April, 2024

article thumbnail

Two Proven Investments to Improve Sales of Your Consulting Services

David A Fields

If you want your consulting firm to attract and close more engagements than you’re currently winning, you’ll need to make a change – to invest in growth. But where? The answer will probably surprise you. Below is a broad (and admittedly incomplete) range of people and services you could invest in to accelerate your consulting … Continued The post Two Proven Investments to Improve Sales of Your Consulting Services appeared first on David A.

Sales 396
article thumbnail

Narrow Your Niche to Win More Work as a Solopreneur

Successful Independent Consulting

Many solopreneurs make the mistake of marketing themselves as a jack-of-all-trades. They think that putting themselves out there with a variety of services and expertise means they’ll be hired for more work. The exact opposite is true. I’ve mentored and represented hundreds of independent consultants and repeatedly I see those with a well-defined niche win more work.

Exercises 195
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

The Strategic Advantage Of Solo Consultants & Small Firms With Cathy Gillespie: Podcast #324

Consulting Success

[podcast_headshot url=”/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cathy-gillespie.jpg”] In this episode with Cathy, you’ll learn how to: – Grow your firm while maintaining your small, agile, and resourceful essence. – Utilize mentors to elevate and expand your consulting empire. – Cultivate a thriving referral system from your existing customer base. – Utilize an independent accreditation as your secret weapon for securing.

article thumbnail

The Self-Acceptance Path to Confidence for Consultants & Coaches with Laura Gallaher

Consulting Matters

Learn actionable strategies for boosting your confidence as a consultant and coach with the power of self-acceptance I’ve been there: Big dreams for consulting and then coaching business thwarted by my fear and self-doubt. And I also have been in a space where I’ve felt in the flow, completely confident. What made the difference? That’s what I’m going to share with you in this episode.

article thumbnail

PowerPoint Best Practices for Creating Stellar Presentations

Mastering data visualization in PowerPoint will help accelerate your career because it positions you as someone who can present data that drives business decisions forward. think-cell's PowerPoint Best Practices eBook was created specifically for professionals aiming to master the art and science of data-driven storytelling. What’s inside: Practical Insights: Uncover valuable tips for crafting engaging and persuasive presentations.

article thumbnail

Eclipse Over Cleveland: A Moment of Cosmic Wonder

Chad Barr

The eclipse has come and gone in almost a blink of an eye, but more accurately, in 3 minutes and 13 seconds. And if you know me, you know that I’m usually “all in” on any project and most certainly on one that is a once in a lifetime for me and my Fujifilm XT5 camera. I’ll admit that I was preparing for weeks for the eclipse with special lenses, tripods, and a special solar filter along with my futuristic, cool protective shades suitable for wear on the Jetsons’ spa

Groups 98

More Trending

article thumbnail

3.5 Tips for Webinars and Events that Win Clients for Your Consulting Firm

David A Fields

In all likelihood, your consulting firm is participating in some live, visibility-building activity such as webinars, speeches, and livestreams. Done correctly, this type of marketing is almost guaranteed to bring clients into your firm. Done incorrectly, they’re a waste of time and money. Although the digital version of speaking, such as webinars and livestreams, can … Continued The post 3.5 Tips for Webinars and Events that Win Clients for Your Consulting Firm appeared first on David A.

article thumbnail

6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When

Harvard Business

Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than one? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one.

article thumbnail

The Power Of Radical Honesty In Consulting With Jeremiah Shirk: Podcast #325

Consulting Success

In consulting, there is bound to be times when you’re confronted with the difficult decision between telling the client hard truths or avoiding ruffling feathers. Today’s guest believes that there is power in radical honesty and that it can be the key differentiator that brings success to your consulting business.

article thumbnail

Fun Discussion with Luke Pivac About Agility and Employment

Johanna Rothman

Luke Pivac, a colleague from New Zealand, interviewed me last week. Here's the video: We discussed several topics: My recent Unemployed Agilists posts. (That link just goes to the first post) My most recent book: Project Lifecycles: How to Reduce Risks, Release Successful Products, and Increase Agility. Luke very kindly included (automatically generated) subtitles, which make the video very useful at any speed.

Agile 88
article thumbnail

How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

article thumbnail

Is Stress Killing Productivity? Here's How Leaders Improve Efficiency & Wellbeing

Organizational Talent Consulting

One emotion that often defines work is stress. It can be productive, motivating you to innovate, or draining, leading to burnout. Recent evidence suggests that five in ten employees are experiencing significant negative impacts from long-term workplace stress. Stress is an emotional contagion. Given the significant challenges increased workplace uncertainty poses, from decision-making and strategic planning to employee engagement and personal well-being, leaders need to reduce stress proactively

article thumbnail

5 Strategies for Success in Product Management

Tom Spencer

In the competitive, fast-paced, and ever-evolving landscape of technology and business, the role of a product manager is pivotal. A great product manager is not just a project coordinator, they are visionaries, strategists, and leaders. In this short article, we will delve into five key strategies that can help you become a great product manager. 1.

article thumbnail

Why Losing Projects Isn’t Bad for Your Consulting Firm

David A Fields

When you have high hopes for winning a consulting project, and are excited about the engagement, hearing “No thanks” from your prospect can be discouraging, disheartening, and dis-is-a-good-time-for-chocolate-ing. But should it be? Let’s say you’re waiting for the green light on the proposal you submitted to Turner Dounalot, CEO of Psychout Productions.

article thumbnail

4 Reasons Why Managers Fail

Harvard Business

Gartner research has found that managers today are accountable for 51% more responsibilities than they can effectively manage — and they’re starting to buckle under the pressure: 54% are suffering from work-induced stress and fatigue, and 44% are struggling to provide personalized support to their direct reports. Ultimately, one in five managers said they would prefer not being people managers given a choice.

article thumbnail

Savings Consultants Are Needed in Today's Market More Than Ever

Savings Consultants are needed in today’s market more than ever. With an increase in expenses, businesses are looking for opportunities to save. Often unknown to businesses are savings in expense reduction, specialized tax savings, specialized savings including medical underpayments, health benefits cost reduction, zero cost processing, and more. Blue Coast Savings, with over 20 years in business, assists Savings Consultants in helping these companies move toward more profitable businesses.

article thumbnail

7 Consulting Business Ideas (Based On Real Businesses)

Consulting Success

Thinking about starting a consulting business and looking for viable consulting business ideas? Entrepreneurial consulting is one of the lowest-risk, highest-reward businesses you can start. All you need is subject matter expertise and an internet connection. But in business, ideation is the easy part. Anyone can give you good ideas. In this article, we’ll show.

article thumbnail

Not So Serious Discussion About Project Lifecycles with Agile Uprising Podcast

Johanna Rothman

I was on the Agile Uprising podcast this past Sunday, discussing my most recent book. See (and hear!): Project Lifecycles with Johanna Rothman. I had a great time discussing the issues with Jay and Claudia. Some of what we discussed: That managers want agility but do not care about any agile methods or frameworks. While we might think “agile” is another project organization method—or lifecycle—it's not.

Agile 74
article thumbnail

Don’t Stop Now! Adjust

Leadership Planning with Liz Weber CMC

“We’re thinking we should just postpone this next quarter’s strategic plan update session. Everyone is really busy, and honestly, we’re tired. You know we’ve had these two huge, out-of-nowhere projects come up that have taken over our lives. The team has done great, but we’ve fallen behind on several strategic initiatives. I think it’d help […] The post Don’t Stop Now!

article thumbnail

Music to Stimulate Conversation Among Work Groups

Harmonious Workplaces

Can music help foster communication in your organization? As some may know, I teach marketing management as an adjunct professor at Trinity Christian College. As the final project, the students work in four teams to develop a marketing plan, which they will present to the group. While working in class, I observed very little interaction […] The post Music to Stimulate Conversation Among Work Groups appeared first on Harmonious Workplaces.

Groups 59
article thumbnail

TOOLS and METHODOLOGIES for developing DECISION SUPPORT PACKAGES

This White Paper targets opportunities for Management to develop proficiency in the Decision Framing and Analyses element of input to Decision, & Risk Analyses for Major Project Funding Decisions.

article thumbnail

How Pivoting from Music to Technology Unveiled My True Calling

Chad Barr

While studying music in college, I enrolled in a computer software programming class on a whim. The moment I started writing software, I was hooked. After considerable reflection, I shifted my focus and changed my major to computer science. This pivotal decision dramatically altered my career path and future. I quickly discovered that the joy I derived from playing, writing, and composing music mirrored the satisfaction I found in programming and developing new software solutions and systems.

article thumbnail

5 Well-Intentioned Behaviors That Can Hurt Your Team

Harvard Business

Most people can spot a toxic leader and connect the dots on why and how they are causing damage. But it’s much harder to recognize when well-intentioned leaders are actually hurting their teams because they aren’t aware of their negative impact, and team members aren’t always comfortable pushing back. If you’re a manager with a strong desire to be helpful to your team, be aware of these five common ways you may inadvertently hurt them despite your best intentions.

article thumbnail

How To Give Feedback As A New Manager

Girard Training Solutions

Now that you’re a manager, your job is to get results through your team members and guide them to perform at their best. However, many managers struggle to get their team committed to doing their work to the best of their abilities. Why does this happen? Transitioning into a managerial role requires acquiring a new set of skills. You need to become an expert at delegating, build trust within and among your team, learn how to set SMART goals , become a good coach, and master the art of prov

article thumbnail

Johanna’s 60 Seconds of Writing WIP for April 5, 2024

Johanna Rothman

My 60 seconds of Writing WIP is from the speaking book. Enjoy! The Transcript: I’m Johanna Rothman, and this is 60 Seconds of Johanna’s Writing WIP for April 5, 2024, where I read an excerpt of just a minute of some writing in progress. This excerpt is from the speaking book. After the little giggles or murmurs in response to that story, I ask people to put their hands up if they're supposed to multitask between at least two projects.

Video 69
article thumbnail

Why You Need to Use Case Studies in Sales and Marketing (and How to Start Now)

Case studies are proof of successful client relations and a verifiable product or service. They persuade buyers by highlighting your customers' experiences with your company and its solution. In sales, case studies are crucial pieces of content that can be tailored to prospects' pain points and used throughout the buyer's journey. In marketing, case studies are versatile assets for generating business, providing reusable elements for ad and social media content, website material, and marketing c

article thumbnail

How to improve your meetings

Halo Psych

6-minute read In the past few months, I’ve run several team development days for board-level teams in different sectors. I’m emphasising the different sectors because all too often, I still come across the deep-rooted narrative of “public sector bad, private sector good”. Based on my experience, not just of the past few months, but of many years working across all sectors, leadership teams from different sectors have more in common than not.

Meeting 52
article thumbnail

What is an Executive Assistant?

Office Skills

What is an Executive Assistant? An Executive Assistant is someone who provides high level administrative support to an Executive of a company or division under minimal supervision. Their role has […] The post What is an Executive Assistant? appeared first on Office Skills Training.

article thumbnail

From Expert to Trusted Advisor: The Role of ISO 20700 in Management Consulting

Effective Managers

In the world of management consulting, being an expert isn’t just about having extensive knowledge in your field; it’s about becoming a trusted advisor to your clients. This transformation is pivotal in elevating your consulting practice, and it’s where ISO 20700 plays a crucial role. ISO 20700 isn’t merely a set of guidelines; it’s a catalyst for consultants seeking to enhance their credibility and align with global standards.

article thumbnail

Leading a Company That Can Thrive in a Chaotic World

Harvard Business

Worldwide, the past few years have been marked by multiple, intersecting crises — and things aren’t likely to get less complicated anytime soon. The authors met with a group of CEOs to discuss how they lead amid this ongoing chaos. To thrive in this chaotic new world, organizations need leaders with inner strength, character, and a moral compass. By continually adapting and learning, they’ll enable their organizations to navigate these ever-turbulent waters.

Company 97
article thumbnail

The Art of Remote Collaboration: How to Successfully Whiteboard with Remote Teams

Just because we're working with a distributed team doesn't mean we have to abandon time-tested tools and methods like whiteboarding. Digital look-alikes often cramp creativity and all but eliminate the humanity of shared interactions. Hardware solutions are also limiting and, of course, expensive and immobile. In an increasingly digital and remote-first world, it’s important for us to select tools and processes that allow us to mitigate if not eliminate the above problems.