Consulting Success Podcast

Betsy Jordyn is the founder of Accelera Consulting Group. She is an organizational development and strategy consultant who previously worked with Walt Disney World. Her clients also include JCPenney, United Airlines, Hilton Vacations, and many others. In this discussion, Betsy shares the benefits of identifying and narrowing in on a specialized area of expertise, her advice on how to efficiently take control of client requests in order to deliver a more valuable assessment, and how to determine if organizational development consulting is the right fit for you. Key Takeaways: [1:05] Betsy shares the kinds of challenges that come with increasing leadership and organizational capacities. [2:35] Even Walt Disney World needs consultants to take their concepts for improvement in the future to the next level. [4:45] Betsy’s Masters program gave her the start in OD that eventually led to her starting her own business. [7:20] The transition from consulting within an organization to working on her own was easier for Betsy because of her toolbox and her mentors. [8:35] Consultants need to narrow in on an area of expertise in order to keep their business growing. [11:00] Don’t ever hesitate to turn down work that isn’t the right fit, or to ask for more money for work in your areas of greatest strength. [14:05] Compliments are the key to identifying first tier gifts and strengths. [15:15] Specializing allows clients to easily see how you will fit into their team. [17:10] Betsy’s key tip for extracting more value from their client projects is to NOT say yes to the initial assignment that they ask of you — take control of the conversation so that you can help identify and fill their business performance gaps. [21:35] Consultants need to ensure that their expertise is relevant, timely, and has fit with each particular client system, before determining the best way to move forward. [25:10] You can add more value than 99% of consultants by first helping the client articulate their business performance gaps through your initial assessment. [28:50] Consultants that are interested in organizational development need to make sure that they are wired to think like an OD consultant, and get a mentor who can help with delivering practical techniques to their clients. Mentioned in This Episode: Accelera Consulting Group Betsy Jordyn Marcus Buckingham 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

Anthony Iannarino is an international speaker, author, and sales leader of the top ½% of all businesses in America. Between consulting, writing, sales, and running a staffing firm,  Anthony has proven that he is on a mission to serve and to help people achieve better business results than they could otherwise. He shares transformation that his career took, as he learned to embrace the necessary balance between consulting and sales, which he defines simply as the ability to create opportunity and bring value to other people. This episode is filled with valuable insight for consultants who are trying to leave the stigma of sales behind, why Anthony believes that is a mistake, and how exactly to embrace the value of sales instead.   Key Takeaways: [:40] Is sales a dirty word? Anthony explains the shift of power that has taken the dirt out of previously used sales tactics. [4:50] Anthony is on a mission to serve and help other people achieve the results they’re looking for. [6:54] From rock band to multi-million dollar leader, this “golden boy” details his career path. [10:40] Anthony’s first deal was worth $10 million, but the bullying tactics he used back then are not the same ones that he uses today. [12:26] Books by Neil Rackham became his playbook, and self-discipline, his secret weapon. [15:05] Anthony’s three-faceted approach to solving consultants’ greatest challenges includes examining their mindset, skill set, and tool kit. [17:15] Embracing the mindset that sales will deliver value to companies, will always be part of the work that the most effective consultants do. [19:50] A recipe for success that starts at 5 AM has been the start of Anthony’s day since 2009. [24:00] Anthony shares his approach to writing blog posts. His commitment to daily blog posts has landed him many of the clients that he has today. [24:50] Despite peer criticism, Anthony isn’t afraid to share his intellectual property with anyone. [26:30] What kind of timeline to success can new writers expect to see? [28:40] Frequent, consistent, blog posts filled with good content, are the key to connecting to potential clients. [30:20] Anthony’s typical initial interactions with potential clients last no less than an hour, and start with both qualifiers and disqualifiers to find the perfect fit. [33:00] To become a better writer, continue to read and continue to write. The more you write, the better you will get.   Mentioned in This Episode: Anthony Iannarino Solutions Staffing TheSalesBlog.com Neil Rackham Seth Godin Chris Brogan On Writing, by Stephen King On Writing Well, by William Zinsser 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