unbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketing

Consultancy marketing can feel like an uphill battle, but Ash and Flo unveil the root causes and offer practical solutions. Consistency is key—they discuss how unified messaging and strategic focus can transform external perceptions. A fitness metaphor illustrates prioritizing key marketing touchpoints, ensuring that firms don’t spread themselves too thin. Plus, measuring inputs is essential for crafting effective marketing strategies that drive revenue growth, showcased through a compelling case study.

Andy West, founder of Westofcenter Consulting, shares his expertise in business growth and insights from his popular LinkedIn newsletter, "Agency Advisory." He discusses how professionals can leverage LinkedIn newsletters as powerful marketing tools, emphasizing consistency and authenticity. The conversation dives into crafting curated content specifically for agency leaders, highlighting the importance of genuine engagement and personal branding. Andy also explores strategies for content distribution, showcasing successful transitions from traditional newsletters to dynamic platforms.

Stressed out by "new biz," RFPs, pitches and proposals? Might be your firm's vague value proposition is at fault... Listen to Ash and Flo discussing the "downstream" issues caused by too broad, too generic propositions, and how these lead to much-too-high pre-sales and bid management efforts and business development cost. Oh, and, stay tuned for their tips re. how to do better! Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota  

We constantly tell consultancy marketers to speak less about what their firms do, and more about which outcomes they can deliver. But hey, easy for us to say, right? What are you supposed to do if your firm doesn't seem to have any hard outcome data points to share? Ash and Flo explain:  Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota    

Nikhil Suresh, co-founder of Hermit Tech, a consultancy specialized in ethical data practices, delves into radical candor as a driving force for firm growth. He candidly discusses the crucial need for ethicality in consulting and the increasing challenges in the tech landscape. Nikhil critiques the hype surrounding AI, champions genuine client advice, and explores the shifting dynamics in data science jobs. Lastly, he highlights emerging trends, including the possible resurgence of on-premises solutions amid evolving market demands.

Do your firm's service websites convert... or stink? Chances are, they're at least a bit smelly - simply because that's the expected state of things in this industry of ours. But don't fret... you can make them much, much more effective quickly by using the principle and structure Flo discusses in this episode. Oh, you might want to reference this Bain website as you listen to this (it's our case example for this episode). Voices, production, etc., by Flo only (just this time). Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

It's a summer break replay y'all ... focused on a key, key topic: Strategic account management - if well executed - is one of the best ways to win new work for a firm. Which is why we invited friend of the show and account strategy expert Ute Wellenberg to explain how she drives effective account planning. And, well ... Let's just say: If your job is to market a consultancy - you can't miss this episode!   Episode guest: Ute Wellenberg, friend of the show and account strategy GOAT (so to say). Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota   Pls. find the shownotes to this episode at unbillable-hrs.com!

In our experience, many consulting workshops are far less effective than they should be – and it really has to change. Which is why we invited Mesozoic’s João Landeiro, an expert in workshop design and facilitation, to hear from him how experts can turn unfocused examples of do-not-much ‘executive education’ into laser-focused productivity sessions driving real results. Episode guest: João Landeiro, founder, Mesozoic. 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 for this episode at unbillable-hrs.com

Keen for some practical tips for improving your firm's business development AND delivery success? Then listen to this replay of a recent Deltek webinar, which has Flo summarize a few key pointers around value proposition refinement and "signature method" design! Episode host: Deltek, through their "Powering consulting efficiencies" series. Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota Pls. find the webinary-accompanying blogpost here.

Yes, we've discussed productizing before on this podcast... but we hadn't done so with Eisha Tierney Armstrong yet, who literally wrote the book about it. So, Ash and Flo invited her on - and she kindly hopped on to share what she knows about structuring, templatizing, and tech-enabling services before building entire "products." A Highly recommended listen! Episode guest: Eisha Tierney Armstrong, co-founder, Vecteris, and author, "Productize" (among other things) 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 for this episode at unbillable-hrs.com