unbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketing

A new year, a new chapter for the podcast! Listen to how Ash and Flo will focus the show on "systematizing" business development from now on, and hear them explain the concept and underpinning structure so you can understand what's coming (well' be exploring systematic strategy, client journey, firm story and bizdev systems from here on in... we hope you enjoy it!). Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

In a year where many consultancies struggled, US martech boutique "Stitch" crushed it. Their secret? Intentionally designing a strategy around a single tech vendor, and then building from there. Stitch CEO Michael Burton is back to share why doubling down on a partnership like this worked, how the tech consulting landscape is shifting, and why 2025 looks even better. Listen in to learn why sometimes "putting all your eggs in one basket" might be smarter than you think. Episode guest: Michael Burton, Founder and CEO, Stitch. 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 for this episode at unbillable-hrs.com

Most consultancies "do marketing" like they think it should be done, which is: as mere promotion. The most successful firms, however, do it differently - and follow a process which, Ash and Flo argue, is much more similar to scientific publishing... Listen in to learn how, why - and why you should consider 'copying science' in this way, too. Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Did "Gen AI" just create a "leopards-eat-my-face" moment in consulting? Ash and Flo aren't entirely sure yet... but they're certain the technology - with all its current issues - has started to impact the industry. Listen in on their discussion how firms and their marketers should respond: Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

It’s that time of year when consulting firms pull out their crystal balls to forecast the future. But we’re turning the spotlight back on them. Austin McNair from Hinge gives us a sneak peek into their upcoming research on high-growth consulting firms. Curious about what makes firms thrive or want our wild predictions? Tune in and get ahead of Hinge’s newest insights. P.S.: Please participate in their survey to indirectly tell us where we have it all wrong ;) - https://hingemarketing.com/unbillable   Episode guest: Austin McNair, marketing lead, Hinge 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 for this episode at unbillable-hrs.com.  

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.