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Most leadership breakdowns are not failures of intelligence or strategy. They are emotional failures.In this episode of the Leadership AI Podcast, Maggie Sass, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Product, Research, and Professional Services at TalentSmart EQ, explores how emotional intelligence functions as the operating system beneath strategy, coaching, and decision-making.Together, we unpack what it really means to treat leadership as daily emotional behavior, especially in high-pressure environments like healthcare.In this conversation, we discuss:why leadership is fundamentally emotional, not just technicalhow limbic “hijacks” happen under pressure and how to recoverthe four core EQ skills and how they build on each otherdelivering feedback that creates learning, not defensivenessbuilding habits through tiny experiments and simple cuesscaling EQ through assessments, onboarding, and certificationsnavigating generational differences around emotions at worka simple five-minute morning and evening practice to strengthen EQIf you care about leadership performance that holds under pressure, this episode is for you.Be sure to follow Maggie Sass, Ph.D. on LinkedIn for practical insights on emotional intelligence and organizational performance.
Your numbers might look healthy.Revenue's up. Projects are flowing. The pipeline feels… fine.But underneath? Margins are eroding. Cash is tighter than you'd like. And no one's totally confident in the data they're using to make decisions.In this episode of The Handbook, Harv Nagra sat down with finance and business ops advisor Robert Patin to unpack what's really going on beneath the surface of many professional service businesses right now – and why operational maturity is the difference between surviving and thriving.Here's what we dive into:
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Mexican Peso Risk in Plain Sight: Positioning for USMCA 2026” by Jorge Bauer, CEO, Finanz Butik (AA2401)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Why Your Hiring Process is Delaying Your Market Growth” by Matias Fernandez, Chairman & CEO, Acute Talent (AA2420)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “New Climate Transition Bond Guidelines: Late — and Right on Time” by Arturo Palacios, Deputy Director, Carbon Trust (AA2406)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “The Rise of Armchair Economists: Today, Everyone Is a Market Guru” by Laura Coronado, Profesor and Researcher at the Schoool of Global Studies, Universidad Anahuac (AA2405)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Labor Mobility: How AI Is Transforming Hiring in Latin America” by Alejandra Martínez, Marketing Insights Manager, Pandapé México (AA2403)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Mining: God's Gift or Ecological Sin? Pope Leo Weighs In” by Adrián Juárez, CEO, CTA Consultoría y Tecnología Ambiental (AA1803)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “AI and Incompetence a Dangerous Combination” by Jaime Castro Palma, General Manager, BPF (AA2308)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Nearshoring 2026: Agentic AI and the New Supply Chain Blueprint” by Alejandro Paz, Managing Partner Mexico & Andean, NUMAN (AA2010)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Understanding Mining in a World That Depends on It” by Diego Torroella de Cima, Managing Director, TAKRAF Mexico (AA2005)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Manufacturing: Back to Basics” by Javier Zarazua, VP of LatAm, Tompkins Ventures (AA2001)
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “IP, Ambush Marketing: Considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup” by Eduardo Castañeda, Partner, Basham, Ringe y Correa, S.C.
What does it take to run a successful business? In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons and Melissa Richey unpack one of their most-referenced books: Traction by Gino Wickman.They explore how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) provides a practical framework for clarity, accountability, and growth, specifically for AEC leaders and small to mid-sized firms.In this episode, we dive into the six key components of the system—Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction—alongside essential tools like the VTO, Rocks, the Accountability Chart, and Level 10 Meetings. We also explore the specific marketing impact of this framework, discussing how EOS helps teams shift from reactive task management to proactive, quarterly priorities.Whether you fully adopt the system or just borrow a few tools, this conversation offers tangible ways to align your team and gain real momentum.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 6
Today's podcast is a first for the Voice of Insurance as this is the first time I have had an interview with a sitting Lady Mayor of London. Sue Langley or, the Right Honourable, the Lady Mayor, Dame Susan Langley, DBE, to give her her full and formal title, has worked in the insurance industry for 28 years, with senior roles at Hiscox, within the Corporation of Lloyd's and latterly as Chair of the board of Gallagher UK. I have known her for over 20 of those years and throughout that time she has always been strong, direct, completely straightforward and down to earth. So that's why it was such a pleasure to meet her in her incredibly high-profile, but often misunderstood 800-year-old role. Many of us might go our whole careers working in the City of London but remaining almost wholly ignorant of the workings of some of its most longstanding institutions. So our talk demystifies what the Lord or Lady Mayor position means in 2026 and reveals how Sue discovered the path to becoming its 697th incumbent. Ostensibly an apolitical role, nonetheless the modern Mayoralty has tremendous soft influence in the corridors of power, and as the UK's effective ambassador for Financial and Professional Services, Sue gets to travel the globe representing all of us. In this podcast we will learn what's on top of Sue's agenda for her year in post and I am sure what she says will give all the insurance practitioners listening plenty of good cheer. I am also pleased to report that holding this great office hasn't changed Sue in the slightest, in fact it is Sue who is doing a lot to make the role more relatable and relevant to our times. Sue is also a physical representation of how the past decade has witnessed the Insurance sector stand up and be counted and start to take its rightful place in the Civic affairs of the City and country in which it trades. Sue certainly won't be the last Lord or Lady Mayor to be sourced from within the Insurance community and we should take a lot of encouragement from this. So listen on to what is a really informal, enjoyable and enlightening discussion. NOTES & LINKS: More information on Sterling 20 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/britains-biggest-pension-funds-back-regional-growth-drive And you can get involved in the Lord Mayor's Appeal here: https://www.thelordmayorsappeal.org/ We thank our naming sponsor AdvantageGo: https://www.advantagego.com
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “How Businesses Can Navigate Mexico's Evolving Legal Landscape” by Blanca del Carmen Martinez Mendoza, Partner, Mendoza Vera Abogados.
In this delightfully chaotic, laugh-filled bonus episode of The Short(er) List, we dive deeper into a hot topic in proposal document creation: InDesign Books. Designers Becky Ellison and Lauren Jane Peterson unpack when and why to use them, share tips to keep you sane, confess the joys and terrors of page numbering, and honor the sacred role of the all‑powerful ‘Keeper of the Book'. They also share real‑world war stories from huge AEC proposals, swap workflow hacks, and do their best to make sense of managing multiple people editing multiple files.And because this is The Short(er) List, expect tangents including reading recommendations, animals, Lauren Jane's incredible hair, and whether InDesign files have souls. (JK… kind of). It's nerdy, it's fun, and there's something for everyone, whether you're trying to stay up on InDesign best practices or just have a laugh with MO6's graphic designers. And it makes a great companion to Episode 76: InDesign Rumble (Part 2)!
PJ Veldhuizen from Gillan and Veldhuizen Inc explains how small and medium enterprises can thrive through strategic partnerships.
Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, The RETHINK Retail Podcast features Fritz Finlay, Head of Production at RETHINK Retail, in conversation with Will Burghes, Head of Professional Services at Rockerbox & DoubleVerify. The discussion focuses on how retail media measurement is evolving as brands and retailers move beyond impressions and clicks toward outcome-based metrics that matter to the business. Key insights from the episode include: - Why impressions and clicks are no longer enough for measuring retail media success - How retailers and brands are shifting toward revenue, incrementality, and ROAS - The role of verification, fraud prevention, and brand suitability as table stakes - How retail media networks, CTV, and walled gardens should be measured - Where AI fits into the future of advertising measurement, and where human judgment still matters With retail media networks growing rapidly, this episode breaks down what “good measurement” actually looks like in 2026 and how retailers can prioritize smarter budget decisions without waiting for perfect data.
Sign up for Practi, a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:1. The Transformation Economy is the Future of Professional Services. Professional services are evolving beyond commodities → goods → services → experiences to transformations. Clients will pay for meaningful life/business changes (opening a business, planning legacy, scaling to $1M) rather than just deliverables. Transformations subsume all previous economic levels and are best monetized through subscriptions.2. Subscription vs. Recurring Revenue: A Critical Distinction. There's a fundamental difference between recurring (predictable repeat billing) and reoccurring (periodic invoicing). True subscription models create 5-10x higher business valuations and require upfront payment, automation, and a membership mindset—not just monthly invoicing for the same service.3. Nature of Work Trumps Scope of Work. Instead of selling defined scopes (hours, tasks, deliverables), professionals should sell nature of work (bookkeeper vs. controller vs. CFO; pair of hands vs. expert vs. collaborator). This shifts focus from transactional outputs to strategic relationships and enables premium subscription pricing.4. The Billable Hour Persists Due to Inertia, Profitability, and Technology Gaps. Despite decades of criticism, hourly billing survives because: (1) it's still profitable enough, (2) switching requires overcoming massive inertia, and (3) existing legal/accounting tech is built to optimize billable hours rather than enable alternative models. Bottom-up transformation (solo practitioners first) is more feasible than top-down.5. AI Won't Replace Human Expertise—It Will Enhance It. While AI can handle execution (like robotic surgery or document drafting), clients will still want human subject matter experts for consultation, strategy, and decision-making. The key is “prescription before diagnosis”—professionals must diagnose before prescribing solutions, and AI should augment rather than replace that consultative relationship.__________________________Want your question to be answered on a future show? Fill out this short survey.Check out Threshold.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis' law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. Get full access to Law Subscribed at www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “How, When and Why You Should Implement a CRM” by Víctor Tello, Project Operations Manager, ABB.
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Beyond Tech: How Innovation Methodology Transforms Business, Life” by Sebastian Romo, Co-Founder, Tand, Dental Wellness.
Are you ready to celebrate? A well-executed anniversary campaign isn't just about looking back, it's about celebrating your success and reinforcing your relevance in the present. In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons, Lauren Jane Peterson, and Grace Takehara dive into how AEC firms can leverage anniversary campaigns with intention and foresight.This episode explores the strategic value of commemorating firm milestones—whether it's 5 or 50 years—and transforming celebrations into high-visibility marketing engines. The MO6 team breaks down the entire process, from early-stage strategy and messaging to best practices for asset creation and thoughtful execution.Whether you're planning the announcement of exciting new leadership or kicking off a centennial celebration, this episode will inspire fresh ways to make your firm's story resonate. Listen in and turn your next milestone into a marketing advantage.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5
The following article of the Professional Services industry is: “Mexico's Unique IP Protection For Fictional Characters” by Santiago Zubikarai, Partner, Basham, Ringe & Correa, S.C.
AI is moving fast in professional services firms. And while most conversations focus on efficiency gains and new tools, the harder questions are around risk – ownership, liability, and what happens when AI use goes wrong.In this episode of The Handbook, Harv Nagra is joined by Sharon Toerek, a leading expert on IP and legal risk in the creative and consulting space, to unpack what AI really changes for operations leaders – and what needs to be in place to protect your businessHere's what they dive into:
In this episode of the Thread Podcast, host Justin Vandehey sits down with Neal McCoy, VP of Customer Success and Professional Services at BigCommerce, to unpack where customer value most often breaks down after a deal is closed — and how companies can fix it.Neal shares insights from nearly a decade building CS and PS at BigCommerce, explaining why customers don't buy software to “solve problems,” but to make or save money. The conversation explores how unclear value realization creates friction during onboarding, why sales-to-CS handoffs fail, and how AI is reshaping customer success through better context, automation, and voice-of-the-customer insights at scale. Key Takeaways & HighlightsCustomers buy software to make money, save money, or both — not just to solve surface-level problemsMisalignment on value realization is the #1 reason onboarding and CS struggle post-saleSales teams often assume customers understand value — they usually don'tThe earlier value is quantified and documented in the sales cycle, the stronger the post-sale executionAI can eliminate manual handoff friction by summarizing calls, emails, and deal context automaticallyTraditional CS metrics like surveys and NPS are statistically weak; voice of the customer at scale is the futureCustomer success leaders must act as the primary conduit for customer insight back into product and GTMPersonalization at scale requires cohort-based learning, not one-size-fits-all onboardingFewer deals with clearer value often outperform higher-volume pipelines long termThe best salespeople optimize for customer outcomes, not just closed deals Chapters & Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Introduction Justin introduces Neal McCoy and his background across military, fintech, digital engagement, and ecommerce.02:00 – Neal's Career Path & BigCommerce Journey How Neal helped build CS and professional services as BigCommerce moved upmarket.04:30 – Where Customer Value Breaks Down Post-Sale Why customers trade one set of problems for another when value isn't clearly defined.06:45 – What CS Wishes Sales Would Hand Off (But Rarely Does) The missing context that makes or breaks onboarding and adoption.09:15 – AI's Role in Fixing the Sales-to-CS Handoff How AI can summarize deal context and remove the burden from sellers.11:45 – Voice of the Customer vs. Traditional CS Metrics Why surveys fail and how AI unlocks insight from unstructured customer data.14:30 – Personalization at Scale in Ecommerce Onboarding Using cohort-based success models across industries, regions, and merchant types.17:15 – The Biggest Misconception Sales Leaders Have About Post-Sale Why focusing on value may reduce conversions but increase long-term growth.20:00 – The Future of CS, PS, and AI at BigCommerce How AI is changing delivery models, expertise, and customer expectations.22:30 – Closing Thoughts & What's Next Neal's outlook on AI, value delivery, and helping merchants succeed long-term.
Welcome to the very first minisode of The Short(er) List, our new spinoff series where Shortlist favorite Becky Ellison takes all the too‑silly, too‑real, too-extra conversations that don't fit in the regular Shortlist episodes, and serves them up in bite-sized podcast treats. In this introductory minisode, Becky chats with Wendy Simmons, Middle of Six founder and host of The Shortlist (plus our modest but heroic producer Kyle Davis) about everything from TV confessions, to podcast addictions and soothing end of day affirmations. We also manage to reflect on creativity, leadership, trust, and what it means to work with a team full of “weird little pirates” sailing a surprisingly successful ship. If you want to laugh, feel seen, or just hang out with your favorite Middle of Sixers for a few minutes, tune in – you'll feel like you're sitting at the lunch table with the chillest and funnest AEC marketers in the game.
In this episode of our Future of the Firm podcast, Fiona Czerniawska, Source CEO, sits down with Head of Content, Emma Carroll, to tackle one of the most pressing issues on firm agendas today: the impact of AI on the pricing of professional services. We consider the following questions and more: What's worrying firms about the use of AI in their operating models and the impact on pricing in particular? Will the efficiency gains of AI shrink the market and result in a catastrophe for firms? How does Source's new AI impact model work, what does it deliver for firms, and why is this insight needed now? What does our data tell us about how the size of the tax market (for example) could change? Is focusing solely on efficiency the biggest mistake a firm can make in the age of AI? If you are a consulting leader thinking about how to price your AI-enabled services and how to model future market sizes then this conversation provides the insight you need to plan effectively. If you'd like to discover more about how AI could reshape your own firm, contact us. We'd be happy to share our research into the impact AI might have on the tax market. Or we could explore a custom study to understand how other capabilities and lines of business may be set to change along with the implications for your firm.
This is one of my favorite conversations that I wanted to replay this week. If you are in any post sales Customer Success, or Account Management world, you have most likely heard of this week's guest. This week's guest started his journey studying Information Systems and Software Engineering before making the shift into Professional Services, Support, and Customer Success. At the time of recording, he was an Executive VP of Corporate Market and Chief Customer Officer at Higher Logic. Now, he is the CEO of Balboa Solutions, where they help their clients maximize the value of the Pendo platform to power adoption, enablement, and user analytics.This week's guest is the heart of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Mr. Jay Nathan. In this week's episode, we discussed:Customer Centric MindsetNatural Curiosity For CustomersLessons From Duke Energy (Large Enterprises and Heavy Process)The Start of The Largest CS CommunityUsing Your Own ProductMuch More! Please enjoy this week's episode with Jay Nathan.____________________________________________________________________________I am now in the early stages of writing my first book! In this book, I will be telling my story of getting into sales and the lessons I have learned so far, and intertwine stories, tips, and advice from the Top Sales Professionals In The World! As a first time author, I want to share these interviews with you all, and take you on this book writing journey with me! Like the show? Subscribe to the email: https://mailchi.mp/a71e58dacffb/welcome-to-the-20-podcast-communityI want your feedback!Reach out to 20percentpodcastquestions@gmail.com, or find me on LinkedIn
The UK's financial and related professional services industry is at a critical juncture. With global competition intensifying and technology reshaping markets, standing still is no longer an option. In this episode, host Tessa Norman is joined by Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive of TheCityUK, and Darren Ketteringham, PwC UK's Financial Services Leader, to discuss insights from a new PwC and TheCityUK report on the future of the industry. The conversation explores why bolder ambition, faster delivery and more decisive reform are essential to secure the UK's leadership as a global financial centre for the next decade. Our guests unpack the report's five imperatives for action – from leading at the frontier of financial technology, to building a nation of investors. We also discuss the scale of the opportunity, with PwC modelling showing that acting decisively could unlock over £50bn in additional annual economic output by 2035. Explore the full report here: https://www.pwc.co.uk/industries/financial-services/vision.html?WT.mc_id=CT2-PL200-DM3-TR3-LS4-ND30-TTA9-CN_visionInternal
Seven clear-eyed predictions on how AI is reshaping professional services—and what firm leaders need to do now to protect relevance, reputation, and growth. The post Seven Strategic Shifts Professional Services Leaders Can't Ignore in the AI Era appeared first on Rattle and Pedal.
Season 5 of The Shortlist kicks off with a fan-favorite: InDesign Rumble (Part 2). Wendy Simmons, Becky Ellison, and Lauren Jane Peterson continue their spirited conversation on how AEC marketers actually use Adobe InDesign, workarounds and all.This episode explores how even seasoned designers evolve their skills in a tool most learned on the fly. The MO6 team dives into efficiency-boosters like automation, AI features, data merge, CC Libraries, and paragraph styles. They also call out "common pitfalls" found in inherited files, from hand-built tables to overbuilt parent pages, and discuss when a quick workaround becomes a project liability.The takeaway? There's rarely one "right" way to work. Whether you're an InDesign expert or a self-proclaimed "level 6," this episode will spark new ideas to streamline your next pursuit. Listen in to unlock major gains in efficiency and clarity.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4
The Twenty Minute VC: Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch
Winston Weinberg is the CEO and Co-Founder of Harvey, the leading professional services platform engineered with AI for law, tax, and finance. Winston has raised over $980M for Harvey from Sequoia, a16z, GV, Elad Gil and more with a last round price of $9.2BN post-money. Before founding Harvey in August 2022, Winston was an attorney at O'Melveny & Myers LLP, specializing in antitrust and securities litigation. AGENDA: 04:10 #1 Thing Every Founder Needs to Do Everyday 05:33 Must Do Daily Routines and Productivity Tips for CEOs 12:45 How to Get Sequoia and a16z Term Sheets 15:06 Why VCs Suck at Helping Companies Hire? 27:01 What No One Understands About Enterprise AI Adoption 38:06 AI's Impact on Professional Services 39:26 Future of Law Firms: Do They Die? 43:38 What Everyone Should Know That No One Tells You About Hiring in Europe 47:08 I Have Massive Trust Issues… 54:17 Biggest Lessons on Effective Deal-Making 59:20 Cold Emailing OpenAI and It Leading to a Term Sheet 01:02:33 Quick Fire Round Try NEXOS.AI for yourself with a 14-day free trial: https://nexos.ai/20vc
Can AI really reorder how business works - not just automate tasks, but redefine entire markets? In this episode, Frazer Anderson sits down with two leading thinkers - Conor Twomey and Ray Wang. They discuss: How AI exponentials fundamentally rewrite productivity and what that means for founders, enterprises, and investors competing with legacy incumbents. The evolving state of enterprise AI adoption - from prototypes to production‑scale agent workflows that transform business outcomes and unit economics. Why scaling enterprise AI depends less on model quality and more on your data foundation, internal coordination, and ability to operationalize agents across real workflows. — Conor Twomey is an accomplished executive with over 15 years of experience in addressing complex data challenges for leading global corporations. He is currently an AI Co-Founder at Stealth Startup. Conor is the former Head of AI Strategy at KX, a pioneer in real-time data analytics and decision intelligence. Under his leadership, KX successfully transitioned from a time-series database company to the Enterprise AI platform of choice for large-scale AI implementations. Before this role, Conor managed a 400-person organization encompassing Presales, Professional Services, Support, Managed Services, and Customer Success Management. Renowned for his insights on data and AI, Conor is a sought-after speaker and contributor on frontier technology topics, including Data, Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, and Generative AI. — Ray Wang, a tech luminary, is the Co-Founder & Chairman of Constellation Research, a Bestselling Author, and a Keynote speaker. Renowned for his insights into digital transformation and enterprise technology, Ray's expertise stems from influential roles at Altimeter Research and Forrester Research. His bestselling books, including "Disrupting Digital Business" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," delve deep into the impact of digital technologies on business models.
Most service businesses don't stall because of a lack of talent or ambition. They stall because the business quietly outgrows the systems it was built on.In this episode of The Handbook, Harv Nagra sits down with Jason Swenk – agency founder turned advisor who's spent two decades helping agencies and consultancies scale with more confidence and less chaos. After building and selling his own eight-figure agency, Jason codified the patterns he kept seeing into an eight-system framework for predictable growth.We unpack why so many leadership teams feel stuck, what actually breaks as businesses scale, and how operators can help reset the foundations before things start to crack.Here's what we get into:Why clarity, positioning, and offering are the foundations everything else depends onHow to move from reactive growth to a more deliberate, scalable operating modelThe difference between prospecting and sales – and why skipping steps causes pain laterHow delivery, ops, and leadership systems protect margins and give leaders time backWhat it really means to transition from founder mode to CEO modeWhether you're an Ops Director, COO, or part of a leadership team trying to break through a growth ceiling, this conversation is a strong reminder that maturity isn't about working harder – it's about building the right systems at the right time.Additional Resources:
David Ackert, Co-founder and CEO of Ackert, Inc. and its subsidiary, PipelinePlus joins Enterprise Radio. His new book, The Short List: How to Drive … Read more The post Boost Your Professional Services Enterprise by Creating a Short List of People to Get You There appeared first on Top Entrepreneurs Podcast | Enterprise Podcast Network.
When Hackers Target Schools: Defending K–12 from Cyber ThreatsPart of ZeroNow's Conversations expert panel discussion series, this session examines the growing cybersecurity threats facing today's schools—and how education leaders can defend against them. As districts become increasingly digital, they've also become prime targets for ransomware, phishing, and data breaches that can disrupt learning and compromise sensitive student information.Our panel of cybersecurity specialists, technology directors, and public safety experts will explore real-world attacks, lessons learned, and proactive strategies to build cyber resilience across K–12 systems. Attendees will gain actionable insights on risk assessment, incident response planning, staff training, and leveraging federal resources to protect networks and data.GuestsAntoinette KingAntoinette King, CISSP, PSP, has more than two decades of experience in the security industry, working in integration, manufacturing, and consulting. Antoinette founded Credo Cyber Consulting in 2020 with the goal of providing her clients with a holistic perspective on security, bridging the gap between the physical and cybersecurity domains with a focus on data privacy and protection. Her first book, The Digital Citizen's Guide to Cybersecurity: How to Stay Safe and Empowered Online, hit the Amazon Best Sellers list for all its categories in the first 48 hours of release. Her latest book, co-authored with Michelle Kreiger and released in October 2025, From Chalk Dust to Digital Trust: A Guide in Data Privacy and Security for K-12 Leaders, was #1 in Cloud-Based Computing books in the first week of release.Nathan Shanks Nathan Shanks is a seasoned executive and visionary leader with over two decades of experience in the technology and cybersecurity sectors. Currently serving as the General Manager of Global Cyber, Video, Software, and Access Management (VS&A) Professional Services at Motorola Solutions, Nathan drives the strategy and growth of mission-critical services, with a strong emphasis on protecting and securing software that protects communities and empowersenterprises worldwide. This requires leveraging the latest use of AI along with traditional proven techniques.Dr. Marnie HazeltonDr. Marnie Hazelton is a nationally recognized leader in educational equity, civic engagement, and transformative district leadership. She is the proud recipient of the NJ Visionary Superintendent Award and Leading Now's Civic Leadership in the Superintendency Award (2025), honoring her innovative and community-centered approach to student success.Under Dr. Hazelton's leadership, Englewood has accelerated post-pandemic academic recovery, with reading proficiency rising and all student subgroups exceeding growth targets. She has strengthened partnerships with community organizations and city agencies, created a District Community Liaison role, and launched inclusive initiatives such as the annual Back to School Fair.Her visionary efforts include the creation of a Cyber Café to enhance digital access and collaboration, and a state-of-the-art CTE Cosmetology Room that expands hands-on career readiness opportunities for students.With over $17 million in competitive grants secured throughout her career, Dr. Hazelton has led initiatives that close achievement gaps, expand advanced coursework, and promote restorative and dual-language learning. Recognized by the NAACP and as a NASS Superintendent of the Year finalist, Dr. Hazelton's leadership reflects excellence, equity, and the transformative power of education.
Traditional ABM frameworks are no longer enough.In this episode of the OnBase podcast, Paul Gibson sits down with Declan Mulkeen, CMO at Strategic ABM, to explore how modern ABM strategies are evolving toward outcomes, relevance, and long-term customer value.They discuss why customers do not buy “ABM models,” how buying groups should really be approached, the role of AI in accelerating insight without losing trust, and why lifetime value is becoming the most important metric for B2B growth.If you are rethinking your ABM approach or struggling to prove impact beyond marketing metrics, this conversation will change how you look at account-based marketing.About the GuestDeclan heads up Marketing at strategicabm. After some 20 years working as a CMO in the Professional Services, SaaS and EdTech sectors, Declan is now Agency-side building the strategicabm brand and running the Agency's successful ABM program. Declan is also the host of the leading ABM podcast, Let's talk ABM.Connect with Declan.
A short one to close out the year!
Show Notes: Bruno Strunz, lawyer, keynote speaker, and author of How to Sell Value in the Legal Market, shares his background, including his career path as a lawyer, including making partner and working for Volkswagen, and his extensive experience working with various companies and firms in both the legal departments and sales departments. Business Development for Professional Services Firms Bruno discusses his focus on business development for professional services firms, by selling in a structured and data-driven manner. Since 2018, he has been helping firms with what they have called the commoditization of quality and how to stand out in this competitive landscape. Bruno explains that his company initially focused on working with law firms for the last two years; they also started working with different types of professional services firms, including law firms, service orientated businesses, and consultancy companies. A Bespoke Approach to Business Development Bruno explains his approach to business development, starting with a diagnostic to understand the client base, churn, revenue generation, and distribution channels over the previous three years. He highlights the importance of expanding within existing client bases rather than focusing solely on new client acquisition. Bruno discusses the common challenges law firms face, such as low CRM adoption and the need for better data-driven decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of using CRM platforms effectively to improve sales processes and decision-making. Best Practice Approach for Growth Bruno outlines a best practice approach for growing within existing clients, starting with an 80/20 analysis to identify strategic clients. He looks at each business unit and asks if they have an account management plan for each unit, which means power mapping, stakeholder mapping, who's part of the decision-making process, assessing relationships, and understanding client goals for 2026. Bruno discusses the need for a SWOT analysis within specific accounts and the importance of looking for expansion opportunities. He highlights the challenges of client feedback in Latin America and the importance of guiding clients through their decision-making process. Differentiation in a Commoditized Market Bruno addresses the issue of differentiating in a commoditized market, where technical quality is no longer a competitive advantage. He emphasizes the importance of early engagement in the B2B buying cycle to avoid commoditization. Bruno discusses the role of relationship management, networking initiatives, and top-of-mind awareness in becoming the vendor of choice. He highlights the importance of bringing new insights and improving client experience to stand out in a competitive market. Client Success Stories Bruno shares a success story of working with a client in crisis management, focusing on educating the market and reframing their storytelling. He explains how the client successfully converted a multi-million dollar project during a major crisis. Bruno discusses another success story involving a proprietary framework to deep dive into client offerings and identify specific pain points. He highlights the importance of segmenting target lists, prioritizing outreach efforts, and bringing new ideas to clients. Bruno emphasizes the importance of consistency and discipline in business development strategies. Timestamps: 04:11: Business Development Strategies for Law Firms 10:43: Building a Programmatic Approach to Client Growth 14:49: Differentiating in a Commoditized Market 20:01: Success Stories and Client Impact 29:34: Final Thoughts and Contact Information Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunostrunz/ Website: https://strunz.com.br/ This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-628-bruno-strunz-how-to-sell-value-in-professional-services/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.
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Ops Quickies – snackable episodes on tech, tools, and systems.
In this episode of the Professional Services Pursuit podcast, host Banoo sits down with industry analyst and longtime consulting leader Brian Sommer to break down the five critical “anti-trends” professional services firms must confront heading into 2026. Instead of following the overhyped AI narratives dominating the market, Brian challenges firms to rethink how they present expertise, differentiate themselves, and build credibility in an era where clients are more informed and more skeptical than ever. Key Topics Covered in This Episode:Why firms must stop selling AI solutions in 2026 the same way they did in 2025How to “show, not tell” the real art of the possible with AIWhy sharing your firm's internal AI journey is essential for credibilityThe importance of proprietary intellectual propertyThe need to rethink your firm's value proposition and commercial model Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bringing a building design from concepts and renderings to a completed facility is a complex and technical process. Playing a major part in making it happen is BWBR's Dan Hottinger, Principal and Professional Services Director, who describes his role as “the bridge between design and putting the design in motion.” In this episode of Side Notes, he shares the latest innovations and challenges he sees facing the AEC industry—and how professional services can help.If you like what we are doing with our podcasts please subscribe and leave us a review!You can also connect with us on any of our social media sites!https://www.facebook.com/BWBRsolutionshttps://twitter.com/BWBRhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/bwbr-architects/https://www.bwbr.com/side-of-design-podcast/
Professor-in-residence at StoryBrand and host of the new podcast Badass Softie, Dr. J.J. Peterson, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss how to strike a balance between authority and empathy. And be sure to stick around to the end to hear J.J.'s take on AI's impact on professional services and how to avoid creating ‘louder garbage' :-)Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:17) - JJ Peterson's Current Ventures (01:11) - The Concept of 'Badass Softie' (03:26) - StoryBrand Framework Explained (06:20) - Empathy and Authority in Leadership (08:42) - Balancing Empathy and Authority in Coaching (12:38) - Personal Experiences and Coaching Styles (16:05) - Communicating Empathy and Authority Effectively (24:44) - Engaging Your Audience with Empathy and Authority (28:06) - Controlling the Narrative in Marketing (29:07) - Embracing Your Authentic Self as a Guide (31:41) - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (40:52) - The Importance of Niching Down (47:35) - Leveraging AI in Professional Services (51:39) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts LinksJ.J.'s website » https://www.drjjpeterson.com/J.J.'s podcast » https://www.badasssoftie.com/ ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
From Federal Warden to Leadership Consultant: Darlene Drew on Building Your Practice, Pricing Mistakes, and Running a Business Through Grief (The Price and Value Journey, Episode 153) Do you want to know how to build a professional services business when you have deep expertise but no client base? Darlene Drew shares exactly how she did […]
Elliot Moss didn't join a law firm to keep things the same. As Partner and Chief Brand Officer at Mishcon de Reya LLP, he brought a deep understanding of branding into a profession that often dismisses it, and changed how one of the UK's top firms thinks about growth and perception. He shares how clarity, consistency, and emotional intelligence turned Mishcon from a £45 million practice into a £380 million brand defined by truth and differentiation, not slogans. Clients, he says, may buy expertise, but they stay because of trust and how a firm makes them feel. He talks candidly about leading change in a culture that prizes logic over emotion, showing how small wins and patience can reshape perception from within. The conversation moves beyond marketing into the psychology of leadership, exploring why authentic differentiation matters more than polish and how strong branding can become a firm's greatest competitive advantage. For Elliot, the future of law will belong to those who understand that perception drives performance—and that real brand power is earned, not advertised. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Building a Brand Inside a Law Firm 04:35 From Advertising to Legal Branding 06:30 Why Differentiation Matters in Professional Services 09:08 Changing Client Perception Through Authentic Branding 15:33 Strategy and Growth at Mishcon de Reya LLP 24:32 Leading Change in a Traditional Industry 31:16 AI, Private Capital, and the Future of Law Firms 36:59 Elliot Moss on Leadership and Opportunity Connect with Elliot Moss Connect with Elliot on LinkedIn Elliot's Web Bio Connect with Howard Rosenberg: Connect with Howard on LinkedIn Howard's Company Web Profile Connect with Chris Batz: Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Follow Columbus Street on LinkedIn Columbus Street Website Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you'll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit Podcast, host Steve sits down with Lee Smith, an acquisition entrepreneur at Verdani Capital with 12 years of M&A experience. Lee shares hard-won lessons from acquiring 20+ businesses and reveals what buyers really look for when evaluating companies for acquisition. KEY TOPICS COVERED: The #1 Red Flag Buyers See (And How to Fix It) Lee reveals why owner-dependency kills deals and how to build transferability into your business 2-3 years before exit Inside the Valuation Process Real multiples for blue-collar businesses (2-4x true profit, not EBITDA) and why adjusted earnings can backfire Deal Structure That Works How Lee structures acquisitions to align incentives: buying 60-80% stakes with future upside potential that often doubles the founder's payday The Biggest Deal Mistakes From buying distressed companies to discovering hidden equity agreements 30 minutes before closing—lessons learned the hard way The £1 Business Acquisition Strategy How Lee has purchased 20 businesses for just one pound, including a remarkable turnaround that saved a founder from £500K in debt When Concentration Risk Isn't a Deal-Breaker Strategic approaches to handling clients that represent 60-70% of revenue, including key customer clauses in SPAs Building Trust in M&A Deals Why "two ears, one mouth" matters more than spreadsheets when structuring successful acquisitions The EOS Framework for Integration Using simple systems to manage acquired businesses without disrupting teams or culture -- Lee Smith is a values-driven entrepreneur and dealmaker with more than 25 years of experience and a respected track record in UK M&A. After completing his first acquisitions in 2014, he went on to buy and turn around nine underperforming companies before founding Verdani Capital, where he continues to acquire and scale larger UK businesses. To date, Lee has completed 26 acquisitions across sectors such as Manufacturing, Professional Services, Construction, HVAC, and IT Services, supported by training from leading M&A mentors in the UK and US. His current portfolio generates over £2M in annual profit with a clear path toward £10M, strengthened by three strategic exits in 2024. Grounded in spirituality and conscious leadership, Lee combines substance, strategy, and long-term thinking in every partnership. Website - https://www.leeasmith.co.uk/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You'll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/
Jacob Parks, co-author of The Growth Engine: A Guide to Building a World-Class Business Development Function in Professional Services. He has over 20 years of experience leading strategy, growth, and operations at Profitable Ideas Exchange (PIE for short) where he has helped professional services firms such as McKinsey, KPMG, and Accenture build sustainable growth engines.