While some consultants brace for economic headwinds, a select few see downturns as their greatest opportunity for explosive growth. But clinging to conventional growth strategies simply won't cut it. You need a completely different playbook for creating capturing value in today's market. Dr. Nate Regier not only recognized this, he built a playbook, transforming from a small startup to a global enterprise solution with his compassionate accountability framework.

And today, in this episode, he reveals the counterintuitive strategy that helped him secure major enterprise clients during the 2008 recession, how to flip the script and shift your revenue from 65% service revenue to 65% scalable product revenue, and the proven framework for measuring and communicating ROI that's so compelling, it silences even the most skeptical CFOs. And if you know CFOs, you know what I'm talking about.

If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

So imagine this: You've built a successful consulting practice, but now you're trapped in the endless cycle of competing on expertise alone. So here's the uncomfortable truth - being right isn't enough anymore. Today's guest on the podcast, Alex Smith, pioneered a radically different approach to strategy that helped him build an 85,000 person strong following and transformed his business. What he reveals will challenge everything you believe about standing out in a crowded marketplace. The best part, it's not about working harder, it's about thinking differently. 

In this episode, you're going to learn why being different matters more than being right, how to create a business without competitors - yes, it is actually possible - and the counterintuitive approach to strategy that actually works for smaller firms. That's right, strategy is not only for bigger firms. I think you're going to enjoy this one. Dig in.

Don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.

Alex Smith is a strategist, writer, and advisor to CEOs/founders who founded Basic Arts in 2016 to help brands stand out and deliver real value. The best-selling author of No Bullsh*t Strategy, Alex focuses on strategic clarity and escaping competition, empowering businesses to understand and articulate their unique value, achieving strategic advantage through differentiation. He also publishes "The Hidden Path" newsletter, a treasured publication offering its readers uncommon strategic insights.

Connect with Alex Smith

Discover more about Basic Arts

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

If you've ever worked with a large client, for example, a Fortune 500 prospect, you might be familiar with a question they often ask, which is, “What size is your team? How many people do you have?” As a solo consultant, your heart might sink. You know you have the expertise, but you're wondering, how do I respond? How do I deal with my smaller size when a larger company is asking? Well, that was the situation that Ken Ramaley was in until he engineered a counterintuitive approach that transformed his consulting practice. By challenging the conventional wisdom about hiring, team building, and digital transformation, he architected a path to a successful seven figure plus consulting business. Now, Ken has also been a client in our Clarity Coaching Program, and I've had the pleasure of watching firsthand how he's grown his business. 

In this episode, you will uncover the mindset shift that helps you land major clients before building your team, a proven framework for commanding premium fees without perfect infrastructure, and the exact process for scaling your practice while reducing your operational hours. That's right. I'm sure you want that as well. Being more effective, making more money while spending fewer hours working in the business. You'll learn all that in this episode. Dig in and enjoy.

Welcome to the Consulting Success podcast. I'm your host Michael Zipursky, and in this podcast, we're going to dive deep into the world of elite consultants where you're going to learn the strategies, tactics and mindset to grow a highly profitable and successful consulting business.

Before we dive into today's episode. Are you ready to grow and take your consulting business to the next level? Many of the clients that we work with started as podcast listeners just like you, and a consistent theme they have shared with us is that they wished they had reached out sooner about our Clarity Coaching Program rather than waiting for that perfect time. If you're interested in learning more about how we help consultants just like you, we're offering a free, no pressure growth session call. On this call, we're going to dive deep into your goals, challenges and situation and outline a plan that is tailor made just for you. We will also help you identify where you may be making costly and time consuming mistakes to ensure you're benefiting from the proven methods and strategies to grow your consulting business. 

So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.

Ken Ramaley, founder of Ramaley Group, has 20+ years in process engineering, auditing, and business consulting. Passionate about cultivating process excellence through projects, training and coaching, Ken leverages Lean Six Sigma experience from GE, Prudential, and Bank of America. He's also a certified internal auditor with a risk management assurance certificate. A Brown BA in Mathematics and a UChicago MBA in Finance/Management underpin his expertise. Ken holds a patent for statistical sampling and is a published author in trade and academic journals.

Connect with Ken Ramaley

Discover more about Ramaley Group

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Hey, what's up consultants? So check this: You've built a successful consulting practice meticulously delivering results for your clients. But what if the very approach that got you here is now silently sabotaging your growth? After guiding over 300 enterprise level implementations and engineering $1 million+ transformations, today's guest discovered something counterintuitive, that most consultants are leaving millions of dollars on the table by mishandling this one critical element of the client engagement. 

So join me as Blair Hicken, a 20-year veteran in enterprise consulting, reveals his battle-tested framework for scaling high value advisory services while maintaining deep client relationships. You're going to discover the counterintuitive approach to pricing premium services that actually makes clients reach out more, how to structure your delivery model, command 5 and 6 figure engagements while reducing your personal involvement. and the exact discovery framework that converts complex projects into long term partnerships. Enjoy.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How offering fixed-fee advisory services can increase client communication and project success.
• How to structure your consulting business for scalability by utilizing a network of senior-level contractors.
• The distinct difference and value of advisory services compared to hands-on implementation, specifically in large ERP/CRM projects.
• Strategies to position yourself as a trusted advisor from the very first client interaction, before the contracts.
• How a low-risk discovery offer can build trust and lead to larger, long-term engagements.
• How to mentally navigate the ups and downs of consulting work and leverage project opportunities.
• How to transition experienced contract professionals to your team.

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Ready to make a substantial investment in reaching the next level of your consulting business? In today’s compelling episode, Mike welcomes his cousin and Consulting Success co-founder, Sam Zipursky, to delve into the transformative power of Mastermind events, a strategy that has been instrumental in their many years of Consulting Success. Together, they pull back the curtain on their upcoming exclusive Mastermind in Mexico City, a three-day immersive experience designed to catapult high-achieving consultants to unprecedented heights. Exploring the ways in which surrounding oneself with top-tier entrepreneurs can be a game-changer, they demonstrate how their Mexico City Mastermind will provide the opportunity for unparalleled growth and inspiration for those looking to elevate their consulting practice.

Throughout the episode, listeners will discover:

• The profound impact of Masterminds on Mike and Sam's consulting journey and how this strategy can revolutionize the listener's business.
• A detailed look at what attendees can expect from the exclusive Mexico City Mastermind, including workshops, hot seats, and unique networking opportunities.
• Sam's strategies for building long-lasting business relationships and collaborations that extend far beyond the event itself.
• The importance of creating a solid action plan, a key focus of the event, to help attendees implement their newfound knowledge and achieve breakthrough results.
• Why Mike and Sam chose Mexico City as the perfect backdrop for this high-level event and how listeners can secure one of the limited spots before they're gone.
• The minimum requirements needed to attend the Mastermind in Mexico City, and how to apply.

So don't wait years to find clarity. If you're committed and serious about reaching a new level of success in your consulting business, go ahead and schedule your free growth session. Get in touch today. Just visit Consulting Success - Grow to book your free call today.

Sam Zipursky is a seasoned consultant and co-founder of Consulting Success. With 20+ years of experience, he's a master of branding, design, and digital marketing - skills sharpened by co-founding Kankei Culture in 2001. Passionate about international business, music, and digital publishing, his work spans the globe. Sam speaks English and Japanese, seeks roles in social business, music, and digital publishing, and is an avid traveler as well as a professional DJ.

Connect with Sam Zipursky

Discover more about The Consulting Success Mexico City Mastermind

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Want to learn how we can help you grow your consulting business? Schedule your free Growth Session Call today!  www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow

How exactly does a classically trained marketer transition from big-budget ad agencies to founding a consultancy that propels private equity portfolio companies to their revenue goals? Summer Craig, founder of Craig Group, joins Michael today to share her journey from corporate roles at HomeAway.com and Gulf States Toyota to building a 23-person growth advisory firm. Along the way, Summer uncovered a critical market gap: the challenge of attributing marketing spend to revenue, especially at the board level. Leveraging her experience and a key early client, she pivoted from media buying to strategic consulting, focusing on the underserved lower middle market. If you are struggling to connect with private equity firms, Summer's insights into aligning marketing strategies with financial outcomes offer a roadmap for consultants aiming to make a significant impact in specialized markets.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Summer identified a critical market need while working with major brands and agencies.
• The steps Summer took to transition from a corporate employee to a consultant, including securing her previous employer as her first client.
• How Summer expanded her client base through strategic networking, and how adding a partner with private equity expertise proved pivotal.
• The critical financial metrics Summer tracks to ensure sustainable growth, including customer acquisition cost and margin analysis.
• How Summer adapted her firm's messaging to resonate with private equity clients, moving away from marketing jargon to the language of value creation.
• Why proactive outbound marketing and awareness building are essential, even in a referral-driven business model.
• That Summer offers a free CRO dashboard designed to help calculate CAC and LTV that’s available here: Summer's FREE CRO Dashboard Download.

Important Links:

Summer Craig

Craig Group

CraigGroup.IO on LinkedIn

Summer's FREE CRO Dashboard Download

Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://www.consultingsuccess.com/podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Expert Insights into Your Consulting Business: Claim Your FREE Growth Session Now!

Want to get personalized feedback and actionable insights on your consulting business from seasoned experts who've been in your shoes? The Consulting Success Clarity Coaching Program offers just that, and you can experience a taste of it with a FREE, no-obligation Growth Session. On this call, you'll explore how to optimize your business model, refine your messaging, and build a predictable stream of high-value clients. https://www.consultingsuccess.com/grow