unbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketing

Sure, consulting services are great. But you know what's even better? Consulting programs! As in: Outcome-focused, time-boxed, and IP-supported bundles of services and capabilities. They're just so much clearer and therefore more helpful for everyone... plus they can really improve your delivery! And in this episode, Ash and Flo will give you the full rundown of why they're great and how you might start to design some.   Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota   Shownotes No notes for this one!

Discover why leading with your services can do more harm than good. The hosts reveal the importance of discussing client problems and outcomes first. They argue that presenting services too early commoditizes consulting. Learn how to frame services within a client's journey and map them to specific milestones. The discussion includes tips on aligning service language with your value proposition. Ultimately, it’s about guiding clients towards solutions, not listing offerings upfront!

So how, exactly, did things go in 2025? And what, exactly, did we learn? We brought on advisor to the consulting industry, founder of Prudent Pedal and all-around sector strategist, Jeff McKay, to discuss his insights into where we've been, we're we're headed, and, sure: what to make of "AI" and other new pressures resetting consulting. Listen to it here! Episode guest Jeff McKay, founder, Prudent Pedal   Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota   Shownotes:  Check out Jeff's blog about designing the AI era professional services org here  

Consulting is evolving, and AI isn't killing it—it's reshaping perceptions! Discover how firms can adapt to clients' declining payment willingness by embracing AI, but beware of the risk of 'good enough' outputs. Ash and Flo highlight the necessity for mid-level 'AI wranglers' and argue that boutiques can thrive by leveraging deep expertise alongside AI. As the industry shifts, specialization is key, and training domain experts is essential for success. Stay ahead by refining propositions and focusing on quality in deliverables!

THE PODCAST IS BACK! (Sorry for yelling...) And this time, we’re looking at the other side of the trust equation: not just whether clients trust you, but whether they trust themselves—to make the right decision, rally internal support, and deliver results. Listen in how a well-crafted consulting proposition can help them build this self-confidence... and, therefore, hire you ;) Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota   Shownotes No notes for this one!

In this engaging discussion, Charlotte Crowther, founder of SignatureFramework.com and a methodology expert, shares her insights on crafting effective signature frameworks that elevate consulting practices. She introduces her three-step approach—codify, visualize, leverage—that helps firms stand out. Charlotte's layered design process addresses common pitfalls and highlights the importance of validation and feedback for successful rollout. Learn how to transform your frameworks from mere slides into powerful systems that drive results!

Ever heard of "Rainmakers" - the bizdev champions of the services world? HBR published a piece saying their game is changing. Ash and Flo dove in to figure out how, exactly (spoiler: it's related to marketing!) Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota Please find the shownotes to this episode at unbillable-hrs.com.

We're back - and start our post-summer show with a deep dive into answers to the dreaded question "What should our consultancy post about?" (or some such): Tune in to hear Flo discuss the best philosophy for thought leadership planning and how to derive content from your value proposition. Enjoy!   Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota Shownotes Check out the upcoming Deltek Webinar feat. Flo here  

You’ve nailed your value proposition—now what? In this episode, we show how consultancies can embed business development capabilities across the whole firm, turning scattered effort into a coordinated go-to-market machine. Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota   Shownotes No notes for this one!

There, we'll say it: "Cold outreach selling" - whether by email, phone, or LinkedIn - doesn't really work in consulting (with a few exceptions perhaps confirming this rule). So... what can you do instead? Ash and Flo share some insights and tips you might want to listen to before sinking another 20k into an outreach effort with no ROI... Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota   Shownotes No notes for this one!