Welcome to #MeetCoolPeople Podcast! Today, I had the great pleasure of talking with Michael Haynes, a B2B go-to-market specialist and the mastermind behind Listen, Innovate, Grow. 

Michael helps small and medium professional service firms—like those in accounting, technology, and law—navigate to a new level of client acquisition, retention, and sustainable growth.

Our conversation kicked off with Michael explaining what a “go-to-market strategy” truly means. 

Simply put, it's a comprehensive roadmap for how a firm and its solutions make their way to the marketplace. 

Michael shared his journey, transitioning from focusing on customer research in the telecommunications industry to catering to the nuanced needs of professional service firms. He shared his A.I.R. Driven Framework that helps professional service buyers prioritize and build expertise and trust with tier prospects and client.

Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:

• **Listening is Paramount:** Michael emphasized the importance of three levels of listening—understanding business leaders, the market, and client needs. This forms the bedrock for an effective go-to-market strategy.
• **Content Distribution is Crucial:** Strategic content creation and its placement where clients frequent—through associations, industry publications, and even podcasts—are essential to building relationships and securing clients.
• **Micro Events are Game Changers:** Hosting roundtables, Q&A sessions, and strategy brainstorms, especially online, can effectively engage decision-makers without demanding much of their time.
• **Strategic Collaborations Open Doors:** Identifying and collaborating with the right people or organizations can offer expansion opportunities without heavy resource investment.
• **Trust and Expertise Drive Client Decisions:** Being recognized as a valuable advisor in your industry, often achieved through strategic collaborations and immersive market engagement, can significantly influence professional services buying behavior.

For anyone looking to connect with Michael Haynes, you can find him on LinkedIn where he is always sharing valuable content. Also, don’t forget to check out his website where you can access his playbook—a short PDF that outlines a go-to-market framework and actionable steps to put your plans into motion at https://listeninnovategrow.com/sme-playbook/

Want to see how my team and I can help you convert more of your casual connections into clients?

Watch the free training at https://convertmoreclientsnow.com