David C. Baker asked a useful question.
David C. Baker asked a useful question. “In thinking about the best boss you've ever had, what was that one thing about how that person interacted with you that you most appreciate?” It’s been many years, but two bosses jumped to mind immediately. First ‘shielded me from
Build an audience to serve that audience.
Build an audience to serve that audience. And serve that audience to build an audience. That’s what I’m doing here, slowly. Why are you here? — Connect if you’re a consultant who is responsible for serving clients AND winning new projects. — [This extract from CJ Chilvers excellent book
The Unreasonable Edge.
The Unreasonable Edge: How Bold Visionaries Change the Game --- What Will Guidara author says in the book Unreasonable Hospitality: “No one who ever changed the game did so by being reasonable. Serena Williams. Walt Disney. Steve Jobs. Martin Scorsese. Prince. Look across every discipline, in every arena—sports, entertainment, design,
Master Setting Boundaries With Your Clients.
Expert Practitioners: Master Setting Boundaries With Your Clients (Clear boundaries build trust and create lasting relationships.) ❌ Always available to client requests, no matter what. ✅ Set clear communication times clients can rely on. ❌ Avoid discussing money directly; it feels uncomfortable. ✅ Be upfront about fees to prevent misunderstandings. ❌ Let timelines stay flexible
Why guess when you can ask?
Why guess when you can ask? A surprise post featuring ME earlier this week. Not often people say thank you in public - I'm grateful Dean Moon. Let's break this down ... Why I mentor others? Trial and error → Guided execution Reinventing the wheel → Refining proven methods Random
Expert Practitioners: Move from Deliverables to Outcome-Focused Proposals
Expert Practitioners: Move from Deliverables to Outcome-Focused Proposals (Why consultants rely on deliverables—and how to shift mindset.) ❌ Focusing on the tangible deliverables to please low-level clients. ✅ Link deliverables to meaningful, measurable project outcomes. ❌ Avoid outcomes because they can seem harder to control. ✅ Co-create outcomes that account
Your consultancy business thrives where you have the most influence.
Your consultancy business thrives where you have the most influence. ⇥ Influence creates clarity. ⇥ Influence directs impact. ⇥ Influence inspires action. But, don’t chase influence everywhere. ⇥ Real Influence offers deep connection. ⇥ Real influence has strategic intentions. ⇥ Real influence brings a transformation. Apply your influence where it matters. ===
I listened to a new book completely in a single day.
I listened to a new book completely in a single day; it has been a long time since I’ve done that. Was it worth it? Blair Enns narrates The Four Conversations: A New Model for Selling Expertise. He's the author and also co-conspirator on the 2Bobs
We’ve all been there.
We’ve all been there. You meet a bunch of interesting people at an event, swap cards, have great conversations... and then life gets busy. Before you know it, all those potential connections start to gather dust. 𝗦𝗼, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴? Here’s the thing about following up: it doesn’t have to be
“What is it with consultants and business conversations?”
“What is it with consultants and business conversations?” She asks. I’m at the bar with a VP of a large company. “How do you mean?” I reply. “They all ask me the same thing. You know Clive, one of those ‘what’s your problem’ questions. I’m sick of