Pro Serv Podcast by Collective 54

Ben Edwards, VP of Partnerships at CMAP, shares insights on time management tailored for boutique consulting firms. He discusses the crucial role of effective time tracking systems and how integrating them with CRM and financial tools can supercharge productivity. The conversation dives into practical strategies for monitoring project progress and financial health, emphasizing the need for clear communication in resource allocation. Listeners also get valuable tips on fostering a culture of efficiency that empowers employees to thrive.

In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Collective 54 Member, Dave Makerewich, Founder & President at Maven, who transitioned from being a client to establishing a thriving boutique professional service firm. Discover how his firsthand experience as a client shaped his understanding of the industry's needs and fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. Through insightful anecdotes and lessons learned, uncover the unique challenges and triumphs of building a business from a client's perspective. https://www.collective54.com

In this session, Collective 54 Member Tom Zucker, President at EdgePoint Advisors, and Greg Alexander review recent research from over 200 acquirers that suggests the 5 attributes that make a firm an attractive acquisition target, and the 4 attributes that scare acquirers away. The research quantifies how “attractiveness” drives up valuations and how you can increase the worth of your firm.  https://www.collective54.com

In this session, Collective 54 Member Andrew Thompson, CEO and Co-Founder at Notch Partners, LLC, together with their Head of Business and Financial Services, Jeff Weathers, will share how it is never too late to get serious about converting a lifestyle firm into a scalable boutique. This session will discuss the use of a dedicated task force to make up for lost time and how it can restart the boutique lifecycle clock. You will learn the who, what, when, where, why, and how to invest in a dedicated task force inside a small service firm to get back on track. https://www.collective54.com

William Lieberman, Managing Partner at The CEO’s Right Hand, shares his expertise in financial management for small to medium businesses. He and Greg Alexander break down the essentials of Profit and Loss statements, simplifying crucial terms like EBITDA and net income. They delve into important topics such as the nuances of OPEX versus CAPEX, and emphasize the role of clear financial reporting in business valuation. The discussion also touches on transitioning to accrual accounting and its impact on financial credibility. Perfect insights for service firm leaders!

Join Collective 54 Member Michael Ivie, Managing Partner at Phyton Consulting, and learn how his firm got to $3 million per month in revenue before their second birthday, crashed because of a Black Swan event, and executed a world class recovery, emerging stronger than ever. This session will help members identify risk, in all its forms, and develop a risk mitigation strategy to bullet proof their firms.  https://www.collective54.com

In this session, Collective 54 Member Jamey Harvey, CEO at Agilian, will share how he addressed one of the biggest risks for small service firms- client concentration. Items discussed will be benchmarks to measure client concentration, an early warning detection system, the impact on strategy client concentration should have on your firm, how long it takes to fix the issue, the most successful risk mitigation strategies, and how to prevent client concentration from destroying your firm. http://www.collective54.com

According to the US Bureau of Census, 90% of small businesses in America are family-owned and operated. Many Collective 54 members work alongside family members daily. Are you? Should you? There is a different set of management best practices used to grow, scale, and exit a service firm owned and operated by a family. Attend this session to learn from Collective 54 Member Carajane Moore, President, together with her brother Tom Searcy, Founder and CEO, at Hunt Big Sales, on how mixing family and business can be an effective way to fulfill your dreams—personal and professional. https://www.collective54.com

In this session, we delve into the pivotal function management meetings serve during the intricate process of selling a firm. We'll explore how these gatherings can effectively showcase the company's strengths, address potential concerns, and foster a sense of trust and transparency with prospective buyers. Attendees will learn from Collective 54 Member Matt Rosen, Founder & CEO at Allata, how to leverage management meetings to not only impress buyers but also to secure a favorable sale outcome. www.collective54.com

Learn about the power of content marketing for revenue growth without sales calls. Discover how to engage an audience, create compelling content, and use technology to scale. Explore the challenges of content marketing and the importance of involving service delivery people. Hear an inspiring success story of achieving $5 million without sales calls using AI and content marketing.