive into strategies and best practices for designing effective online and hybrid learning experiences.
David A Fields
DECEMBER 19, 2023
If your consulting firm’s offerings are suited for it, Colorado Pricing could increase your revenue and profitability while smoothing out the up/down cycle of consulting. 2-Constraint vs. 1-Constraint Consulting Projects Quite a lot of consulting consists of discrete, one-and-done projects. For instance, Cadbunny’s chocolate chips are melting, so they hire your consulting firm for $150K. … Continued The post “Colorado Pricing.
Consulting Success
MAY 12, 2023
Recently, a Clarity Coaching client reached out about the challenges they were having with their consulting pipeline. “My main challenge is filling my pipeline so I’ve been putting a lot of energy into marketing. This fall I changed the focus of my non-profit consulting practice. By far, most of my work had been with a.
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