Professional who provides advice in their specific field of expertise
POPULARITY
Categories
In this episode of Quietly Visible, host Carol Stewart is joined by consultant psychotherapist, writer, and founder of Stilled Therapy & Consultancy, Monique Thomas. Together, they explore what it means to lead with grace and why this is such a powerful approach for introverted women in leadership.Monique shares her personal journey from teaching and performing to psychotherapy, weaving in lessons about authenticity, stillness, and the importance of connection. She unpacks how leaders can move beyond performance and pressure, create psychologically safe environments, and thrive without pretending to be someone they're not.Key takeaways from this conversation:Grace in leadership means moving away from performance-driven cultures and embracing authenticity.Stillness isn't about inactivity—it's about finding safety, acceptance, and deep connection even in motion.Authenticity is powerful—real change begins when we accept ourselves as we are.Connection is essential—introverts need belonging and safe spaces just as much as anyone else.Challenging performance culture can prevent burnout and help leaders lead with compassion and sustainability.This is an inspiring listen for introverted women leaders who want to thrive by leading with authenticity, compassion, and courage—without losing themselves to performance pressures.Connect with Monique:hello@stlldtherapy.comLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-thomas-ma-5541b429/Take Carol's Free Assessment to improve your impact and influencehttps://aboundingsolutions.com/taketheimpactassessment/
Send us a textAnish Patel takes us on a fascinating journey from his beginnings as a "physics geek" to building and selling a successful consultancy in this candid conversation about growth, leadership, and knowing when to exit.With refreshing honesty, Anish reveals how his scientific background created the perfect foundation for consulting work. "The scientific method was something that really I was interested in," he explains, describing how identifying issues, gathering data, developing hypotheses, and convincing others translates perfectly from physics to business consulting.The conversation delves into the struggles of transitioning from a well-known consultancy to founding Patel Miller. Anish shares a powerful realization that many founders experience: "I thought I was one of the best salesmen of consultancy in the retail industry out there... What I realized when I started my own firm was that I was brilliant at converting opportunities, but I wasn't very good at originating them." This distinction between originating and converting work becomes a crucial insight for anyone building a consultancy.Perhaps most valuable is Anish's framework for success - the "three A's" that differentiated his boutique firm from larger competitors: Availability (being responsive when clients need you), Amiability (maintaining genuine relationships beyond projects), and Ability (delivering excellence beyond methodological competence). This approach helped his firm punch well above its weight in a competitive market.The discussion also covers the eventual sale to Metis, with Anish offering candid reflections on the post-acquisition phase. His advice to avoid becoming overly focused on earn-out terms at the expense of activities that actually drive business success provides valuable perspective for consultancy owners considering an exit.Whether you're contemplating starting your own consultancy, struggling with growth challenges, or considering an exit strategy, Anish's journey offers practical insights and honest reflections on what truly matters in building a successful consulting business.Prof. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at www.joeomahoney.com
Send us a textBuilding a consulting firm from scratch requires more than expertise—it demands vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to culture. Edward Beals, founder of Loft9, demonstrates how these principles can transform a startup consultancy into an acquisition target in less than a decade.Starting with just two founders and modest investment, Loft9 achieved remarkable first-year results: 17 employees and $2.2 million in revenue. Beals attributes this success to their cultural foundation, what he calls the "trifecta of awesomeness"—hiring people who are smart, driven, and humble. This cultural emphasis wasn't just internal; it became their market differentiator when competing against established players."Clients are looking for a partner, someone who's going to roll up their sleeves and get in the trenches with them," Beals explains. "Not just someone to come in, tell them what to do, and walk away with a fancy deck left behind." This philosophy, combined with their co-delivery quality assurance model, helped them win business despite never being the lowest-priced option.When SIA Partners acquired Loft9 in 2019, the deal came together with surprising speed—just three months from letter of intent to closing. The acquisition offered strategic advantages for both companies: SIA gained a West Coast presence, while Loft9 accessed complementary capabilities in design thinking and data science without having to build them from scratch.For aspiring consultancy founders, Beals offers practical wisdom: invest in marketing earlier than you think necessary (particularly SEO), surround yourself with critical perspectives that challenge your ideas, and find deep personal motivation—for him, it was providing for his children—that will sustain you through the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship.Want to transform your consultancy's value? Visit equitysherpa.com to discover how we help owners quadruple their equity value over a two to four year period.Prof. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at www.joeomahoney.com
Ronan Berder built Wiredcraft to 140 people, then sold to Publicis for a reported 67 million euros. This Exit Story traces the moment he walked away from Techstars and a product dream to double down on services—and why that decision paid off.
Send us a textRobert Garner's journey from KPMG partner to successful consultancy entrepreneur offers a masterclass in professional services growth and value creation. Drawing on his experience founding Avail Consulting (which he successfully sold) and later serving as Group CEO of Tribal Group, Garner shares the strategic frameworks that transformed his businesses from startups to multimillion-pound enterprises.At the heart of Robert Garner's approach is a disciplined focus on what he calls the "four-by-four matrix" – aligning four specific service offerings with four target markets to create sixteen strategic focal points. This clarity of purpose allowed his team to methodically track progress and avoid the common trap of unfocused expansion. "Too many smaller organisations spend too much time working IN and not enough time working ON," Robert Garner explains, revealing how he and his co-founder limited themselves to 40% utilization to preserve crucial time for business development.For consultancy owners preparing for eventual sale, Robert Garner offers invaluable insights into what buyers truly value. He emphasizes the importance of developing annuity revenue streams where possible, building robust operational systems well before they're critically needed, and cultivating leadership teams that extend beyond the founder. His operational due diligence work with Garwood Solutions has given him unique visibility into the common pitfalls that diminish consultancy valuations.Perhaps most reassuringly, Robert Garner challenges the widespread fear that growth inevitably dilutes company culture. His experience demonstrates that with intentional leadership, strong values can be maintained through significant scaling. The real threat to culture isn't size but rather leadership that fails to create appropriate frameworks – or as Garner puts it, "It's okay to take risks; it's not okay to take uncontrolled risks."Whether you're growing a boutique consultancy or preparing for eventual acquisition, Garner's systematic approach to professional services growth provides a blueprint for building firms that deliver exceptional client value while commanding premium valuations in the market. His insights reveal why some consultancies plateau while others achieve remarkable exits.Prof. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at www.joeomahoney.com
Send us a textWhat makes a consultancy truly valuable to potential buyers? It's far more than just impressive EBIT DA figures and client lists.David Blois, a certified accountant with 25 years of M&A experience in the professional services sector, reveals the three critical boxes every successful acquisition must tick: chemistry between the parties, cultural alignment in working practices, and an outstanding combined business proposition. His insights challenge the conventional wisdom that focuses solely on financials."Buyers are fairly simple creatures," Bloys explains, highlighting their preference for straightforward acquisitions that align with strategic objectives without requiring complex restructuring. This reinforces why niche-focused consultancies typically attract more interest and higher valuations than generalist firms.For consultancy owners planning an exit, timing is everything. Engaging with M&A specialists 2-3 years before your intended sale allows you to systematically address value-limiting factors. Common weaknesses include absence of second-tier management, inadequate margins, poor systems, and over-reliance on referral business. By understanding what creates premium factors versus discount factors in your valuation, you can strategically enhance your firm's worth.Perhaps most valuable is Bloys' practical advice on earnouts - keep them to 2-3 years maximum and ensure targets are realistically achievable. The success of these arrangements hinges on that initial chemistry and cultural fit established at the deal's outset.Whether you're running a £5 million or £50 million consultancy, these principles apply. The gap in valuation multiples between smaller and larger firms isn't as dramatic as many believe, particularly when smaller firms find buyers who recognize strong synergistic benefits.Want to maximize your consultancy's value? Focus on building a distinctive, specialized business with robust fundamentals rather than prematurely orienting your strategy around potential buyers. When sale time arrives, work with specialists who can connect you with multiple potential acquirers - finding not just the highest price, but the right match for long-term success.Prof. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at www.joeomahoney.com
Touch the same piece of information more than twice – fix the workflow. That's the kind of CFO-meets-COO thinking we get into in this episode of The Handbook, where Harv sits down with Lindsey Head to connect the dots between finance, ops, tech, and people – and what really changes when you standardise how the business runs. Lindsey helped scale a PR agency from 5 to 125 people and $750k to $25m in revenue, leading finance, ops, HR, tech, legal and M&A along the way – so she's seen where the cracks form, and how to close them.Here's what we dive into:• The case for “non-billable” hires early – why dedicated new-business and ops roles pay for themselves, and a simple admin-as-%-of-revenue rule of thumb (aim for ~7–8%).• Systems thinking > shiny tools – map the ideal information flow first, then pick tech to automate it. If you're touching the same data repeatedly, the process is broken.• Change management that actually works – phase rollouts, involve users early, test, train, and measure adoption before you “go live.”• Multi-entity without the migraines – standardise what you can across entities, respect local nuance (currency, tax, PTO), and use partners/EORs when expanding fast.• Run the business by the numbers – utilisation, gross margin by client, and labour % tell the truth; AI can accelerate FP&A and reporting, but you still sanity-check the outputs.If you're feeling buried under tools, processes, and hiring questions, Lindsey's final nudge is simple: pause, map “how it's going” vs “how it should go,” and focus this quarter on the single change that unlocks the most leverage.Additional Resources:
unbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketing
We're back - and start our post-summer show with a deep dive into answers to the dreaded question "What should our consultancy post about?" (or some such): Tune in to hear Flo discuss the best philosophy for thought leadership planning and how to derive content from your value proposition. Enjoy! Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota Shownotes Check out the upcoming Deltek Webinar feat. Flo here
Global Ed Leaders | International School Leadership Insights
In this brutally honest conversation, Michael Iannini pulls back the curtain on what it's really like to leave the safety of education employment and strike out as an independent consultant. From worrying about whether you can afford that plane ticket to learning the hard way that repackaging other people's content doesn't work, Michael shares the lessons that most people won't tell you about going independent. We explore the realities of working with schools as clients, why coming in with all the answers is the wrong approach, and how Michael learned to challenge assumptions even when it might cost him the project. He shares his journey from delivering polished but ineffective programmes to finding his authentic voice through writing his book, and explains why advocacy for others became the key to creating real impact.LinksHidden in Plain Sight: Realizing the Full Potential of Middle Leaders - Michael's bookPD Academia - Michael's consulting websitePeerSphere - Peer learning communities for international school educators Episode PartnersTeacher Development TrustInternational Curriculum AssociationJoin Shane's Intensive Leadership Programme at educationleaders.co/intensiveShane Leaning, an organisational coach based in Shanghai, supports school leaders globally. Passionate about empowment, he is the author of the best-selling 'Change Starts Here.' Shane is a leading educational voice in the UK, Asia and around the world.You can find Shane on LinkedIn and Bluesky. or shaneleaning.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Grab your coffee and prepare for some truth bombs! Mills is calling out the coaching pyramid that's keeping brilliant business owners trapped in performance mode instead of building actual sustainable businesses. If you've ever felt that little niggle whispering "surely this isn't it," this episode will validate everything you've been feeling. It's time to stop performing credibility and start building businesses that work beyond your personal brand.Key Topics CoveredIn this no-bullshit episode, Mills explores:The coaching pyramid explained - how coaches teaching coaches who coach coaches creates an endless loop of regurgitationWhy income screenshots aren't strategy - they're performance marketing disguised as credibilityThe difference between survival business vs. sustainable business - and why brilliant women get trapped in the formerEnergy-first business design - building around your actual patterns, not what you think you should doMills' shift to strategic consultancy - working inside the engine, not just offering containersHow to vet mentors and programs - essential questions before your next investmentLet's Connect!If this episode resonated and you're ready to explore consultancy work that focuses on building businesses around your actual energy and strengths, hit up Mills in the DMs @mills_gray. She's looking to work with brilliant women who are done being the bottleneck in their own success.For more resources and full show notes visit https://www.millsgray.com/breaking-free-from-the-coaching-pyramid-why-im-shifting-to-strategic-consultancy/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of the Good Brand Podcast, we sit down with Carolyn Jones (CJ), co-director of Anatomical Concepts, a Glasgow-based company providing rehabilitation technology and personalised services for people following life-changing illness or injury.Five years after working together on a comprehensive rebrand, CJ shares how brand strategy has become the backbone of their business decisions, recruitment process, and daily operations. From using brand values as a strategic filter for new projects to embedding their mission into every client conversation, this conversation reveals how a well-crafted brand can transform not just external perception, but internal culture and business growth.CJ discusses the vulnerability required in the brand process, how they've maintained authenticity while scaling, and why their brand guidelines live on the front page of every official document rather than gathering dust in a drawer. We love this, a case study in how small businesses can leverage brand as a practical tool for sustainable growth and meaningful impact.Want to talk? Have a look at our website, Good Brand Consultants.
Ops Quickies – we're back with another snackable episode.
Becoming an ISO consultant isn't a career path many aspire to, rather it's one often stumbled on after being tasked with either implementing or maintaining a Standard for a business. We're continuing with our latest mini-series where we introduce members of our team, to explore how they fell into the world of ISO and discuss the common challenges they face while helping clients achieve ISO certification. In this episode we introduce Minoo Agarwal, a QHSE Consultant at Blackmores, to learn about her journey of following in her father's footsteps towards ISO Standards Management, and what drives her to help clients on their ISO journey. You'll learn · What is Minoo's role at Blackmores? · What does Minoo enjoy outside of consultancy? · What path did Minoo take to become an ISO Consultant? · What is the biggest challenge she's faced when implementing ISO Standards? · What is Minoo's biggest achievement? Resources · Isologyhub In this episode, we talk about: [02:05] Episode Summary – We introduce Minoo Agarwal, a QHSE Consultant here at Blackmores, to discuss her journey towards becoming an ISO consultant who specialises in ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001. [03:50] What is Minoo's role at Blackmores? Minno's official job title is QHSE Consultant. She is the ISO14001:2015 standard champion and a Mental Health First Aider for Blackmores. Ultimately, Minoo supports clients with embedding Management System into the heart of their companies. Her work with them typically consists of: · Conducting internal audits · Management review · Consultancy days or document review days Essentially doing whatever it takes to getting the management system to be at a suitable level to pass external audits. [05:05] What does Minoo enjoy doing outside of consultancy?: Minoo's free time is mostly taken up by her dear son, Aarav. He's very young at the moment; and so Minoo makes sure that any of her input into his life is to ensure that he is successful in whatever career he chooses. In addition, Aarav has a very busy social life! So, she's makes sure her gets plenty of time to play with his friends. Minoo is also a bit of a foodie, enjoying eating out when possible. She also enjoys reading books by authors such as Jay Shetty and the Sad Guru. [07:10] What was Minoo's path towards becoming an ISO Consultant?: Minoo, like many of our consultants, didn't know that she would become a consultant. The opportunity was presented by Mel Blackmore via LinkedIn in 2019, on April 1st of all dates! Minoo's passion for this field arose from her father, Mr Hardial Agarwal, who is very well known in the industry. He worked as a consultant for Crayola for many years, travelling abroad to meet with various suppliers and international branches of the company. His work always held an air of mystery to Minoo as a child, and she become more curious about his role in later years, even attending CQI meetings with her father to learn more. She started her career in 2006 as a Quality, Environmental, Health & Safety Administrator and since then really never looked back, progressing from role to role from roles like Quality Associate, to a Business Quality Control Officer, to a QESH Auditor, to HSQE Compliance Manager and then as a Head of Quality. Each role gave her a different experience of life. As a result, she has worked in many industries ranging from electronics to logistics to pharma and even automotive and IT. She feels very fortunate to gain experience and knowledge from a range of industries from her previous roles, and now more so from Blackmores where this knowledge develops further. [12:35] What is Minoo's favourite aspect of being a Consultant? – Minoo genuinely loves her role as a consultant at Blackmores, it was hard to narrow down a specific aspect. That being said, Minoo loves to hear when a client of hers has passed their surveillance and re-certification audits, especially if it was with no findings. It's a return on their combined effort as a team to get recognition of that fact from a certification body. She also enjoys the teamwork involved, often being seen as a real member of the client's team. As a consultant, a bid part of your role is building strong working relationships, which makes the whole process run a lot more smoothly. She also takes a bit of joy in being able to be a bit bossy, though all the guidance is with the best intentions. [15:40] What Standards does Minoo specilaise in and why? Starting with: · ISO 9001 Quality Management: A core foundation that many businesses start with when diving into the world of ISO Standards. This is an essential one for any ISO consultant and is often the first Implementation experience for many who go on to become ISO consultants. · ISO 14001 Environmental Management: Minoo is our Standards champion for this Standard. This involves keeping on-top of any changes to the Standard and creating internal training material for the team. · ISO 45001 Health and Safety Management: A few of Minoo's previous roles involved health and safety compliance, so she learned a lot about ISO 45001 and general risk management along the way. · ISO 27001 Information Security Management: This one was a necessity to learn when joining Blackmores. Many of our clients have integrated management systems with multiple ISO certifications, most of which include ISO 27001. Minoo also has some experience with MHRA regulations and TS 16949. [18:20] What is the biggest challenge Minoo had faced during a project and how did she overcome it?: Minoo stresses that it's fundamental to fully understand the requirements of the client from the very onset of the project, if that is understood then there will be no challenges during a project. She provides two incidents in particular that stood out: Scope creep: There was an incident when there was a misunderstanding of the work agreed, and the client had anticipated much more than what was agreed. As a result, Minoo had to complete the work in her own time to meet their expectations. Personal bias: There have been incidents not related to projects but external audits when external assessors start to audit the client by providing what they believe their interpretations is of the standard is the only way that it can be implemented. Forgetting the fact that Standards are built to be flexible in the way they are implemented. They can get very fussy about the exact way documentation should be laid out and worded, which is obviously not a specific stipulation within a Standard. Minoo has overcome this by confronting the assessor at the time and asking them to explain where in the standard it say that – basically keeping them in check. [21:30] What is Minoo's proudest achievement? On the work side, Minoo is always proud to hear when a client has passed their Surveillance and Recertification Audits with no or few findings. On the personal side, it's her son who she lovingly dubs as her masterpiece. She's already instilling the values of health and safety into him, and he's always looking out for others. She couldn't be prouder to watch him grow up into his own person. If you'd like any assistance with implementing ISO standards, get in touch with us, we'd be happy to help! We'd love to hear your views and comments about the ISO Show, here's how: ● Share the ISO Show on Twitter or Linkedin ● Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one. Subscribe to keep up-to-date with our latest episodes: Stitcher | Spotify | YouTube |iTunes | Soundcloud | Mailing List
When businesses talk about “productizing,” they often picture cookie-cutter scopes and rigid templates. But according to Brian Kessman, that's missing the point.Brian is the founder of Lodestar Consulting, and he's spent 25 years helping agencies and consultancies scale without burning out teams or eroding margins. His approach isn't about productizing services – it's about productizing value.In this episode of The Handbook: The Operations Podcast, Brian and Harv dig into what that really means, and how it can transform both your client relationships and your bottom line.Here's what we cover:The difference between productizing services (deliverables) vs. productizing value (outcomes)Why improving operations alone won't fix a business model that's not designed to scaleHow to spot patterns in your expertise and codify them into structured solutionsWhy productization doesn't kill creativity – it actually creates more space for itSmarter ways to think about pricing, from fixed fees to value-based modelsBrian also shares case studies from consultancies and agencies that have reframed their offers around outcomes – unlocking higher margins, more predictable delivery, and stronger authority with clients.If you've ever felt stuck between reinventing the wheel on every project or being forced into commoditized work, this episode is for you.Additional Resources:
In this episode of the Good Brand Podcast, we unpack the findings from our latest B2B brand survey — and they're telling. While most businesses invest in defining their brand, too often the strategy gets shelved after launch. Brand is left to play second fiddle to product marketing, rarely given the space or investment to shape business decisions. We discuss why belief in brand fades so quickly, why true brand campaigns are almost non-existent in B2B, and how better measurement, from quick wins to long-term impact, can help brand earn its place at the top table.Take a look at our article, You Don't Have a Brand Problem. You Have a Brand Belief Problem.Have a look at our results.
This week we're joined by the legendary Tim Campbell from Campbell's Consultancy—a true pioneer in the world of commercial vehicle decarbonisation. Known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of trucks and vans, Tim shares insights from his global journey exploring electrification, including eye-opening experiences from China's commercial vehicle shows. We dive deep into:
In this episode of IBA's Aviation Conversation, Executive Advisor Owen Geach is joined by William McClintock, Manager of IBA's Aircraft Consultancy team, to explore the rising demand for airport slot valuations, particularly at London Heathrow. They break down what slots are, why their value has been climbing, and the factors influencing their pricing, from scarcity and macroeconomic trends to future changes in allocation rules. The discussion also covers the potential impact of a third Heathrow runway, the UK Department for Transport's proposed slot reforms, and IBA's own methodology for valuing these critical, yet intangible, aviation assets.To download a copy of our UK's Department for Transport (DfT) report mentioned, click here: https://www.iba.aero/resources/articles/uk-airport-slot-reform-2023/To download a copy of the National Grid Report mentioned, click here: https://marketing.iba.aero/l/938693/2025-02-18/jkkwbFor more information on IBA's Consultancy, click here: https://www.iba.aero/services/consulting/Sign up for the newsletter - https://www.iba.aero/sign-up/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/iba-aviation-consultancy/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSkPhTf-05htY99V79fklMAWebsite - www.iba.aero
Tamika Heiden is the founder and director of impact consultancy Research Impact Academy. Her company works with researchers around the globe and also runs the Research Impact Summit. Sarah and Tamika talk about How her career and business evolved from research to knowledge translation to impact The language and practice of impact around the world Overcoming the mindset challenges that came with starting her own business How the current funding systems are holding back progress Find out more Read the show notes and transcript on the podcast website Connect with Tamika on LinkedIn Sign up for the Research Impact Summit Find Research Impact Academy on the web, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, BlueSky, YouTube and Instagram About Research Adjacent Fill out the research-adjacent careers quiz Sign up to the Research Adjacent newsletter Follow Research Adjacent on LinkedIn Instagram and BlueSky Email a comment, question or suggestion Leave Sarah a voice message
CEO Podcasts: CEO Chat Podcast + I AM CEO Podcast Powered by Blue 16 Media & CBNation.co
Anush Newman is the CEO and co-founder of JMAN Group, a leading data consultancy that specializes in empowering private equity firms and their portfolio companies with data-driven insights and solutions. Founded in 2010, JMAN Group now serves over 88 private equity funds and 152 portfolio companies across 38 countries, with a team of more than 300 consultants. Anush emphasizes the firm's unique ability to integrate disparate data sources into unified, actionable systems, setting a strong foundation for advanced analytics and AI tools. He shares that success comes not just from strategic decisions but also from being financially aware, clear on what sets your business apart, and emotionally anchored through family and balance. Website: JMAN Group LinkedIn: Anush Newman Check out our CEO Hack Buzz Newsletter–our premium newsletter with hacks and nuggets to level up your organization. Sign up HERE. I AM CEO Handbook Volume 3 is HERE and it's FREE. Get your copy here: http://cbnation.co/iamceo3. Get the 100+ things that you can learn from 1600 business podcasts we recorded. Hear Gresh's story, learn the 16 business pillars from the podcast, find out about CBNation Architects and why you might be one and so much more. Did we mention it was FREE? Download it today!
Hear from Chris Watts, CEO and Co-Founder of The Tonic Consultancy, a firm reshaping expectations of what a consultancy can be. Starting his career in collateral consulting at Deutsche Bank and Rule Financial, Chris went on to launch Margin Tonic in 2018, a business that has since evolved into Tonic, expanding far beyond collateral to cover the full front-to-back trade lifecycle, digital assets, sustainability and more. In this episode, Chris reflects on the evolution of the capital markets space, what it takes to scale in a fast-changing environment, and what it means to be an “anti-consultancy consultancy”.Discussions in the episode:The biggest challenges and phases of growth when scaling Building a culture of reflection while staying future-focusedLessons learned in hiring and building high-performance teamsRedefining consulting excellence in a rapidly evolving tech landscapeWhere AI fits into capital markets consulting, and where the risks lieClick here to reach out to Peter Rabey direct Like this show? Please leave us a review. Every review helps.
Tanya Thorson is a marketing strategist and consultant who has worked with major brands like L.L. Bean and Lands' End. She is the founder of StrategiX Consulting and the co-author her new book, Get Off Your (M)ass!: Introducing B2A Business-to-(A)nyone Marketing, Reimagined, a book she wrote with her husband. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DS1fWR7ODjo Connect with Tanya Thorson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyathorson/ Buy your copy of "Get Off Your (M)ass!: Introducing B2A Business-to-(A)nyone Marketing, Reimagined": https://www.amazon.com/Get-Off-Your-ass-Business/dp/B0FDPXXVWB
Ops Quickies – snackable episodes on tech, tools, and systems.
Are you interested in Real Estate in El Salvador? $ BTC 116,555 Block height 908,003 Today's guests on the show are Chimbera and Lexi, who join me to talk about their Expat Consultancy business in El Salvador. @goodlife_sv @romanmartinezc Why did Lexi and Chimbera decide to start a Real Estate Consultancy business, and what else can people expect from their services? What are the pitfalls that are most common to foreigners when buying land or property? What are the best procedures that they have put in place to make your visit to El Salvador the most memorable and time-efficient? Learn more about their services and property listings below, and follow them here @goodlife_sv https://goodlifeelsalvador.com/ ALL LINKS HERE - FOR DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS - https://vida.page/princey - https://linktr.ee/princey21m Pleb Service Announcements. @orangepillapp That's it, that's the announcement. https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/princey Support the pods via @fountain_app -https://fountain.fm/show/2oJTnUm5VKs3xmSVdf5n The Once Bitten YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Princey21m Shills and Mench's: CONFERENCES 2025; BALTIC HONEY BADGER 9th - 10th AUGUST - RIGA. https://baltichoneybadger.com/ USE CODE BITTEN -10% BTC HELSINKI 15TH - 16TH AUGUST 2025 https://btchel.com/ USE CODE BITTEN - 10% PAY WITH FLASH. Accept Bitcoin on your website or platform with no-code and low-code integrations. https://paywithflash.com/ BUBBL - Curate your Podcast listening. https://bubbl.fm?via=Bitten Never miss another life-changing Bitcoin story! AURA by Bubbl.fm monitors thousands of podcasts 24/7 to find every conversation about Bitcoin adoption, investment strategies, and real-world success stories—delivering only the moments that matter. Set your topics (Bitcoin for families, inflation hedging, self-custody, Lightning Network, regulatory updates) and let AURA surface insights from Bitcoiners and experts you haven't even discovered yet. You'll find shows like Once Bitten, with our branded search portal, full transcripts, with easy to clip and share tools. Transform 10,000 hours of Bitcoin content into 10 minutes of relevant insights. RELAI - STACK SATS - www.relai.me/Bitten Use Code BITTEN BITBOX - SELF CUSTODY YOUR BITCOIN - www.bitbox.swiss/bitten Use Code BITTEN ZAPRITE - https://zaprite.com/bitten - Invoicing and accounting for Bitcoiners - Save $40 SWAN BITCOIN - www.swan.com/bitten KONSENSUS NETWORK - Buy bitcoin books in different languages. Use code BITTEN for 10% discount - https://bitcoinbook.shop?ref=bitten SEEDOR STEEL PLATE BACK-UP - @seedor_io use the code BITTEN for a 5% discount. www.seedor.io/BITTEN SATSBACK - Shop online and earn back sats! https://satsback.com/register/5AxjyPRZV8PNJGlM HEATBIT - Home Bitcoin mining - https://www.heatbit.com/?ref=DANIELPRINCE - Use code BITTEN. CRYPTOTAG STEEL PLATE BACK-UP https://cryptotag.io - USE CODE BITTEN for 10% discount. PLEBEIAN MARKET - BUY AND SELL STUFF FOR SATS; https://plebeian.market/ @PlebeianMarket
For more info on Dr. Irena's "Certificate Program in Applied Neuroscience" starting September 2025, go to:www.NeuroscienceSchool.com/joinMirasee FM Special Free Offer (Revenue Leak Checklist): www.mrse.co/leakExecutive and leadership coach Ju Macedo shares how The Neuroscience School transformed her coaching practice—and her clients' results. Discover the brain-based tools that help her reduce burnout, spark behavior change, and create sustainable performance. Learn how small shifts lead to big results.In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching, host Dr. Irena O'Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices.“This work didn't just improve my coaching—it transformed how I lead, how I step-parent, how I run, and how I show up for myself.”— Juliana MacedoGuest Bio:Juliana Macedo is an ICF-accredited Executive and Leadership Coach and the founder of The Long Game Mindset Coaching & Consultancy.Following a two-decade career as a marketing executive in global companies like Reckitt, Nestlé, Mondelez, Unilever, and PepsiCo, Juliana now helps ambitious leaders achieve sustainable high performance and lead systemic change without burning out.Her approach blends sharp business acumen, the neuroscience of behaviour change, and the mindset of a high-performance athlete.She is ICF-accredited, holds an MBA, a Postgraduate Certificate in Executive Coaching for Behavioural Change from Henley Business School (UK), and multiple certifications in Applied Neuroscience for Coaching, Leadership Development and Agile Change & Psychodrama. Originally from Brazil, she is based in the UK, working globally in English, Portuguese, and Italian.She first discovered applied neuroscience in this very podcast, which inspired her to certify with The Neuroscience School — knowledge she now applies daily with her clients, teams, and even in how she trains and runs marathons.Host Bio:Dr. Irena O'Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience.She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit.Dr. O'Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University.Resources mentioned in this episode:MiraseeDr. Irena O'Brien's website: The Neuroscience SchoolJuliana's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliana-macedo-the-long-game-mindset-coach-acc-34a12625/Episode with guest Lion Goodman (The Predictive Brain):YouTube - Leveraging the Predictive Brain (Lion Goodman) - Neuroscience of Coaching #3Mirasee FM - Episode 3: Leveraging the Predictive Brain (Lion Goodman) Credits:Host: Dr. Irena O'BrienProducer: Andrew ChapmanAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioExecutive Producer: Danny InyMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioMusic credits:Track Title: Sneaker SmeakerArtist: Avocado JunkieWriter: Sander KalmeijerPublisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter: Matthew WigtonPublisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: In This LightArtist: Sounds Like SanderWriter: Sander KalmeijerPublisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.To catch the great episodes coming up on Neuroscience of Coaching, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Episode transcript: From Curiosity to Mastery: A Coach's Journey Through The Neuroscience School (Juliana Macedo) coming soon.
Why do so many professional services firms, full of smart, capable people, sound like they're trying to confuse you?In this episode, the Good team dives into the five hard truths that explain why professional services branding so often misses the mark. From overcomplicated language to legacy baggage, inside-out thinking to same-same design, we unpack the traps firms fall into and why clarity is braver than complexity.Expect straight-talking, zero-fluff takes on:Why “you can't express what you haven't defined”How legacy names can become anchorsWhat the “we-to-you ratio” reveals about customer focusWhy looking professional doesn't mean looking the sameAnd how strategy, not design, sets the foundationWhether you're in B2B tech, law, consultancy, or finance, this one's for anyone tired of jargon, vague mission statements, and forgettable brands.
From the outside, M&A can seem like a clean transaction – a new parent company, a logo change, a cheerful announcement.But inside? The reality is messier. Integration. Culture clashes. Reporting headaches. And a long list of decisions that determine whether the deal actually works.Dom Hawes has lived both sides. After his own agency was acquired (badly), he went on to build Selbey Anderson – a marketing services group backed by private equity, designed from day one to scale through M&A.In just 30 months, he led the acquisition of 11 agencies, growing the group to £22M in revenue. In this episode, he pulls back the curtain on how that actually happens – and what too many people get wrong.Here's what we dive into:Why leadership – not just profit – is the #1 factor Dom looks for in an acquisitionThe red flags that make him walk away (including founders who say “I'm not a numbers person”)What makes integration hard – and how to avoid derailing moraleThe systems decision Dom regrets – and how it made integration and reporting harder later onHow to be “sale-ready” in today's tougher marketWhether you're looking to sell or simply sharpen up your ops, this one's a must-listen.Additional Resources:Follow Dom Hawes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominichawes/ Check out Selby Anderson: https://selbeyanderson.com/ Follow Harv on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harvnagra/ Get the key takeaways from the podcast in your inbox. Subscribe to The Handbook: The Operations Newsletter: https://www.scoro.com/podcast/#handbook This podcast is brought to you by Scoro, where you can manage your projects, resources and finances in a single system.
Meetings Today's Tyler Davidson caught up with Al Hutchinson, former president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, to explore his new venture, AVH Enterprise, and its mission to provide comprehensive leadership development, strategic planning and social impact solutions tailored specifically to DMOs.
Send us a textIn this episode of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, Andy Davis is joined by Jim Hart, CEO of BCS Consultancy.Jim returns to the show to share the latest insights from BCS's 2025 Summer Report a data-rich snapshot of where the data centre industry is heading. Together, they explore the accelerating demand for AI-ready infrastructure, the widening skills gap, and the urgent need for smarter communication across the sector.Key Topics:Why data centre demand continues to outpace supply and what that means for growth.The reality behind AI readiness and repurposing legacy facilities.How the industry can improve external communication and public perception.The skills shortage: why we need to think differently about talent.Where we go next: industry collaboration, nuclear power, and smarter infrastructure.This is a wide-ranging and honest conversation about what's really happening in the data centre sector right now and what needs to happen next.Read the full 2025 Summer Report here: 2025 Summer Report | BCS ConsultancySupport the showThe Inside Data Centre Podcast is recorded in partnership with DataX Connect, a specialist data centre recruitment company based in the UK. They operate on a global scale to place passionate individuals at the heart of leading data centre companies. To learn more about Andy Davis and the rest of the DataX team, click here: DataX Connect
Riada Consultancy, https://riadaconsultancy.com/Gemma Adair, gemma@riadaconsultancy.com..Feel free to contact us with any questionsBill Kenney, bill@meetroi.comMEET, https://meetroi.com/
Do you want to invest In Ghana Real Estate (Africa), the Certified Way? This podcast episode features an interview with two beautiful businesswomen, Louv Ford and Dez Gerald, LHS, ASP, who discuss the inception and mission of ACRELS (African Continent Real Estate Listing Service). >> Unlock your future in real estate—get certified in Ghana today! Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Latest blogs on SEO optimization and Online Marketing>> Book your Complimentary SEO Discovery Call>> Book Paid Marketing Consultation Call>> Subscribe to We Don't PLAY PodcastBrands We Love and SupportLoving Me Beauty | Buy Vegan-based Luxury Products
What if becoming a better leader meant letting go of being the expert? In this Unlearn episode, I'm joined by David Tuck, Chief Executive of Waracle, for a thoughtful and human-centered conversation on the mindset shifts required to lead high-performing teams in complex, fast-changing environments.David's leadership journey spans over 15 years of agile transformation, commercial growth, and organizational design. He's held executive roles at Kin + Carta, The App Business, ThoughtWorks, and Scott Logic, and now leads Waracle, a strategic design and technology consultancy that builds trusted digital products for enterprise clients.Known for his calm conviction and people-first approach, David shares how curiosity, craft, and long-term client intimacy have shaped his leadership philosophy. From stepping back in his career to hone his sales skills, to becoming a CEO who leads experts by asking better questions, David reflects on what it means to grow companies—and yourself—by design. This episode explores how to lead through inquiry, build trust at scale, and why today's leaders must become “Chief Unlearn Officers” to stay relevant in an AI-powered world.Key TakeawaysCraft First, Climb Later: David shares why stepping back from leadership to deepen his sales craft at Waracle gave him the clarity and credibility to lead more effectively.Lead Without Knowing Everything: CEOs don't need all the answers—they need to ask better questions and create space for their teams to excel.AI Starts with Literacy: Leaders must understand AI fundamentals to steer transformation and avoid becoming disconnected from how value is created.From Specialist to Generalist: The CEO role is about orchestration—shifting from doing to enabling across functions and disciplines.Human Connection Still Wins: At Waracle and beyond, trust, empathy, and meaningful relationships still drive long-term business success in an AI-powered world.Additional InsightsRedefine Leadership as Service: A CEO's job is to help others succeed, not to control every decision or be the expert in the room.Ask Better Questions: Using frameworks like the probing pyramid can unlock better thinking and faster alignment across teams.Don't Automate the Human: AI can accelerate delivery, but it can't replace the emotional intelligence and trust that drive real impact.Create Space for Reflection: Strategic pauses and structured dialogue lead to more thoughtful, inclusive decisions—especially in hybrid teams.Unlearn to Move Forward: Leaders need to let go of outdated habits and create the conditions for new thinking to thrive.Useful ResourcesDavid Tuck on LinkedInWaracle on LinkedInWaracle WebsiteDavid Bowie's 1999 interview on the future of the internetWaracle's AI Literacy ProgramFollow the Host:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryoreilly Personal site:
New series alert: Ops Quickies — snackable episodes on tech, tools, and systems.
Picture this: You've got a big job in finance, two tiny humans at home, and a brutal 90-minute commute. Then one day, you trade it all in to start a business with your husband.That's exactly what Liz Fritz did.In this Episode, she joins Stacy Havener to chat about: Taking the leap from corporate to co-founder (with two babies in tow)What it's actually like building a company with your spouse Why staying in your lane is the secret to growing fast without burning outHow story and authenticity help you stand out in the wealth management worldThe future of AI in finance Owning her voice in a male-dominated industry (and the resource that helped her do it)More about Liz:Liz Fritz is the Co-Founder and legacy CMO of F2 Strategy, the largest pure-play wealthtech consultancy in the U.S. With nearly 20 years of experience leading marketing for HNW and UHNW brands like Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and BNP Paribas, Liz knows how to turn strategy into real business growth—especially in the entrepreneurial and M&A space. She's a frequent industry speaker, a fierce advocate for women in wealthtech, and a champion of workplace well-being. Liz lives just outside Chicago with her husband (and F2 co-founder) Doug, their two boys, and one very lovable Labradoodle.Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Hard Thing About Hard Things The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance---What Women Should Know Blue MindWant More Help With Storytelling? + Subscribe to my newsletter to get a weekly email that helps you use your words to power your growth:https://www.stacyhavener.com/subscribe - - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros.Join Havener Capital's exclusive membership - - -Thinking about expanding your investor base beyond the US? Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz to find out if your firm is ready to go global and get all the info at billiondollarbackstory.com/gemcap- - -Make The Boutique Investment Collective part of your Billion Dollar Backstory. Gain access to invaluable resources, expert coaches, and a supportive community of other boutique founders, fund managers, and investment pros. Join Havener Capital's exclusive membership
A trillion-dollar value gap. A C-suite that doesn't get it. And why “brand” still feels like a dirty word in B2B. Stewart, Chris, and guest Teri Nicklin get real about why brand is misunderstood, underfunded, and harder than ever to prove. Expect honest takes, stupid questions worth asking, and a push for braver brand thinking.You can find out more about Teri as well as Teri's LinkedIn post that kicked off this whole chat.Good is a brand consultancy that helps complex organisations solve business problems through brand. We don't do fluff, vanity metrics, or vague strategies. We align brand with business to drive real-world impact, building stronger positioning, clearer messaging, and better commercial outcomes. https://goodbrandconsultants.com
Your ops might be ticking along just fine.But what if your founder got sick tomorrow? What if your top client left? What if you had to make a big decision with zero visibility on the numbers?You might not be planning to sell your agency – but you should run it like you are.Because when you adopt that mindset, you zoom out. You stop firefighting. You start building a business that runs without you.This week on The Handbook, Harv sits down with Sam Wood – fractional COO and founder of consultancy Ottesu – to talk about how agencies and consultancies can apply board-level thinking without needing to set up an actual board.Because a business that's sale-ready is a business that's well run.In this episode, Sam breaks down the five areas every agency should be reviewing regularly – whether you're building to exit or just want better control of the ship.Here's what we get into:Why applying board-level thinking doesn't mean setting up a boardroom – and how to startHow to define and operationalize strategy (it's not just a slide in onboarding)Why culture starts with leadership behavior (not beers and pizza)How to build capability and resilience so your business doesn't depend on heroicsHow to reduce risk and spot gaps in capability before they break youThe one performance metric every service business should be tracking if they want to be profitableWhether you're an ops lead or MD, this one's packed with practical ways to futureproof your agency.Additional Resources:Follow Sam Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-wood-gaicd-9023a54a/ Check out Ottesu's website: https://ottesu.com.au/ Follow Harv on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harvnagra Stay up to date with regular ops insights. Subscribe to The Handbook: The Operations Newsletter.This podcast is brought to you by Scoro, where you can manage your projects, resources and finances in a single system.
"The Good Listening To" Podcast with me Chris Grimes! (aka a "GLT with me CG!")
Send us a textWhat happens when Southern hospitality meets New York Assertiveness? You get Jennifer Logue, the force behind Phenomenal Speaking, who's transforming how Leaders communicate through a powerful blend of Emotional Intelligence and Radical Candor.Jennifer's journey began in the South, where family values and entrepreneurial spirit shaped her foundation. Her grandfather – a trial attorney she affectionately calls "Papa" – showed her what true Leadership looks like by fighting for justice while raising three strong women. "Remember you are loved," his words that catch in her throat when she shares them, became both her personal mantra and professional compass.When Jennifer arrived in New York at 21, the city immediately taught her a crucial lesson: you can't control everything, but you can choose how you respond. Managing Irish pubs and nightclubs became her MBA in human behavior, teaching her to cool down tense situations while maintaining boundaries. This unique combination – creating space for people to be heard while moving them toward action – now defines her Executive Coaching approach.What makes Jennifer's method truly "phenomenal" is how she weaves together seemingly contradictory strengths. Named after Maya Angelou's poem "Phenomenal Woman," her business embodies both fierce advocacy and deep empathy. "People forget what you've said, they'll forget what you've done, but they'll never forget how you made them feel," she quotes Angelou, explaining how this philosophy guides her work with clients.When not Coaching Executives, Jennifer performs with her Theatre Company "Our Bar NYC" and Jug-Band "The Salt Cracker Crazies", channels her inner Gamer with titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, and spoils Hazelnut, her beloved dog. These creative outlets keep her grounded and remind her of the importance of play in professional growth.Want to develop your own communication superpowers? Connect with Jennifer at www.phenomenalspeaking.com and discover how emotional intelligence can transform your leadership presence while staying authentically you.Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website. Show Website: https://www.thegoodlisteningtoshow.com You can email me about the Show: chris@secondcurve.uk Twitter thatchrisgrimes LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-grimes-actor-broadcaster-facilitator-coach/ FaceBook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/842056403204860 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW wherever you get your Podcasts :) Thanks for listening!
Tim Thompson, founder and Chief Revolution Thinker at Rev.Think, shares his extraordinary journey from knocking on Hollywood doors without a resume to becoming the world's leading consultant for creative entrepreneurs. Starting with a bold door-to-door job hunt that landed him roles on the American Music Awards and Oscars, Tim discovered his superpower: shame resilience and the ability to enable others' creative success.After burning out in Hollywood's digital revolution while working on iconic projects like the "Seven" title sequence at Imaginary Forces, Tim made a life-changing decision to attend seminary and rebuild his approach to supporting creative professionals. This spiritual awakening led him to develop his "creative must win" philosophy and the understanding that the creative muse lives in the same brain space as fight-or-flight responses.Tim reveals his framework for creative career longevity through four stages: Artist (talent-based), Auteur (leading others), Curator (promoting others), and Collector (giving it all away for influence). He explains why AI threatens talent-based careers but enhances creativity-driven ones, and how his Rev Community of 700+ business owners represents an industry evolution toward openness, collaboration, and "other-people-ness."Key TakeawaysShame resilience is a creative superpower - The ability to put yourself out there without fear of rejection opens doors that talent alone cannotCreative must win mentality - Support systems should work alongside creatives, not against them, financing their vision while handling logistics and problemsThe muse lives in fight-or-flight mode - Creative entrepreneurs need someone to "guard their back" while they enter the vulnerable state where inspiration strikesFame, fortune, freedom without compromise - These are the three core motivations for entering the creative industry, and careers should be strategically built around oneTechnology follows technique - Understand the creative purpose and method first, then implement technological solutions that support the visionTalent vs. Creativity distinction - Talent can be replaced by AI or younger generations; creativity involves seeing and creating the future, which cannot be automatedOther-people-ness is essential - Long-term success requires generosity, community building, and abundance mentality rather than hoarding opportunitiesPermission granted mindset - Stop asking for permission and start granting it to yourself to take bold creative risks and pursue ambitious visionsIndustry evolution toward openness - The creative industry has matured from secretive competition to collaborative community sharing and mutual supportSpiritual grounding enables longevity - Taking time to reassess values and purpose can prevent burnout and create more sustainable, fulfilling creative careersRevolution requires revelation first - Change happens through curiosity and "aha moments Daring Creativity. Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic Show questions or suggestions to desk@daringcreativity.com Latest books by Radim MalinicMindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business Paperback and Kindle > https://amzn.to/4biTwFcFree audiobook (with Audible trial) > https://geni.us/free-audiobookSigned books https://novemberuniverse.co.ukLux Coffee Co. https://luxcoffee.co.uk/ (Use: PODCAST for 15% off)November Universe https://novemberuniverse.co.uk (Use: PODCAST for 10% off)
In this episode of The UX Consulting Lounge, host Kyle Soucy sits down with longtime friend and industry leader Dan Brown to explore the evolution of his consulting journey—from co-founding the beloved UX agency EightShapes to launching his solo consultancy, Curious Squid.Together, they dive into:The origin story and 18-year legacy of EightShapesWhy Dan and his co-founder Nathan Curtis ultimately decided to close the agencyThe emotional and operational realities of hiring employees as a small consultancyHow Dan approached building Curious Squid, his new independent consultancy The mindset shift from running a team to going soloWriting as a way of thinking (and how Dan keeps up such a prolific publishing pace)Why he launched a new podcast—Unchecked: The Architecture of Disinformation—and how it aligns with his professional missionThe marketing tactics that are actually working for him as an independent consultantDan also shares thoughtful reflections on:The power of staying top-of-mind through relationship-buildingWhat makes a good consultant (spoiler: it starts with listening)Why authenticity is non-negotiable, even when running your own businessHis best advice for those considering growth, hiring, and long-term sustainabilityWhether you're running your own consultancy or thinking about taking the leap, this conversation is packed with relatable stories and hard-earned wisdom.Notable Quotes:“It is terrifying. It's 100% terrifying.” – Dan, on the decision to take on full-time employees at EightShapes“Some of the best design work I did was designing EightShapes itself.” - Dan, on designing company cultureConnect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy | Usable Interface | Linkedin Guest: Dan Brown | Curious Squid | LinkedIn - - - - -Links and Resources Mentioned:Curious Squid's Calendar of Events Dan and Rachel Price's New Podcast, Unchecked: The Architecture of Disinformation Dan's A Lens a Day Podcast Dan's Books: Communicating Design, Designing Together, and Practical Design Discovery Kyle's Talk at UXPA Boston - Using AI to Streamline Persona and Journey Map Creation Submit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can't wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!
Today, we spoke to Mel Barfield and Ben McKinney (Indie Business Club podcast and Copy Or Die copywriting agency) on how to stand out and grow your business as a freelancer or contractor. Whether you're already solo or pondering a career change, this session will be packed with tips and advice. We'll cover:- how to get started and stand out- pitfalls to watch out for!- why more people than ever are going solo- ways to grow when you're doing allllll the things--Take the time to check out our partners, all of whom we work with because we think they're useful companies for lovely marketers.Frontify - All your brand assets in one place: Frontify combines DAM, brand guidelines, and templates into a collaborative source of brand truth.Cambridge Marketing College - The best place to get your marketing qualifications and apprenticeships.Planable - the content collaboration platform that helps marketing teams create, plan, review, and approve all their awesome marketing content.NOAN - your superhuman business partner. Easily build your strategy & control your business knowledge with AI, then use it to manage your tasks, create content & supercharge your marketing.
The Agents Angle - The World's Premier Football (Soccer) Agent Show
⚽ As Season 2 'wraps' for the summer, The Agents Angle season finale signs off with a packed episode that cuts to the core of football's agent regulation crisis.We examine a FIFA suspension that FIFA can't enforce, and how a critical CAS ruling exposes flaws in key parts of the FFAR (FIFA Football Agent Regulations). Are these regulations now 'toothless', and is the FIFA football agent license further devalued?Plus, the CEO and founder of FACTS Consultancy (Timon van Bruggen) joins us to break down what agents still get wrong with data, overlooked markets, 'red flags' for clubs, and the rise of strategic player profiling.From regulatory chaos to smart transfer insights, this finale blends sharp legal analysis with practical tools for agents navigating the summer window.
Is your business growing, but it still feels messy?This solo episode from Harv looks back at one year of The Handbook podcast, and it's a big one. Harv recaps what he's learned from a year of speaking with ops leaders across the agency world. He packages it all into one whirlwind tour of the five core pillars of operational maturity: people, process, tools, data, and growth.If you've missed a few episodes (or want a cheat code to benchmark your agency's ops maturity), this is your starting point. Or your reset.Here's what Harv dives into:Why operational maturity, not creativity or client relationships, is the biggest differentiator for scaleWhat smart people practices actually look like, from efficient and effective hiring to career path frameworksHow to build a sales engine that doesn't rely on panicked effort or founder charismaWhy a tech stack is only as good as the strategy underneath itWhat it really means to be data-driven, beyond just dashboardsAnd what common agency growth mistakes still trip up even the most ambitious teamsPlus, you'll hear key takeaways from guests like Manish Kapur, Karl Sakas, Preston Chandler, Jenny Plant, and many more.Additional Resources:Harv's webinar on documentation & best practice here: https://youtu.be/RroxOVlSwIk Learnings and tools from Freia Muehlenbein's 'how to pitch' episode: https://www.scoro.com/blog/how-to-pitch-a-client/ Follow Harv on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harvnagraStay up to date with regular ops insights. Subscribe to The Handbook: The Operations Newsletter: https://www.scoro.com/podcast/#handbook This podcast is brought to you by Scoro, where you can manage your projects, resources and finances in a single system.
Why you should listenLearn how Kathryn scaled from solo freelancer to a strategic RevOps firm serving VC-backed SaaS companiesDiscover the real impact of AI on RevOps—and why data hygiene is more critical than everHear how Kathryn balances strategy, tech, and team building to retain clients for 18+ monthsSaaS companies grow fast—and Kathryn Castle knows how to keep their revenue operations from falling apart along the way. In this episode, she shares how she went from independent contractor to founder of Candybox, a RevOps and tech strategy firm serving B2B SaaS companies backed by VCs and PE firms.We talk about niching down, what's changed in RevOps over the last six years, and how AI is pushing more strategic conversations about data, integration, and platform selection. Kathryn also opens up about team building, long-term retainers, and the realities of consulting in fast-paced environments.About Kathryn CastleKathryn Castle is the founder of Candybox CRM, a RevOps consultancy that helps B2B tech scale-ups build clean, scalable go-to-market systems around Salesforce and HubSpot. Kathryn works remotely from Mexico, where she spends her free time catering to her five cats' whims and learning to dance salsa.Resources and LinksCandyboxcrm.comKathryn's LinkedIn profilePrevious episode: 615 - How to Use Twitter DMs to Book More B2B Sales Calls with Alex PeñuñuriCheck out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources
The client list of corporations that Steven Gaffney and his colleagues at the Steven Gaffney Company have consulted reads like a Who's Who of America's best corporations, including Allstate, Amazon, American Express, Best Buy, Booz Allen, and BP. And those are just some of the “A”s and “B”s on the roster. Steven's expertise lies in building consistently high-achieving teams and organizations that set goals, overcome obstacles, and achieve their desired results. The founder and CEO of the eponymous consultancy, he asserts that honest communication and the right mindset will overcome most business maladies. His latest book, Unconditional Power: Thriving in Any Situation, No Matter How Frustrating, Complex, or Unpredictable, offers actionable methods to empower executives and entrepreneurs to maintain a resilient state even in the face of adversity. It is achievement, not performance, that counts in the long term, Steven counsels. While performance covers behavior and effort, achievement is about outcomes. There's much to learn in this week's not-to-miss conversation with Steven, including what any business can do over the next 30 days to progress on the path to greater achievement. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Steven Gaffney, Steven Gaffney CompanyPosted: June 16, 2025 Monday Morning Run Time: 41:40 Episode: 14.2 RELATED EPISODES: Setting Business Goals and Scoring Them No Matter the Circumstances, Resilience is a Muscle Anyone Can Develop Take it from a Man Who Rowed Across the Atlantic Ocean, You Can Achieve “Impossible” Goals
In this episode, Raul dives into the journey of Cynthia Abbott Kerr and Richard Kerr, the power couple behind Wellpay AI. Cynthia, a former corporate executive, shares how a trip to Japan and Rich's encouragement led her to start a business focused on helping other companies design and align their pay strategies using AI. The discussion touches on the complexities of building an AI-driven company, especially in a highly regulated industry, and how Wellpay AI addresses these challenges. Richard brings his extensive AI expertise to the table, emphasizing the importance of security and continuous learning in their technology. They also explore the future of work, how AI is transforming traditional roles, and the essential skills needed in this evolving landscape. Tune in to learn about their innovative approach to compensation consulting and the role of AI in making strategic business decisions.00:16 Cynthia's Journey to Founding Wellpay AI01:54 Building an AI Company: Challenges and Strategies03:13 AI in Compensation: Ethics and Compliance03:56 Rich's Expertise in AI Development05:35 Strategic Use of AI in Business10:41 Business Model and Pricing Strategy16:40 Quality Assurance in AI Systems18:08 Communicating Value to Clients18:37 Efficiency and Speed in Consultancy20:38 The Future of Work and Technology23:59 Leadership and AIConnect with Cynthia and Rich: • https://www.wellpay.ai/• https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiawellpay/• https://www.linkedin.com/in/datasciencedoc/ Connect with Raul: • Work with Raul: https://dogoodwork.io• Growth Resources: https://dogoodwork.io/resources• Connect with Raul on LinkedIn (DMs open): https://www.linkedin.com/in/dogoodwork/
Svetlana Tarnagurskaja (CEO of the Dot Collective) joins me to chat about her entrepreneurial journey in the data space, building a boutique data consultancy, competing with Big Consulting, the challenges of building a team, and the importance of creating a human-centric company culture.The Dot Collective: https://www.thedotcollective.co.uk
In this episode of EV Musings, Gary explores the electrification of vehicle fleets, focusing on the challenges and innovations in transitioning from combustion to electric vehicles. The discussion includes insights from Russ Boulton of Ayvens and Roel Visser of Milence, covering both light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Key topics include depot vs. home charging, driver education, reimbursement models, infrastructure limitations, and the future of megawatt charging for trucks. The episode emphasizes the importance of tailored solutions, data-driven decision-making, and the role of government policy in supporting fleet electrification.Guest Details: Russ Boulton - Russ is the architect of our award-winning TCO+ methodology and helps shape the way we deliver insight-led fleet solutions. He works alongside our Consultancy team, with a focus on innovation, data-driven decision-making and helping businesses navigate an evolving fleet landscape.TCO+ Voted WhatVan? Awards 2023 – Best Innovation Award and Eagles Awards Innovation of the Year 2023Roel Vissers : Roel's WebsiteThis season of the podcast is sponsored by Zapmap, the free to download app that helps EV drivers search, plan, and pay for their charging.Links in the show notes:The Electric Trucker on Youtube. - Cool thingEpisode produced by Arran Sheppard at Urban Podcasts: https://www.urbanpodcasts.co.uk(C) 2019-2025 Gary Comerford Support me: Patreon Link: http://www.patreon.com/evmusingsKo-fi Link: http://www.ko-fi.com/evmusings The Books:'So, you've gone electric?' on Amazon : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q5JVF1X'So, you've gone renewable?' on Amazon : https://amzn.to/3LXvIckSocial Media:EVMusings: Twitter https://twitter.com/MusingsEvInstagram: @EVmusingsOctopus Energy referral code (Click this link to get started) https://share.octopus.energy/neat-star-460Upgrade to smarter EV driving with a free week's trial of Zapmap Premium, find out more here https://evmusings.com/zapmap-premiumMentioned in this episode:Zapmap Business NewsletterKeep up to date with the latest news, stats and guides on EV charging from Zapmap and EV industry as a whole. Sign up for the Zapmap business newsletter here: Sign up for the Zapmap business newsletterZapmap Business Newsletter
In this episode of the CPQ Podcast, we sit down with Philip Cunningham—CPQ veteran and co-founder of Shiftlogic—to explore his journey from the early BigMachines days through Oracle, SteelBrick, Salesforce, and now to leading one of Europe's fastest-growing Salesforce Revenue Cloud consultancies. Philip shares how his experiences at global CPQ leaders shaped his vision for Shiftlogic, a bootstrapped firm that reached Summit Partner Status in under three years and is now delivering high-impact Revenue Cloud Advanced solutions across industries like manufacturing, automotive, high tech, and financial services. With a deep focus on Europe—including the UK, DACH, France, and the Nordics—Shiftlogic is thriving without outside investors, and Philip explains why that matters. We discuss: Why demand for Salesforce CPQ and Revenue Cloud Advanced is growing fast in 2025 How Shiftlogic's company culture fuels feedback-driven growth and high performance Their plans to launch proprietary AI agents in response to growing customer demand What it takes to scale a specialized consultancy across diverse industries How Philip balances entrepreneurship with audiobooks and cycling If you're interested in Salesforce Revenue Cloud, CPQ innovation, or building founder-led consultancies in Europe—this episode is for you. Shiftlogic contact information:
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric welcomes Jordan Narducci—former Global DTC lead at Kellogg and VP at fast-growing supplement brand Momentous. Now an independent consultant, Jordan shares tactical insights on how brands can transform their subscription and retention strategies to dramatically increase lifetime value (LTV).Key Topics:Why subscription design matters more than most marketers thinkHow Momentous grew subscription opt-in from 20% to 50%Common mistakes in welcome offers and retention emailsHow to use churn surveys, pause flows, and tiered discounts to prevent cancellationsLoyalty vs. cashback: What actually works in 2025The case for paid memberships as an alternative to subscriptionsToolkits: From Recharge to Loop and AI-powered CXJordan breaks down the analytics, experiments, and frameworks he uses to drive growth in mid-market DTC brands. Whether you're running a supplement brand or looking to scale retention in apparel or beauty, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtcTimestamps00:00 – Why Most Brands Undervalue Subscription Offers02:15 – Lessons from Running DTC at Kellogg04:30 – Subscription Strategy in Premium Food & Beverage08:00 – Tripling Subscription Opt-ins at Momentous11:00 – Retention vs. Acquisition: The Overspend Trap14:00 – When Giving Too Much Increases Churn18:00 – Retention Tactics: Free Gifts, Rituals, and Habit Loops20:45 – How Subscription Reduces Reliance on Email & SMS24:00 – Creating “Black Friday Every Day” Offers28:00 – Churn Prevention via Smart Cancellation Flows31:00 – Paid Membership Models for Apparel & Non-Habitual Brands34:00 – Tool Stack & Platform Recommendations36:00 – The Power of Real-Time LTV Dashboards38:00 – Building a Consultancy & Website with AIHashtags#subscriptionstrategy #dtcpodcast #ecommercetips #retentionmarketing #ltvoptimization #dtcbrands #recurringrevenue #shopifyapps #customerloyalty #ecomgrowth Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
In This Episode, We Cover:✅ Why perfectionism slows founders down (and what to do instead)✅ How to scale a service business without outside capital✅ The hiring trap most entrepreneurs fall into after 20 employees✅ How fractional CFO services are disrupting traditional finance teams✅ The power of reorganization and how internal structure drives external success✅ Why fast, flexible teams win in the new economy Chapters:[00:00] Why Perfectionists Struggle to Scale[00:42] Kevin's Background: From EY to Venture-Focused CFO Work[03:00] How Leadership Roles in College Prepared Kevin for Consulting[04:22] The Power of an Accounting Background in Business[06:00] Lean Into Strengths, Hire for Weaknesses[07:30] Hiring Fast, Firing Fast: The 20-Employee Hump[09:00] Why Operators Make the Best Managers (With Training)[10:30] Managing a People-Heavy Business vs. Automated E-com[12:20] The Rise of Fractional CFOs and Lean Finance Teams[14:00] Scarcity Thinking and Learning to Think Bigger[15:00] The Evolution of Scaling and Speed in Business[16:10] Kevin's Favorite Business Book: Reorg[19:00] Why Org Structure Should Match Business Strategy[20:15] The A-Minus Mindset: Shipping Work That Moves the Business[22:00] Common Pitfalls Smart Operators Still Fall Into
Boutique Consultancy: Balancing High-Touch Service and Growth In this episode, the discussion revolves around the concept of boutique consultancy, highlighting the benefits of providing a personalized, high-touch service over rapid, automated responses. The conversation delves into the comparison between boutique firms and large-scale competitors, focusing on client satisfaction versus cost-saving strategies. Drawing parallels to Apple's business approach, the discussion extends to the evolution of consulting within the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of intelligent strategy over mere ticket resolutions. The conversation wraps up with practical insights into asset management, device lifecycle strategies, and the challenges and experiences of running a consultancy. 00:00 Introduction to Boutique Consultancy 01:31 The Apple Business Model as a Muse 03:14 The Role of Consulting in Managed Services 08:00 Challenges and Strategies in Client Management 09:22 Team Size and Economic Factors 12:03 Contract Structures and Pricing Strategies 21:25 Analytical Skills and Personal Background 25:51 Personal Time and Future Plans 28:36 Balancing Work and Family Life 29:13 Holiday Plans and Skiing Adventures 30:56 Generational Differences in Technology 33:25 Sustainable Business Practices 36:43 Lifecycle Management of Devices 42:01 Challenges and Strategies in Hardware Sales 47:16 The Importance of Client Relationships 49:31 Final Thoughts and Acknowledgements