Why time-based pricing doesn’t work for agencies, with Tim Williams
Jul 9, 2024
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Tim Williams, Founding Partner of Ignition Consulting Group, discusses why time-based pricing doesn't work for agencies, the influence of generative AI on pricing strategies, and key steps to transition to premium pricing. The conversation highlights the importance of modernizing pricing strategies to capture the value of services in a changing market.
Moving away from time-based billing towards premium pricing enables agencies to focus on solutions and profitability.
Account managers should shift towards consultative roles and offer bespoke business solutions for client success.
Deep dives
Challenges of Traditional Account Management
The traditional role of account managers is shifting towards more proactive and consultative responsibilities in agencies. Instead of focusing on tracking time and managing deliverables, the emphasis is on defining scope of value, success metrics, and offering solutions to business problems. This approach aims to enhance client interactions by providing strategic guidance and becoming commercially savvy advisors.
Transitioning to Premium Pricing Models
Tim Williams advocates for agencies to move away from time-based billing systems towards premium pricing strategies. By highlighting the limitations of hourly rates and the necessity of aligning agency services with client needs, Williams stresses that monetizing time creates economic misalignment and sets revenue limitations. Adopting premium pricing enables agencies to focus on delivering solutions and enhancing profitability.
Key Strategies for Agency Transformation
The transformation journey from traditional models to productized value-based pricing involves changing agency language, offering pricing options, and shifting business focus towards 'magic' high-value services. Tim Williams recommends redefining cost as price, presenting clients with multiple service options for improved sales outcomes, and transitioning towards innovative, high-value solution sets to better serve client needs.
Evolving Role of Account Managers
Account managers are encouraged to embrace consultative roles, strategic planning, and solution-focused approaches in place of being project-centric. The future role of account managers entails leading in defining value, success metrics, and providing bespoke business solutions rather than overseeing operational tasks. This shift aims to enhance client relationships, drive proactive problem-solving, and elevate the strategic contribution of account management teams.
Welcome to episode 117. This episode is going to be very relevant for you if you're responsible for pricing your agency's services.
I first saw Tim Williams, Founding Partner of Ignition Consulting Group, speak at an IPA conference in London in 2016. He was talking to agency owners about why they needed to ditch the billable hour if they wanted a profitable business. I've been following Tim's work in agency pricing and positioning ever since, and for me, he's been the consistent voice of sanity throughout the years.
Here are just a few of the topics we cover in our chat:
· why the time based billing system doesn't work for agencies.
· how generative AI is only accelerating the need for agencies to rethink their pricing strategies.
· and Tim shares key steps you can take right now to start the transition to premium pricing.
Ignition helps agencies and other professional service firms develop focused business strategies and transformative revenue models. You can follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timwilliamsicg/
or via the website: https://www.ignitiongroup.com.
If you’re listening to this during the summer of 2024, I'm going to be running some free 20 minutes mini training webinars for agency account management soon. If you’d like to be notified about these first, please sign up to my email newsletter via https://www.accountmanagementskills.com
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