
Climb In Consulting
As a management consultant myself I’ve always been lucky to have mentors who have guided me through my career.
When I was in house I regularly had quality time with Senior Partners that helped me rapidly accelerate my career and has continued to help since I’ve gone out on my own.
While I had this great resource and knowledge bank to draw on I know many friends in Consulting aren’t as lucky with some only speaking with senior partners on a monthly or quarterly basis.
That’s why I created this podcast.
I wanted to help people like you who want to accelerate their careers in consulting by interviewing leaders in the field to share the advice, tips and strategies that they used to get to the top so that you can to so that you can too.
In each Episode I’ll be interviewing a senior figure in the industry so that you can learn from them. We’ll be going deep in to their background, how they succeeded and what their advice would be for you.
This podcast is brought to you by Create Engage the Digital Marketing agency for the disruptive Management Consultancy.
Digital Marketing has moved forward, but most consulting firms haven’t. Many Consulting firms still see their corporate blog as their sole Digital Marketing channel and find themselves frustrated when these blogs yield little if any results.
To help those of you who want to harness the power of Digital Marketing to grow your Consulting Business but don’t have the knowledge, capacity or in-house capability to do so I launched Create Engage, the first Digital Marketing agency for the Management Consulting Industry.
If you’d like to find out more about how Create Engage can help you use Digital Marketing to take your business to the next level then drop me an email at Nick@CreateEngage.co.uk or go to our website
www.createengage.co.uk where you can download our free case study that breaks down down the Digital Marketing strategies used by one successful Consulting firm to help them grow over 400% in just 3 years and gives you the secrets they used, so that you can apply them in your own firm.
Latest episodes

May 31, 2024 • 23min
Episode 146: Advice from the Best in the Business - 2024 Edition
This podcast brings together top consulting industry leaders who share their best advice for aspiring consultants. Learn from experts like CEOs and founders on practical strategies for career progression in consulting, from brand building to reaching partner roles. Get insights on navigating different career stages, embracing managerial duties, and ensuring success in professional services business. Valuable tips and recommendations packed into one episode!

May 17, 2024 • 1h 1min
Episode 145: Niching down to succeed: An hourglass approach to consulting growth, with Joe O’Mahoney
Professor Joe O'Mahoney, strategic advisor and Consulting Professor, shares insights on consultancy growth. Topics include crafting a unique value proposition, the power of saying 'no', importance of client connections, and thought leadership. Learn how to stand out in a crowded market and propel your consultancy to new heights.

4 snips
May 3, 2024 • 1h 48min
Episode 144:Avoiding the growth trap: Secrets to sustainable consultancy success, with Sarah Matthew
Join Sarah Matthew, consultancy leader, as she delves into sustainable consultancy success. Learn to avoid growth traps, deliver client nirvana, and craft a winning narrative. Embrace your inner swordfish and take your consultancy to the next level with valuable insights and wisdom

Apr 19, 2024 • 1h 20min
Episode 143: Going global: Negotiating the path to success, with Mark Grice
The global pandemic threw a huge curveball at most businesses.
Face-to-face interactions became a thing of the past, and consultancies offering in-person services found themselves struggling to adapt.
But for Total Negotiation Group (TNG), strong leadership and a willingness to diversify helped turn the global crisis into a huge opportunity.
In the latest episode of Climb In Consulting, Nick caught up with Mark Grice, Co-founder of Total Negotiation Group (TNG), a successful global consultancy that helps its clients to build more sustainable and valuable commercial partnerships.
Nick and Mark explore how a clever pandemic pivot, along with a strong focus on asking the right questions, not only ensured the firm’s survival, but actually fueled phenomenal growth, helping them accelerate from £5m to £10m revenue during that time.
They also dive into a huge number of topics, including:
- The fascinating career journey that’s taken Mark from accounting to negotiating, via global stints at Guinness and Disney.
- Why commercial negotiation has little in common with talking down hostages - despite what the movies would have you believe!
- How TNG knew the time was right for them to expand into Australia – even though they were only in their second year of business.
- Why finding the right business partner offers far more benefits than simply having two heads rather than one.
- Why asking the right questions – and really listening to the answers – is the one crucial skill all business owners need to learn.
…and much more besides!
Mark’s story is fascinating and this episode is jam-packed with practical advice and insights for you to take away.
Reach out to Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgrice1/
Learn more about Total Negotiation Group: https://www.totalnegotiation.com/
Books, magazines, and websites mentioned in the show:
When Cultures Collide: Leading Across Cultures by Richard D. Lewis
Getting to Yes: Negotiating an Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William Ury

6 snips
Apr 5, 2024 • 54min
Episode 143: Maximise your ROI: 4 secrets to drive your marketing success, with Nick Synnott
Marketing expert Nick Synnott shares 4 secrets to boost ROI through content marketing in consultancy. Learn practical steps for successful marketing strategies, leveraging webinars and whitepapers for tangible results.

Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 22min
Episode 142: The Art of the Deal: Unlocking M&A Secrets for Consultancies, with David Bailey
Learn from David Bailey about the art of M&A deals in consultancies, including specialization strategies, navigating acquisitions, and preparing your business for sale. Discover why being a generalist can deter buyers, how to maximize firm value, and the importance of analyzing employee LinkedIn profiles. Explore the journey of a consultancy founder turned M&A advisor and gain insights into post-acquisition success and strategic decision-making in consultancy firms.

Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 28min
Episode 141: Beyond the bandwagon: How to carve a unique path to success, with Graeme Freeman
Learn how a successful consultancy firm, Freeman Clarke, carved a unique path to success by focusing on mid-market clients, forming strong client relationships, and choosing a hands-on approach. Discover the benefits of targeting a niche market, building strong partnerships, and scaling a consulting business in the IT industry. Explore insights on expanding into the US market, impactful career advice, and the challenges of the consulting industry dynamics.

Feb 16, 2024 • 1h 30min
Episode 140: Unlocking Growth: Proven Strategies for Scaling Your Consulting Firm with Marc Jantzen
Discover the unconventional journey of Marc Jantzen from managing fast-food franchises to scaling a consulting firm. Explore the challenges specific to consulting firms and the strategies for growth. Learn about the value of team development, addressing underperformance, value-based pricing, and evolving business propositions. Gain insights on career advice, book recommendations, and engaging with a marketing agency for consultancy success.

19 snips
Feb 2, 2024 • 2h 1min
Episode 139: No Partners, No Promotions: The unorthodox path to consulting success with Simon Dixon
Exploring unique success strategies in consulting with Hatmill, a grade-less consultancy emphasizing work allocation and team support. Delving into workplace culture, optimizing work allocation, feedback importance, transparent salary structures, crisis management, and community building. Special emphasis on genuine feedback, leadership, and book recommendations for consultants.

Jan 19, 2024 • 1h 26min
Episode 138: The Power of Action: The Unconventional Path to Consulting Success with Assad Ahmed
Assad Ahmed shares his unconventional path to consulting success, highlighting the importance of taking action over planning. They discuss overcoming challenges like profitable clients hindering growth and thriving during economic downturns. Assad's embrace of planning with 90-day plans, putting people first, and maintaining culture are key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs.