Consulting Success Podcast

Adam started out as an electrical apprentice while in college pursuing an electrical engineering degree. After 20 years in construction management, he decided to make the leap to consulting, as a way to give back to the construction and contracting community. He attributes his decision to make this transition into consulting, in part, to The Consulting Success System — How to Become a Successful Consultant. Adam has now been growing Ascent Consulting for three years. He calls these years a time of accelerated growth, a greater depth of understanding and a time to hone his skills of understanding as a consultant deliver and sell value and deliver top-quality projects to his clients. On this episode of The Consulting Success Podcast you’ll learn how to effectively grow your business in your area of expertise, how to transition from fee-based to a value-based pricing, and how to recognize when it’s time to start sharing your workload with employees so that you can continue focusing on the work that you do best.  Don’t Know What You’re Doing? Start Here. Successful consultants like Adam Cooper have been able to successfully navigate the path to consulting success by taking advantage of The Consulting Success System — How to Become a Successful Consultant, which you can learn more about here on the Consulting Success website. Adam is one of over 5,000 consultants around the world that have used our products to land more clients, earn a greater income, and streamline their consulting businesses to enjoy more time-off. Adam claims that when he started out, he didn’t know exactly what he was supposed to be doing or how he was going to do it. By taking advantage of our system and coaching program he was able to establish his path, improve his proposals, and get an advantageous head start to his consulting business. You can find the link to The Consulting Success System below, and learn more about how this system can help you take your consulting business to the next level.  Selling Yourself as a Consultant Prior to starting Ascent Consulting, Adam worked as a project manager for several large national construction companies throughout the United States. He was responsible for managing materials, labor, subcontractors, budgets, and more, but after 20 years in the construction business, he decided that it was time to make a change. Two of the greatest challenges that he initially faced as a new consultant were learning how to sell himself to clients, and how to price his work. Pricing is often one of the greatest hurdles that consultants have to overcome. Initially you may find yourself, like Adam, pricing out your time, rather than the value that your work is bringing to your clients. You’ll want to listen to Adam’s story as he explains how he figured out the best way to make the shift from time-based to value-based pricing. One of the first things he did to help overcome this hurdle and correctly price his work was to take advantage of the Accelerator Coaching course that is available here on the Consulting Success website. He also read books including The Consulting Bible, that helped him learn how to sell value instead of time, and how to have sales and value-based conversations with clients upfront. Early on, Adam would have conversations with his clients based on the budget that they had, and then create an appropriately sized project from there. Now he knows that the first conversation he needs to have with his clients is what kind of value they will gain by taking on a project, and then to proceed from there to structure a deal that will deliver the value that they are seeking. Listen to our conversation to hear more about how you can make this approach work for you, too.  Trial and Error will Lead You to Six-Figure Projects When Adam wanted to start the value-based pricing model, he didn’t know exactly how to make it work best for him. He was reading consulting books and taking consulting courses, but he still had a lot to learn. He was getting used to hearing “no,” a lot. Adam realized he had to learn how to price his work in a way that was fair to his clients, and made sense for him as the consultant. It is also essential to develop a working relationship with your clients. Assessment projects and limited-scope projects are a great way to build their trust and confidence in the work that you can do for them. You can start out with assessment projects, which might be worth $4,000 to $6,000. Next you can offer limited-scope projects, which can be worth up to $30,000 or $40,000.  These smaller projects are the ones that build a foundation of trust and greater confidence with your clients. They will see the value that your work is bringing to their company through increased sales opportunities, better employee morale, increased profitability, or well-designed marketing. The value of your contributions to their organization will be apparent in these smaller projects, and those small projects will lead to the bigger six-figure projects.  Don’t Give Up on Value Pricing It can be extremely discouraging for any consultant to hear the word “no,” but getting rejected once, twice, or even a dozen times, is not a valid excuse for giving up. Adam shares how he turns those rejections into learning opportunities, starting with going back to the businesses and asking them what he can do differently next time. An initial rejection from a company does not always mean that they have no interest in doing any business with you ever again. Often it simply means that something needs to be reworked so that things makes better sense for your client. You’ll want to hear how exactly he forms his questions so that he can improve his proposal and approach, to turn a rejection into another successful project. Another essential tip to helping yourself through hearing the ‘nos,’ is to surround yourself with people who want to see you be successful. If you are truly committed to switching over to value-based pricing, you have to take the time to figure out exactly how it will work for you. Adam explains that he wasn’t willing to give up, but that he needed a support system to help him get over this steep learning curve. You’ll probably recognize at least one of the names that he mentions in the network of colleagues and friends that helped him get the success he was looking for.  Expand Your Staff to Maintain Your Free Time As your business grows, you will have to decide how much time you want to commit yourself to getting the work done. Chances are you didn’t leave a 40-hour workload behind to take on a 60-hour workload in your consulting business. As your projects and clients increase, it may be worth it to bring on employees to help lighten your task list, and help your business grow. Just nine months into getting his business up and running, Adam decided to bring additional help on to help him with the ever-increasing work that he was facing. Ascent Consulting is now a business of three, and Adam explains the various ways that his staff help him get his work done and his clients satisfied. He also shares two ways that he knew it was time to bring in help. First, maintain a sense of scale-ability. You have to be realistic about the vision that you have for your consulting business, and your ability to get it there yourself. Adam knew that his company would only be able to grow so big if he kept working at it alone. For him, that was when it was time to bring in additional help. If you want to take on bigger and better projects than you can handle independently, then it will be worth it to increase your staff size so that your business dreams can be realized. Second, Adam refers to an exercise that he and I worked on together, to help him identify the most valuable activities that he could be focusing on. He refers to it as the ‘10s’ activity. If you break down all of the tasks that must be completed in your business into their dollar value, you will see that some tasks are more valuable than others. Tasks that are worth $10 or $100 are the ones that can be delegated to someone else, so that you can focus on the tasks that are worth $1,000, $10,000, or more. By freeing up your schedule to dedicate more time to the most valuable tasks, you are taking a great step toward securing your company’s greatest success. If you are trying to convince yourself that you can do everything in your business by yourself but are constantly drowning in menial tasks, you will want to be sure to listen to Adam as he details how this exercise has worked for him in finding greater success at Ascent Consulting.  Schedule Down Time for Yourself and Your Clients Every consultant wants to get their business to the point that they can enjoy some down time, and on this episode of The Consulting Success Podcast, you’ll hear a variety of ways that Adam has made sure to take care of himself. From running and golfing to updating his website just for fun, Adam seems to have found the way to maximize his work-life balance. But he also shares great tips for turning work into pleasure by incorporating networking and relationship building into fun, starting with a monthly poker night with his clients. If that sounds like the kind of relationships that you are aiming to build with your clients, then you won’t want to miss out on his tips for scheduling time for fun. You’ll hear all about this and more on this episode of The Consulting Success Podcast with Adam Cooper.  Key Takeaways: [:23] An introduction of Adam and how he transitioned from project manager to consulting.[3:45] Adam’s greatest challenge, starting out, began with pricing his work.[6:34] A breakdown of time vs. value pricing structures.[8:02] Before you land a six-figure project, expect to hear a lot of ‘nos.’[12:38] At what point should you bring additional help into your business?[17:14] Betting on a work-life balance.[19:20] How you can learn more about Ascent Consulting.  Mentioned in This Episode: Ascent Consulting The Consulting Success System 2.0 — How to Become a Successful ConsultantAccelerator Coaching The Consulting Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Create and Expand a Seven-Figure Consulting Firm, by Alan WeissHubspot Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the Consulting Success Community today: consultingsuccess.com Mentioned in this episode:AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consultingGet Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Dorie Clark has transformed herself from a grad school reject to an expert in her field. She is a marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review. The New York Times described her as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives.” Dorie is the author of several popular business books — Entrepreneurial You, a guidebook about how you can make money doing what you love, Reinventing You, a book on professional reinvention, and Stand Out, how to become a recognized expert in your field. She is also a part-time professor at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Dorie is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and talented professionals get their true talents noticed, appreciated, and recognized, in today’s noisy marketplace. Dorie currently splits her time between teaching, consulting, and writing. On this episode of Consulting Success Podcast, you’ll learn how that diversification has both preserved and enhanced her career, and ways that you can use her examples to find success as you are growing your consulting business. Diversify Your Career for Greater Success11 years ago, Dorie Clark was focused on one job — helping companies with their marketing strategies and social media presence. Although that was a good job, over time she realized that by not being more diversified with her work, she was exposing herself to a lot of market risk.  Situations may changes, budgets can be cut, and even if, as an entrepreneur, you are doing the same thing for all of your clients, it can become somewhat perilous. Dorie currently has seven different income streams — consulting, executive coaching, teaching, writing, professional speaking, online classes, and affiliate marketing. Having these multiple income streams can both leverage the work that you do, and also de-risk the work that you do. From Theologian to EntrepreneurDorie has never worked in the corporate world, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know her way around some of the country’s top businesses. As a philosophy major in college, she simply learned by doing. After earning a Master’s of Theology, and subsequently getting turned down by all of the doctoral programs she applied to, Dorie had no choice but to reinvented herself. That was when her first book, Reinventing Yourself, was born. Working as a political journalist led to working on political campaigns, which failed when her candidates lost their elections. From there, Dorie worked for a nonprofit in Boston for two years, where she learned how to run a business resourcefully. That opportunity gave her the training on the job that she needed to successfully go out and start her own business, where she is thriving today. As you listen to Dorie’s story, you’ll realize that even if the road to success has several detours along the way, it can still take you right to where you are supposed to be. The Mindset that Overcomes ChallengesFrom getting rejected from graduate school to losing elections, Dorie has encountered plenty of detours on her road toward success. You’ll want to listen as she shares the mindset that helped her overcome these multiple setbacks — starting with her basic need to support herself. One of the critical steps that she took on this path was obtaining freelance journaling work. This work taught her how to quickly hone in on what services and skills create valuable for your customers. Dorie was able to apply this skill to her consulting work — she understands that entrepreneurs are always trying to get inside the head of their customers to figure out what it takes to get them to part with their money in a way that creates value for them. This pitstop on her road to success proved that the skills she was learning in the early years of her career would have a direct impact on her ability to win clients later on. Utilizing this mindset to turn your failures into learning opportunities can have the same impact on your career as it had on hers. Develop Your Marketing Approach as Your Business GrowsAs you are growing your business, the most important thing you have to focus on, is securing clients. At this time, your business may be over weighted with sales activity, but this effort is essential to later success. The early work that you put into sales will buy you more time later to focus on marketing. On the other hand, the time you spend on marketing may not buy you a dividend today, but the dividends will come in the next week, month or year. This is the position you want to put your business in. The more dividends you can obtain, the higher plateau your business can reach. Shifting your ratios toward marketing, and away from sales, will help you achieve a greater long-term benefit. You’ll want to be sure to hear how Dorie spends her time today. She is no longer required to chase after work, but has positioned herself toward marketing, which now brings clients knocking on her door. High-Pressure Sales Never Pays OffEvery consultant and entrepreneur knows that focusing on sales can be somewhat — or very — uncomfortable. You have to get yourself in the right mindset to be successful at sales, but that does not mean defaulting to high-pressure sales tactics. Any business relationship that is founded on high-pressure sales is not going to last very long. Although your clients may submit to these tactics, they are going to resent them and eventually look for a way to escape their commitment to working with you. A greater way that you will find success in your sales approaches is to give your clients several options. When you are asking for business or for referrals, keep your approach low key and give your clients choices. Dorie shares some of the phrases and approaches that she uses to keep her sales tactics low key. Listen to find out how her clients respond, and you’ll be convinced that this approach will work for you too. Launch Your Business with Cash in HandAs someone who has successfully started her own business, Dorie recommends that you start with a minimum six month’s cash reserve. Although she was able to secure her first client after only two months, it can take time to get contracts signed and to get the work going strong. By having up to a year’s cash supply, you can buy yourself some time to get your first clients lined up, and over time you will be able to select the clients that you are willing to do business with. Your Timeline to Success Starts with Your NetworkYour network will always be one of your greatest keys to success, no matter what stage your business is in. People who know you are going to be the ones that are willing to do business with you. Even if they haven’t done a particular kind of work with you before, you will find that those that are willing to take a chance on you are the ones that have a prior connection to you. Your network will always be working for you, so it is essential that you continue to reach out to those in your network. That is always going to be a crucial element to your success. Writing Books will Expand Your ExpertiseBecoming a published author can contribute immensely to your credibility and success. Prior to writing books, Dorie’s speaking arrangements were not a viable source of income. By publishing books, she found greater credibility and proved herself as more of an expert in her field. Although having a reputable publisher did increase the legitimacy of her work, the bulk of the work required to market her books was her responsibility. Publishers will never create the success of a book for you. You have to be willing to get out there and market your book for yourself. To promote her book Reinventing You, in 2015, Dorie gave 160 podcast interviews and traveled around the country to deliver 74 speeches. That kind of dedication to marketing your book is going to guarantee an increase in its success. Taking Care of Yourself while Taking Care of BusinessDon’t compromise on the things that matter most — for Dorie that means never giving up sleep. seven or eight hours a night is essential to writing well, speaking well, and simply being in a good mood. However, there will be times when you have to double down and focus on your work. There will only be a limited amount of time when people want to hear about your newly released book, and you have to capitalize on that window of time. That may mean shifting your priorities temporarily, but when that time comes to a close, you will have to again reexamine your efforts and rededicate yourself to maintaining a healthy personal life. This kind of work-life balance has been a critical component to Dorie’s success, and you will find that implementing her advice in your life will add to your success, too. Staying Focused and ProductiveYou may be feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of simply going out and getting new clients. When comparing yourself to the multi-faceted workload of someone like Dorie, who is teaching, writing, speaking, and more, you may be wondering if there might be more that you can be doing to gain success in your consulting business. Dorie shares several tips on how she stays focused, organized, and committed to her high levels of performance. One of her secrets for success is Paul Graham’s essay entitled “Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule.” You’ll definitely want to read it, as it highlights the differences between a typical day of a manager and a maker. A manager’s main job is simply to check tasks off a to-do list in order to keep work moving forward. A maker, or creator of business, on the other hand is faced with the task of creating and accomplishing bigger, longer term projects. Makers need to utilize the time they spend as managers in order to get into the productive state. Maker tasks require more time and substance, and Dorie shares how dedicating certain days of her calendar to these “deeper dives” has increased her productivity and success. It may seem counterintuitive to take time away from the daily business of work, but you’ll be convinced to commit to these creative days once you hear how well it works for Dorie. Resources from Dorie ClarkOn dorieclark.com you can find a host of resources to help you with growing and developing your businesses. She has made available more than 400 free articles for entrepreneurs and professionals that are looking for ways to stand out and get noticed in this busy business world. There is also a free 42-page ‘Stand Out’ self assessment to help hone in on your breakthrough ideas, and to best spread that idea into a successful one. Be sure to take advantage of these resources on her website to help you find the greatest consulting success. Key Takeaways:[:12] Introduction of Dorie and why she diversifies her work.[3:02] Dorie’s path to entrepreneurship started with rejection.[5:33] How to keep going when you want to give up.[8:30] Why your marketing approach needs to change as your business develops.[11:46] Low pressure sales won’t make you uncomfortable, but they will give you success.[13:59] Dorie’s timeline to success was sped up by tapping into her network.[15:45] The role that authoring books has had in Dorie’s success.[19:10] Work life balance starts with a good night’s sleep.[22:04] Tips for staying focused and productive.[26:42] How you can connect with Dorie Clark. Mentioned in This Episode:Dorie Clark Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future, by Dorie Clark Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It, by Dorie Clark Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive, by Dorie Clark“Manager’s Schedule vs. Maker’s Schedule,” an essay by Paul GrahamSchedule Once Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the Consulting Success Community today: consultingsuccess.com Mentioned in this episode:AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consultingGet Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

JT Badiani is the founder of Focused Improvement Consulting, and his business has been built on the failures that he turned into his success. He started out as a MBA/chemical engineer with years of experience in the design field and great success in operations, but decided that his talents and passions could truly be put to use when he pursued his dream of helping companies achieve success. He has been in the consulting business for over four years, and has learned a few things along the way. You won’t want to miss JT’s take on the power of failure on this episode of the Consulting Success Podcast. The Road to ConsultingJT Badiani works to help companies improve their bottom line through the execution of their strategy, and implementing strategies with the help of Six Sigma. He knows how to critically evaluate a program to make it more efficient and streamlined. Over the years, JT has found ways to bring his clients up to a 15X return on their investment in him as their consultant. But his road to consulting success was not a short one. He experienced tremendous growth in six years working with his sector knowledge in aerospace, engineering, and more, and even worked as the VP of a company in Toronto. He was seeking a senior leadership role with leadership, but things didn’t work out. He spent nearly 12 months looking for a company to buy, but nothing was the right fit. During this time, JT discovered small and medium sized companies that were in need of operational or execution support. Although he’s not a consultant by trade, consulting was starting to feel like the right fit. The decision to transition into consulting is not always an easy one.JT quickly found out that taking the leap from working for an existing company to working for yourself can be a difficult decision to make. This can be a hard decision to make for several reasons. Many consultants come into the workplace and find that, while they’re great on the theoretical side, they lack skills for implementation. JT came into consulting with the mindset of helping companies execute their strategies better, but found that people often want to take away your great ideas and implement them themselves, which means that you never get to see the fruits of your labors. JT decided that he wanted to have a different approach to his consulting business, and now he works to be involved as much as he can from start to finish to help his clients be successful. Overcoming the challenges of starting up a business.Every consultant, and every entrepreneur, knows that starting up a business comes with a host of challenges. A few of these challenges can include learning all about the consulting side of sales, figuring out how to lead a service-based organization, and understanding how to sell to companies by gaining their trust quickly. In my conversation with JT, we discuss two surefire ways that you can begin to overcome the challenges that come with starting up your own consulting business. First, get yourself known.Networking is the key to your consulting success. As JT ventured out with his business, he reached out to his core network. He shares the ways that he was able to break into the industry, including what it takes to get up in front of people, and being willing to take risks as you are establishing yourself as an expert. Second, surround yourself with support.Family support can be a huge factor in the success of your consulting business. JT shared what works for him — family support meant talking through the challenges the business was facing, examining options, then making a decision and going with it. In JT’s case, he and his wife found a rhythm to the regular conversations that was established in the startup phase of his consulting business. His wife came from an entrepreneurial background, he has an MBA, and they brought their skills and knowledge together to create a plan that worked. Surrounding yourself with people that will support your work efforts is an essential piece of the puzzle, and you’ll want to hear some of the tips that JT shares on the types of conversations that he and his wife have to make sure that they are on the same page with the business efforts. Keeping your mindset strong when it gets hard.Business may be good, and you might be growing quickly, but the reality of most growing consulting businesses is that there are hard days, setbacks, and proposals that you want but don’t win. How do you keep your mindset strong so you can keep growing your business? Recognize that it’s tough, but keep looking forward.JT shares a powerful story of four high-value proposals that he lost. Over the course of an especially difficult week, he didn’t win one proposal after another. By the time the fourth proposal came back — which he didn’t really even want — JT was feeling pretty discouraged about what he was doing, and why he was doing it. He and I had a conversation not long afterward, and he followed my advice — it is tough, you are going to have losses, but keep looking forward and reflect back on why you didn’t win your proposals. Connect with clients for feedback.Ask why you didn’t win the proposal, listen to their advice and then apply it. Be insightful, and restructure presentations so people can gain the insights of your value. Leverage your network so that you have the right references, trust is established with potential clients, and they feel more comfortable with what you do and how you do it. Every entrepreneur encounters this kind of failure — today may be a bad day, but there is always a better day to come. “Rather than calling it a failure, just call it a lesson.” You will become stronger as you face these failures and turn them into lessons learned. Successful people keep taking steps forward, and continue reaping rewards from that lesson learned. That is another key to your consulting success. Set realistic goals.You can have success and you can plan to have 100%, but there will be weeks and months that you just won’t get to 100%. If you hit 80%, you’re doing great. If you hit 50%, then it’s time to find a way to get to 80%. Always continue learning.It’s essential that you self-reflect and always look both at what you’re doing right and what you can improve on. JT calls himself a horrible golfer. He decided that he wanted to improve, so he would play a round of golf, then go home and reflect on what went right and wrong. He read up on ways to improve his game, and his scores dropped significantly. Suddenly he was doing really well. JT has taken that mentality into his business and career — if things are getting him down, he has found ways to ground himself. Finding a piece of literature or an online video or ebook that can help remind you of the things that are most important and how you can improve. He shares several books that are listed below, and also references some of the articles from the Consulting Success website that have helped him stay focused, including how to write a proposal, and how to talk to your clients. Success will come as you continue to sharpen the craft. Don’t stay stagnant, and don’t get complacent with your work. Growing Your Business, Even without a NetworkHaving a network in place brings great value to your business, but you can still make connections and land clients even without the help of a network. JT has three solid ideas to help you get started. Understand the value that you have to offer clients.You need to know exactly what it is that you have to offer your clients, and then you have to deliver it. If you don’t deliver, you will not get more business. The client that you’re serving right now is your number one client, so your focus needs to remain on them. If you’re chasing after more business, you are not helping your client be successful. Stay dedicated to each client as you are working with them, and the value of your work, as well as your value to your client, will both increase. Second, you have to get yourself out there.There are multiple ways that you can develop your network while your business is growing. If you are willing to attend conferences, participate in small groups, and deliver good content, you will get leads and and you will be successful. Don’t worry about giving away your content.Many consultants have been advised to develop their content and then keep it secret until a client is paying for it. You should not worry about giving it away. Clients that want to improve their businesses themselves will figure out a way to get it done themselves, and you don’t need to spend anymore time with them. By sharing a good picture of your content, you are building trust with your clients, and this will win you projects. It’s okay to be selective about your work.Don’t rush to accept every project that comes along. Instead, as business opportunities come, ask yourself if each client is the type of company that you want to be working with. Examine their values and see if they lineup with yours — are they trustworthy? Do they provide the opportunity for you to grow? Will they actually listen to what you have to say because they are seeking advice? Are they looking for help? And most importantly, can you deliver value? That is the single most important question you need to ask yourself — can you deliver value to this company by taking on their project? If the answer is no, then you need to ask yourself why you are doing this. Do a litmus test with each opportunity that comes your way — see how your values line up, and then move forward from there. After you’ve had a series of conversations and opportunities to determine if the work is a good fit, you can make your decision and move forward accordingly, and with no regrets about your decision. JT has found that these tips are key to finding satisfaction in seeing companies be successful.  He has helped his clients realize $30 to $40 million savings through projects, coaching, and events. It’s what drives him toward success, and today he’s enjoying the benefits of finding consulting success. Be sure to listen to the many insights that JT shares on how to turn today’s failures into tomorrow’s success on this episode of Consulting Success Podcast. Key Takeaways:[:15] Introduction[4:10] Why the decision to transition into consulting isn’t always an easy one.[5:09] Challenges will come when starting up your consulting business, but here’s why that’s okay.[8:35] How can you keep your success-oriented mindset strong when things get tough.[12:50] Two solid lessons you can learn from failure.[15:30] How you can grow your business, even without a network.[19:30] What drives JT toward success?[22:13] How you can connect with JT Badiani. Mentioned in This Episode:Focused ImprovementConsulting Success Blog The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses, by Eric Ries Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the Consulting Success Community today: consultingsuccess.com Mentioned in this episode:AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consultingGet Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Elliot Begoun is the principal of The Intertwine Group, a consulting group which works to help food and beverage brands grow. Elliot spent over 25 years working in the food industry before his wife challenged him to pursue his dream of becoming a consultant. On this episode of Consulting Success Podcast, Elliot shares how he made the leap from the safety of a big company and experienced the incredible satisfaction that comes with working for yourself. He shares his ideas on retainer fees, how expert writing can keep you in demand, and the number one mistake he made that has taught him the importance of consulting mentors.   Bet on yourself. You may feel a sense of security working for a big company, but working for someone else means you are betting on someone else. Taking the leap to become an independent consultant means betting on yourself. This is a path that Elliot has gone down, and he shares what it means to him to be able to ‘fish for his own food.’ The success he has enjoyed since starting his own consulting business proves that there is something to his theory, so be sure to listen to find out more about the incredible benefits of betting on yourself.   First things first — find clarity. Instant gratification is just not something you can expect to achieve when growing your own business. The amount of work and effort, specialization, and focus that has to go into your business when you start out can absolutely be discouraging at times. According to Elliot, confidence is the number one thing that helped him stay the course when times have gotten especially tough. He shares more insights on what else has worked for him, and you won’t want to miss the tips he shares on how you can find the greatest success as you are growing your consulting business.   Moving away from retainer fees. Retainer fees are often considered the ideal payment structure — they provide consistency and can be a sure-fire way to monetize your efforts with each client. But Elliot shares a strong argument that maintaining these fees will make your consulting work feel just like your regular old job. He has found a better way to capture greater value in his work, and it has produced a higher level of satisfaction both in him and from his clients. It may sound risky, but you’ll definitely want to hear the approach he takes when determining appropriate fees and how happy his clients have been with it.   Make your network work for you. Even if you happen to have a background in marketing, you may find marketing yourself and your business to be a great challenge. Your visions for success in your work is undoubtedly on your mind all the time, and that is why it’s essential to connect with other consultants, masterminds, and mentors. Utilizing this network will help you work through your tunnel vision and maintain a healthy — and slightly removed — perspective of your efforts. Without these proper outlets, you may actually be putting your business at risk. Don’t let this happen to you — listen to and learn from Elliot’s mistakes on this episode of Consulting Success Podcast.   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Elliot’s leap from the food industry to independent consulting was 20 years in the making. [5:06] Growing your own business doesn’t come without challenges. [7:55] Clarity in consulting success comes first from confidence. [10:05] The evolution from retainer fees to something that really works. [15:59] How you can leverage writing to increase your credibility and keep you in demand. [21:02] The single biggest mistake Elliot made in his business was also the most isolating.   Mentioned in This Episode: Elliot Begoun The Intertwine Group Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Join the Consulting Success Community today: Mentioned in this episode:Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consulting

Mitch Russo is a certification business model expert who specializes in working with companies that are looking to quickly grow substantially in size. He understands that making small, calculated shifts in your thinking can change everything for your business and your success. This is a lesson Mitch learned when his career took a sudden turn toward success — even though he was faced with what initially looked like a major setback. He shares the story of his success and the mindset that created it, on this episode of Consulting Success Podcast. You’ll also hear what it takes to identify your greatest strengths, and how you can use them to secure the high value clients that you’ve been seeking.   Setbacks don’t have to set you back. When faced with setbacks, many people get stuck in their problems and waste too much time trying to get over them. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, you need to listen to Mitch’s perfect analogy to understand why it’s not worth spending any more time looking at what has been lost, but instead dedicating your efforts to moving forward with the resources you still have. When Mitch discovered that an IRS ruling rendered his newly developed technology obsolete, he didn’t give up. He shares how he turned this disaster into one of the greatest opportunities of his career, but more importantly, how he was able to do so quickly.   Successful consultants aren’t selling, they’re helping their clients. Many consultants feel like “sales” is a derogatory term. You can listen to Episode 1 of Consulting Success Podcast to learn more about why it absolutely isn’t, but first you need to listen to this episode to hear Mitch’s approach to sales. A successful sales mindset can empower you with the moral obligation to help your clients get the business they need for major success. Approaching your clients with a helpful mindset rather than a selling mindset is going to ensure your success. It also means that you’re going to be offering something of extreme value to your prospective clients. This is one major key to consulting success, and you’ll want to hear this episode to find out more about how it has worked for Mitch.   Your greatest strengths can become your greatest business ideas. It can take time to figure out which of your most powerful skills can be marketed to be useful to other people. Once you land on the idea that will give you the greatest success, the information that you have in your area of expertise will be key to landing new clients. This information is essential, but what clients will be willing to pay for is the implementation of these ideas. Find out how to land clients that need your expertise, and more, on this episode of Consulting Success Podcast.   Key Takeaways: [:26] Mobilize your existing client base with certification — Mitch details how. [5:00] The inspiration for Mitch’s success hit while he was working as a programmer in a basement. [7:45] How can you narrow on your specialization ideas to create a winning business? [10:15] Opportunities can be disguised as problems. [14:10] Why desperation can be the greatest inspiration for success. [16:00] How Mitch grew his business on a shoestring budget. [18:08] Proof that persistence in sales can have major payoffs. [22:26] Embracing this mindset is a major secret to sales success. [26:38] How to land clients without giving away too much value. [29:43] Work life balance means taking care of yourself first.   Mentioned in This Episode: Mitch Russo Ultimate Business Mastery System Mastermind   Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Join the Consulting Success Community today: Mentioned in this episode:Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consulting

My guest on this episode is UK-based consultant Stefan Drew, who is also known as the Marketing Magician. He works mainly in the education sector, but he has a wide breadth of experience — from international environmental organizations and national membership organizations to web design for local companies. He is known for producing great ideas “out of thin air,” and his clients rave about the ROI that they receive after working with him. He has many years of experience and wisdom, and on this episode of Consulting Success you’ll hear several inspiring stories that will ignite your desire to take your business to the next level. If you’re trying to create greater visibility, wondering whether or not you should specialize your business, or hoping to discover the one secret to quick consulting success, you need to listen to this episode of Consulting Success with Stefan Drew. Specialize or offer it all — what do today’s successful consultants do? When first developing your consulting business, you may be wrestling with one major question — do I spread myself among several efforts, or simply focus on one target audience? I always encourage consultants to specialize, but I had to ask Stefan about his experience. His success came from one of these approaches, but his advice leans heavily toward the other. His answer may surprise you, but you won’t want to miss the reasoning behind it. Have a lot of expertise to offer? You should still specialize. Even if you can offer expertise in several areas, maintaining a focus in one specific area will still increase your business. Stefan shares his experience with shifting his focus from environment and education, “and everything else,” to simply the first two. The point of view that comes with your expertise can still be applied to your focus, and that increased specialization will create the greatest value for your clients. You can find out more about the benefits of specialization on this episode. Your email list may not be working as well as you think it is. Email lists are one of the most popular ways that many consultants try to reach a wide audience, but Stefan argues that they are not the most effective. He has an extensive list of ways that you can contact potential clients and generate business. You won’t want to miss the many success stories he shares, that prove that a little work can go a long way in securing the best clients. Building momentum creates the results you are seeking. If you are just starting out at building your consulting business, you may be feeling overwhelmed at all of the steps ahead of you. Some of the steps can seem like a lot of work, but the momentum that comes with each effort will help project you toward the payoff. As a successful marketing consultant who is now in the position to turn clients away, Stefan has plenty to say about how to make your first steps your most effective ones. Be sure to listen to this episode to find out exactly where you should start. Key Takeaways:[:17] I welcome Stefan to the show and he shares the highlights of his career path.[4:30] Do you have what it takes to make it as a consultant? Stefan’s advice can help you decide.[7:10] Generating business means doing as many of these things as possible.[12:00] Why it is so important to have one clear focus.[13:32] Stefan’s number one tip to drive you forward in your career.[18:20] A dry spell in business can be discouraging, but it can also propel you forward to achieve even greater success.[21:58] Discover a variety of ways to position yourself to reach your ideal clients.[27:30] The power that comes with increasing your visibility can start with something as simple as a new nickname.[30:00] Building your business from scratch? Stefan says you should start here.[32:40] The secret strategy to success starts with cultivating relationships.[38:48] Stefan’s delectable source of inspiration. Mentioned in This Episode:Stefan DrewFE News UK Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the Consulting Success Community today: consultingsuccess.com Mentioned in this episode:Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consulting

On this episode of Consulting Success, I’m joined by Jonathan Bernstein of Bernstein Crisis Management. Jonathan is the author of “The Manager’s Guide to Crisis Management,” a great book that provides the basic skills and knowledge to deal with the crises that inevitably occur in any business, no matter the size. At first I wasn’t sure if crisis management really applied to consultants, but Jonathan quickly proved otherwise. He describes crisis management as the “art of avoiding trouble when you can, and reacting appropriately when you can’t.” This wisdom doesn’t only apply to big businesses — crisis mode can hit anyone at anytime. On this episode you’ll learn more about the benefits that come with preparing ahead of time for any crisis that may come — and how to handle it smartly. Consultants can benefit from a crisis management plan. Jonathan works with companies both to preventing crises from happening, and also to maintain business continuity and functionality when a crisis does hit. A single major crisis can knock a small business entirely out of the running, but a creative and effective crisis management plan can help consultants and small businesses minimize damage from a crisis. Jonathan refers to this as the “art of crisis management,” and in this conversation he proves that having a plan in place is essential to every business, regardless of size. Challenge yourself to connect with mentors that can help you achieve your goals. I have always been a major advocate of reaching out to the people that inspire you, and I really identified with the story that Jonathan shares about the bold moves that he made when changing his career path. From his first career in the intelligence department of the Army, he learned how to assess vulnerability. He made the leap from Army to consulting because of one bold move. His example proves that taking the time to study your mentors and increasing the size of your network will always pay off, and you’ll want to be sure to take the time to listen to how important that move was to his incredible success. In crisis mode? Here’s what not to do. Shooting from the hip and burying your head in the sand are two of the things you absolutely do not want to do while in crisis mode. It can be hard to tackle head-on, but taking control can help you turn crisis into triumph for your consulting business. You definitely won’t want to miss his advice for how to handle negative online criticism. Listen for that and more strategic advice, including Jonathan’s five keys to communication when handling a crisis, on this insightful episode of Consulting Success. Key Takeaways: [:40] Consultants and small businesses can benefit from a crisis management plan. [7:24] The art of crisis management requires creativity, intuition and more. [9:15] Jonathan’s decision to leave a lucrative job at a large PR consulting firm to become a crisis management consultant. [12:20] Taking the time to learn about and reach out to your mentors can create major payoffs in your career. [16:21] Jonathan’s decision to leave a major company to start his own business, and the greatest challenges he faced. [20:21] How he lands clients and what has been the most effective in his marketing. [24:12] A challenging year can provide some of the greatest lessons. [29:41] Jonathan’s approach to pricing his services. [31:56] What are the direct impacts to business when writing and sharing books? [33:44] When you encounter a crisis (which you will) here is what NOT to do. [38:53] Jonathan’s five keys to communication when handling crisis. Mentioned in This Episode: Bernstein Crisis Management The Manager’s Guide to Crisis Management, by Jonathan Bernstein Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Join the Consulting Success Community today: Mentioned in this episode:Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consulting

Jacob Morgan is the principal and co-founder of Chess Media Group, a management consulting and strategic advisory firm focusing on the future of work and collaboration. Jacob works with organizations that are looking to understand how changes in technology and behavior are impacting the way we work. From the wide variety of new technologies available to companies, to the the millennials that are entering today’s workforce, the future of business and technology are shifting dramatically. Consultants who are consistent with their work and willing to work harder to gain clients’ trust are the consultants that are going to achieve the greatest success in this constantly changing business environment. On this episode of Consulting Success, Jacob shares the path that took him from Craigslist to clients seeking his expertise. Be sure to listen to this episode as we examine the key strategic moves you will want to make to secure your position as a sought-after and highly successful consultant. Advisory access or consulting projects — what do clients want? One of the biggest challenges many consultants face is the ability to establish retainer fees with clients right from the beginning. As an on-demand consultant, companies will pay monthly retainer fees to have unlimited access to the your expertise, ideas, feedback, and insights. By collecting retainer fees you can provide coaching and advisory to companies in whatever ways they may need it as various situations arise. Compared to one-time consulting projects, which focus on strategy through workshops, training sessions, and presentations, retainer fees can generate more business for you, and establish a long-lasting relationship with clients. However, Jacob agrees that both create great value, and you may be surprised to hear which approach companies tend to commit to first.No experience, no contacts, and no credibility? You can still build your business by doing this. It is essential that you begin building your business before, during, and after you begin working for high-value clients. Until you can find a way to prove yourself, companies are not going to be interested in your work, or be willing to commit to retainer fees. You can overcome this by establishing the value of your knowledge, skill set, and experience. Newsletters, websites, online articles, blog posts, speaking engagements, webinars and best-selling books will all work to build your business and create trust with potential clients. Listen to the work that Jacob has put into building his business that has made him such a highly sought-after consultant. Building your business means being everywhere. Every consultant is aiming for the day when all work comes from inbound requests from clients. Jacob has made this a reality by growing his business in a variety of very effective ways. He shares the importance of following technology trends, meeting with technology leaders, and attending as many events as possible. Every effort you make will help you build your business. Blogging can be one of the most effective ways to reach a wide audience, and sharing your opinion means that everyone is not always going to agree with you. Writing about your true opinion, even if it’s more polarizing, will be more effective than writing to please everyone. That’s one tactic that Jacob uses, and you’ll want to listen to learn more about the other approaches Jacob and I discuss for successfully building your business. There is absolute power in consistency for consultants. Consistency for consultants means choosing your domain, and centering everything that you want to do around that domain. Everything that you do, everything that you write about, and every way that you project yourself needs to focus on your area of expertise. By creating a brand for yourself, people will start to recognize your work and the value of what you have to offer them. Find out more about the many ways that the power of consistency creates success for high-value consultants like Jacob Morgan on this episode of Consulting Success. Key Takeaways:[:35] What does the the future of technology-driven work mean for consultants?[3:07] Compare advisory access with one-time consulting projects.[6:20] How can consultants secure retainer fees from the beginning?[10:05] The road to success will be paved with failures, and that’s okay with Jacob.[13:32] Jacob got his first consulting client from Craigslist, and he hasn’t stopped consulting since.[14:41] Building your business means being everywhere — and it all pays off.[19:08] Following technology and trends is essential in today’s business.[21:20] Sharing your opinion as a writer means you’re not going to please everyone.[22:37] Jacob gives proof of the power of consistency for consulting success.[26:16] What does consistency look like for consultants? Mentioned in This Episode: Chess Media GroupThe Future Organization Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the Consulting Success Community today: consultingsuccess.com Mentioned in this episode:Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consulting

There are few people that can consider themselves as great an expert on white papers as Gordon Graham. Gordon is a white paper writer and consultant who has has worked with Google, Oracle, Intuit, and many other Fortune 500 companies. He’s interviewed over 200 C-level executives and written over 170 white papers. He considers himself a B-to-B copywriter. His career path took him from software company technical writing and journalism to a marketing executive in a software company before becoming an independent copywriter who specializes in white papers and case studies. Gordon has spent the last 20 years dominating his field as the expert of white papers. In this episode, Gordon and I discuss the value of white papers as content-filled marketing tools that you can use to set yourself apart as the expert consultant companies want to hire. How can you make customer success stories work for you? The countless hours of work that you have put into developing your consulting business has undoubtedly come with powerful success stories that you want to share. These stories build confidence with potential clients and provide insight into the work that you do best. There are a variety of ways to share these stories, from blog posts to audio testimonials, articles on your website or presentations at a conference. You’ll be inspired as you hear the list of ways that you can make customer stories work for you. Why do white papers work so well? In today’s industry, up to 96% of customers serve themselves by Googling and then contacting businesses themselves. Customers can make their own decisions about which consultant will work best for them, and white papers can help make their choice an easy one. Gordon recognizes that although you might want to focus your efforts on tweaking your website and all the branding, logos, company name and graphics that go with it, the number one thing that your clients care about is how you can solve their problems. White papers that are filled with marketing content provide clear illustrations of ways that that you can begin to solve your client’s problems. One common misconception is that videos are capable of producing the same kind of results as a well thought out and prepared white paper.  However, videos are incredibly expensive to produce, and they do not have the lasting value or shelf life as white papers. A white paper is a simple product that sums up a your best thinking — it can be your best shot at outshining your competitors. You won’t want to miss the stories Gordon shares that illustrate the power of a well-written white paper. Regardless of your company size, a white paper will work for you. Whether you work independently or are building a power team, you can use white papers as an incredibly effective tool to set yourself apart from other consultants. You’ll be able to gain attention and earn trust of the kinds of clients that you want to work with. White papers can help level the playing field between you and a bigger competitor. Listen for Gordon’s take on the single most important “trust factor,” and how to secure that trust with potential clients. What should you consider when creating a white paper? The first thing you need to do is put yourself in the shoes of your prospective clients. Forget about your company and your problems, and figure out how to help your clients solve their problems. Next, listen to and consider the two dimensions of specialization that have increased Gordon’s business dramatically. Case studies and numbered lists are two of the powerful tools that white papers must contain. You can hear the rest of Gordon’s tips for successfully leveraging this powerful marketing tool on this episode of Consulting Success with Gordon Graham.  Key Takeaways: [1:20] Gordon outlines the career path that led him to the top of his field.[4:30] Customer stories are incredibly powerful — Gordon shares a variety of ways to use them.[6:53] A look inside the $25,000 booklet that led to multimillion dollar sales.[10:38] Why do white papers work so well?[13:30] How can you use social media to increase your business?[14:35] Gordon compares white papers to business videos — and the winner is clear.[18:24] How can a white paper work to create the most value for consultants?[23:20] Sharing useful and relevant information builds trust with potential clients.[26:05] Gordon’s top tip for standing out in your niche.[27:52] Can a clear specialization generate more business for you?[32:52] Horizontal vs. vertical dimensions of specialization.[36:37] Gordon’s top tips for creating a valuable white paper. Mentioned in This Episode:  Gordon Graham White Paper For Dummies, by Gordon Graham Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’s How » Join the Consulting Success Community today: consultingsuccess.com Mentioned in this episode:Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consulting

Steve Shu is a management consultant who has worked and consulted for Vodafone, Allianz, Nortel, Lucent and Wolters Kluwer, as well as taught courses in the business school at Irvine University. He helps incubate technology-oriented startup initiatives within other companies, including new business units, innovative areas, and new product development. In this episode, Steve shares key tactics for securing high-figure consulting projects, the value of workshops and networking, and the benefits of making regular investments of increased knowledge within your area of consulting expertise.   Key Takeaways: [1:15] Steve details the process of a recent start-up project, beginning with the business definition, and leading up to the acquisition of new clients and staffing the organization. [2:30] What does a $100,000 project look like to Steve? Several phases can contribute to the total project, including funding, organization, and prospecting. [4:50] To win a $200,000 project, Steve suggests starting small — a $40,000 workshop can sell the end vision of a high value project. [9:50] Rather than viewing workshops as a one-time engagement, approach them as the first step to a long-term investment with each company. [11:15] The process of setting fees can be made easier by looking at the trajectory of each business, then aiming for value-size projects and retainer fees, rather than hourly rates. [14:20] An appetite for variety within his area of expertise was the driving reason that Steve began focusing on start-ups within larger companies. [17:17] Steve’s background in working with startups as both a consultant and an operating manager has been advantageous in attracting larger companies, while his knowledge of how to get things done appeals to startup companies. [19:10] Networking and creating strategic relationships are a key strategy in finding referrals and new partnerships. [22:00] Independent consulting has allowed Steve to control the companies he works with, as well as the frequency of change in his geographic location. [23:50] Successful consultants need to make knowledge investments; investing in intellectual capital provides market stability. [26:22] Consultants need to make regular investments in their expertise to keep themselves relevant in an ever-changing market. [28:30] Knowlege investments are meant to create a new kind of thinking within the existing  space of each consultant’s expertise.     Mentioned in This Episode: Steve Shu Blue Ocean Strategy Michael Porter Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Join the Consulting Success Community today: Mentioned in this episode:AI is Transforming Consulting. Don't Get Left Behind.Want to reduce your business development time by up to 8 hours a week and learn the strategies that are already helping consultants increase their fees by 30% or more? In the AI Masterclass, Michel Fortin will show you exactly how to use AI to work smarter, not harder, and deliver more value. Unlock these proven strategies. Learn more & register here: https://www.consultingsuccess.com/ai-consultingGet Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow