Episode 133: Reinventing Consulting: How adversity led to employee owned success, with Matt Cheung

Climb In Consulting

#Climb In Consulting #Nick Synott #Digital Marketing #Tech #S L I #MBA #Business #Industries

57:50

Alex (@alex_kamenca) and Carley (@carleymitus) are both members of our Action Academy Community that purchased TWO small businesses last thursday! Want To Quit Your Job In The Next 6-18 Months Through Buying Commercial Real Estate & Small Businesses? 👔🏝️ Schedule A Free 15 Minute Coaching Call With Our Team Here To Get "Unstuck" Want to know which investment strategy is best for you? Take our Free Asset-Selection Quiz Check Out Our Bestselling Book : From Passive To Passionate : How To Quit Your Job - Grow Your Wealth - And Turn Your Passions Into Profits Want A Free $100k+ Side Hustle Guide ? Follow Me As I Travel & Build: IG @brianluebben ActionAcademy.com…

2年之前 1:07:22

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In this week’s episode, Nick chats with Matt Cheung, CEO at Clarasys, the international business consulting firm, focused on delivering the best possible experiences for their clients and their people. Regular listeners may recognise Matt’s name, and that’s because Matt was the very first guest on Climb In Consulting. Having previously talked about the origins of Clarasys and Matt’s journey to founding the business in that episode, Nick and Matt wanted to do something a little different with this one, and use it as a chance to go into detail on many of the principles behind Claraysis’s success. In this Conversation Nick and Matt talk about a range of topics that challenge the common orthodoxy in consulting, as Matt shares his perspective on why these widely held beliefs are actually holding people and consultancies back. They cover some fascinating areas, including: - Why Matt believes the traditional hierarchical approach to running organisations has had its day - The importance of being open and honest with your people, even in difficult times - Why Matt thinks many Consultants are unhappy – and the ingredients we all need to find happiness at work - How and why Matt took the decision to turn Clarasys into an Employee Ownership Trust …and much more besides, including a chat about Matt’s fascinating book ‘Trust and Patience’ – the story of how he built Clarasys. So if you’re just starting out on your consulting journey, thinking of making the leap from firm to founder, or simply enjoy listening to values-driven success stories, you’ll love this episode of Climb in Consulting. We hope you enjoy the show! Reach out to Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcheungclarasys/ Learn more about Clarasys: https://www.clarasys.com/ Books, magazines, and websites mentioned in the show: Trust and Patience, by Matt Cheung and Samantha Roberts Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness, by Frédéric Laloux Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink Corporate Rebels: Make work more fun by Joost Minnaar, Pim de Morree The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth, by Amy C. Edmondson

162集单集

Episode 133: Reinventing Consulting: How adversity led to employee owned success, with Matt Cheung

Climb In Consulting

66 subscribers

published 2年之前

MP3•单集首页

162集单集

#Climb In Consulting #Nick Synott #Digital Marketing #Tech #S L I #MBA #Business #Industries

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Climb In Consulting

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Episode 154: From Side Hustle to £8M - Cross 8’s Journey with Tobias Robinson 1:30:37

3天之前1:30:37

1:30:37

What does it take to scale a consultancy fourfold, while keeping culture, autonomy, and team spirit at the centre? In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick Synnott sits down with Tobias Robinson, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Cross 8, to explore exactly that. Tobias’ story is anything but typical. From starting as a contractor to co-founding a consultancy that’s grown from £2M to £8M in just three years, he shares his unfiltered take on entrepreneurship, leadership, and how to grow a values-driven business that still delivers commercially. This episode covers: - Why Tobias believes schools need to teach entrepreneurship early - Cross 8’s journey to £8M and the systems that made it happen - Why Toby prioritised hiring experienced consultants over the traditional pyramid - Cross 8’s global fire engine expedition and why it says everything about their culture - The power of practical skills, risk appetite, and building a business that works for life, not just the exit - How Tobias manages multiple ventures without burning out, and why Oliver Burkman’s philosophy changed how he works Whether you’re growing your consulting firm, thinking about your next move, or just love a good entrepreneurial story, this episode is packed with lessons. Enjoy the show!…

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Episode 153: Scaling a Consultancy: Private Equity Insights with Alex Thomson 1:24:48

5 weeks之前1:24:48

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How do you turn a good consulting firm into a great one - and what role does Private Equity really play in that journey? In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick Synnott sits down with Alex Thomson, Partner at Growth Capital Partners (GCP), to unpack everything you need to know as a consulting leader about scaling, selling, and thriving in today’s market. With nearly 20 years of experience supporting high-growth consulting and tech firms - including Hippo Digital, Infinity Works, and Chaucer - Alex brings a rare investor's perspective on what it takes to build a firm that truly stands out. In this conversation, they explore: * The real reasons consulting firms stall their growth - and how to break through those barriers * The essential leadership and hiring moves for scaling firms * How firms should approach Private Equity - and what investors like Alex look for in a partner * Why expanding to the U.S. might not be the silver bullet for value creation - and what to consider before you do it * Lessons from firms that tripled EBITDA and created transformational growth If you’re a consulting leader thinking about scaling, selling, or simply building a better business - this is one not to miss. We hope you enjoy the show!…

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Episode 152: Building for Growth: Leadership, Talent, and Global Expansion with James Constable 1:12:51

8 weeks之前1:12:51

1:12:51

James Constable, CEO of Albany Beck returns to Climb in Consulting to share insights on leadership, scaling a consulting firm, and international expansion. Tune in for real-world lessons on growth, strategy, and building a winning team.

Climb In Consulting

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Episode 151: Ride the Recurring Revenue Wave: How to Productise Consultancies, with Jonathan Corrie 1:01:43

22 weeks之前1:01:43

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Scaling up in a competitive sector, integrating new tech capabilities and responding to the continual push on fees, are all challenges that you’re probably wrestling with for your consultancy right now. And that’s why we invited today’s guest on to share his insights on how to solve these problems, having faced these challenges head on for both his own business and his clients. Jonathan Corrie has helped numerous consultancy firms navigate their way through these tricky waters and seize revenue-growing opportunities as CEO of Precursive, a professional services automation platform that helps turn services into repeatable products. In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Nick and Jonathan dive into the nitty gritty of productisation, discussing how consulting firms can make the leap from delivering one-off projects to providing a subscription-based service that drives up the value of your business. Nick and Jonathan explore the key elements to successfully productising all or part of your service, and some pitfalls to watch out for, including: - How to move from time and materials (TNM) to re-occurring to recurring revenue. - Why providing a repeatable service doesn’t mean you can’t charge premium fees. - How to design a product that harnesses the power of AI to accelerate and scale your service but doesn’t decimate the fees you can charge. - And why it’s so important that consultants stop talking like consultants. If you’re looking for new ways to grow your consultancy and want to harness the power of technology, Jonathan is the person to listen to. We hope you enjoy the show! Reach out to Jonathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfcorrie/ Learn more about Precursive: https://www.precursive.com/…

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Episode 150: Marking the milestone with some top advice from Climb in Consulting's awesome guests 1:34:54

31 weeks之前1:34:54

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For our milestone 150th episode of Climb in Consulting, we’re bringing back some of our top all-time guests—the individuals whose insights have resonated most with our listeners. Here’s who you’ll be hearing from in alphabetical order: - Adrian Bettridge - Keith Burgess - Mark Campbell - John Howard They’ll be answering five carefully chosen questions that dive deep into leadership, overcoming failure, setting goals, and personal growth. Here's a sneak peek at what they'll be sharing: 1. A Career-Defining Moment: What was the pivotal moment that shaped their leadership approach, and what did they learn from it? 2. Lessons from Failure: They'll reflect on how a failure—or what seemed like one—ultimately set them up for success. Expect some real-life “favorite failures” and the key lessons that came from them. 3. Evolving Goal Setting: From their early career days to now, how has their approach to setting and achieving goals changed? We’ll get the inside scoop on big goals and how they made them happen. 4. What Sets the Best Apart: After working with countless consultants, our guests share the traits that separate the best from the rest. What behaviors and mindsets consistently lead to success? 5. Books That Made an Impact: Since their last appearance, what books have influenced their thinking or leadership style? And how have they applied those insights in their work? Packed with the wisdom and practical advice that’s made these guests listener favorites, this episode is full of golden insights. Whether you’re new to consulting or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone. You won’t want to miss it!…

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Episode 149: Building for scale: how to unlock 20x growth in your consultancy, with Mark Palmer 1:47:44

40 weeks之前1:47:44

1:47:44

How do you take a boutique doing a healthy $2m a year and transform it into an industry leader at $40m. In this episode of Climb In Consulting, Nick is joined by Mark Palmer, former Managing Director of OEE Consulting, to share his story of having done just that. Mark’s journey is a fascinating one, but also one that nearly didn’t happen. Had it not been for a chance meeting at a dinner party, Mark would have been on his way to McKinsey, and his story with OEE would never have begun. Fortunately for Mark, and for you listening, that chance meeting did happen and it led him on a journey to building OEE. A journey that he shares all of his advice, lessons, and learnings from in today’s episode. This conversation is packed with value, from the importance of client focus and collaboration to fostering a culture where successes and failures are shared by the whole team. Get ready to unlock the secrets to building – and scaling - a client-centric boutique consultancy, as we explore: How Mark's unique background equipped him for success in consulting. The strategies Mark and his team used to achieve phenomenal growth. Mark's approach to building a thriving team environment as well as strong client connections. This episode has so much in it to equip you to build a thriving consulting career - be that within a consultancy or leading your own. Reach out to Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpalmeroee/ Books, magazines, and websites mentioned in the show: Create Space: How to Manage Time and Find Focus, Productivity and Success by Derek Draper I'm Ok, You're Ok: A Practical Approach to Human Psychology, by Thomas Harris The Strategy of the Dolphin: Winning Elegantly by Coping Powerfully in a World of Turbulent Change, by Dudley Lynch and Paul L. Kordis Blackbox Thinking by Matthew Syed…

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Episode 148: Unleashing potential: How to nurture a thriving team, with Alan Frost 1:10:19

42 weeks之前1:10:19

1:10:19

Imagine building a high-performing consulting team of 40, brick by brick, from the ground up. That's the remarkable journey of Alan Frost, Partner at Forvis Mazars. In this episode of Climb in Consulting, Alan shares his inspiring story, and offers expert insights on cultivating a collaborative and empowering environment for consultants of all levels. Get ready to explore: - The unexpected benefits of an accounting background: Discover how Alan's experience as a chartered accountant provided a solid foundation for building a successful consulting team. - The pandemic's surprising silver lining: Explore how Alan's team leveraged remote work to strengthen collaboration, upskill, and build a deeper bond. - Why graduates are your secret weapon: Challenge the conventional wisdom about experience in consulting. Alan shares his philosophy on integrating graduates and creating a learning environment where they can flourish. - The team effort behind building trust: Learn why Alan prioritises a team-centric approach to client relationships, fostering trust and confidence across the entire consulting team. This episode is packed with insights for aspiring and seasoned consultants alike. Tune in and discover how Alan navigated an unconventional path to leadership, building a thriving team that delivers exceptional value to clients. We hope you enjoy the show! Reach out to Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-frost/ Learn more about Forvis Mazars: https://www.forvismazars.com/uk/en Books, magazines, and websites mentioned in the show: - What Got You Here Won't Get You There, by Marshall Goldsmith: https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Got-Here-Wont-There/dp/1846681375 - Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? by Harriet Beveridge: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Will-Make-Boat-Faster-Olympic-winning/dp/1838592962/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GTLPAR2S16MP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A1QCCDHoKTiMOf__m-O3ZNlv96CzQKcjWmx6KbbNCYEfmEl6IvlH4WjkYJEAn68_3khQh1OGDFZX7jvcpar3Q_K3_iuyjgTohSEU37lq3X0xv2FidLwzVLmhi3_dlJ5l.PtxYAz3cxK6YcHY6OFVJyBJgSCs2XRZdjS3RLJnUbmY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Will+it+make+the+boat+go+faster%3F&qid=1719320593&s=books&sprefix=will+it+make+the+boat+go+faster+%2Cstripbooks%2C88&sr=1-1…

Climb In Consulting

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Episode 147: Building a Sustainable Sales Engine for Your Consultancy, with Alan Morton 1:32:49

45 weeks之前1:32:49

1:32:49

Is your firm relying on the same handful of ‘rainmakers’ to bring in business? The latest episode of Climb in Consulting looks at the practical steps consultancies need to take to build a scalable sales engine that fuels growth and removes risk. Nick was joined by Alan Morton, Managing Director of SBR Consulting, a specialist global consultancy that focuses on growth and revenue acceleration. On the day SBR Consulting hit its 1000th client milestone, Alan shared his insights on: - The dangers of client concentration: Discover how to avoid over-dependence on one key client or contact. - Demystifying (and democratising) sales: Remove the stigma around sales and create a culture where everyone embraces it as a way to add value and build trust. - The power of "coffee conversations": Turn casual chats into opportunities by using curiosity-driven questions to uncover challenges and potential solutions. - Moving beyond a hope-based strategy: Develop a systematic approach to winning business through active listening and asking the right questions. - Metrics that matter: Learn the key sales pipeline metrics you should be tracking to gain predictability and optimise your sales process. - Building a coaching culture: Discover how data-driven insights can be used to identify development needs and fuel a strong coaching culture within your consultancy. - CRM done right: Avoid the "garbage in, garbage out" trap and learn how to leverage a CRM system to gain valuable insights and improve your sales effectiveness. This episode is packed with practical takeaways that will help you transform your consultancy from a reactive business to a proactive growth machine. We hope you enjoy the show! Reach out to Alan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanmorton/ Learn more about SBR Consulting: https://sbrconsulting.com Books, magazines, and websites mentioned in the show: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Screw It, Let’s Do It by Sir Richard Branson…

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Episode 146: Advice from the Best in the Business - 2024 Edition 23:18

47 weeks之前23:18

23:18

Ready to supercharge your consulting career? Packed with insights, this episode of Climb In Consulting brings you a whole host of valuable advice from some of the industry’s leading figures. Regular listeners will know that we occasionally change gears to bring you special round-up episodes. And if you’re new to the show, sit back and enjoy, you’re in for a real treat! In every interview, we ask our guests one key question: "What's your single best piece of advice for aspiring consultants, managers, and those aiming for partner?" Since our guests represent diverse backgrounds and career paths, their answers are as unique as they are insightful. Many of you have told us these pieces of advice are like gold, so we compile them into special episodes – just like this one. This time around, get ready to hear from a fantastic selection of guests featured over the past eight months on Climb In Consulting. Our experts include: - Graeme Curwen, Co-Founder and CEO of Enfuse Group - Assad Ahmed, CEO of Phase 3 - Simon Dixon, CEO of Hatmill - Marc Jantzen, Founder of The Consultancy Growth Network - David Bailey, Strategic M&A Advisor - Graeme Freeman, Co-founder of Freeman Clarke - Mark Grice, Co-founder of Total Negotiation Group - Sarah Matthew, Founder of The Vibrant Company These thought leaders share practical strategies for navigating every phase of your consulting career, so whether you're just starting out or seeking that push to the pinnacle, this episode delivers actionable guidance and inspiration. Ready to climb to new heights? Tune in to the new Climb In Consulting episode and unlock your full potential. Enjoy the show!…

Climb In Consulting

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Episode 145: Niching down to succeed: An hourglass approach to consulting growth, with Joe O’Mahoney 1:01:02

49 weeks之前1:01:02

1:01:02

Are you ready to take your consultancy to the next level? Then you’re in the right place! In the latest episode of Climb In Consulting, we delve deep into the world of consultancy marketing with Joe O'Mahoney, Professor of Consulting at Cardiff University and strategic advisor to consulting and tech leaders across the globe. This fantastic interview originally appeared in our brand new marketing podcast, Brand and Deliver, but it was packed full of so many gems, that we knew it was an episode that our Climb in Consulting audience wouldn’t want to miss. Tune in as Joe shares his unparalleled experience and sheds light on the crucial role marketing plays in propelling your firm to new heights. Here are some of the invaluable insights covered in this episode: - Craft a crystal-clear value proposition: Many consultancies struggle to define what will distinguish them from the masses and communicate it effectively. Learn how to develop a compelling value proposition that resonates with your ideal clients. - The power of "no": It's tempting to offer every service imaginable. However, strategically declining irrelevant projects allows you to develop deeper expertise in your niche, ultimately strengthening your proposition. - Pick up the phone: In today's noisy digital landscape, picking up the phone and fostering connections with existing and past clients is more important than ever. - Thought leadership: Discover how to create high-quality, reusable thought leadership content that positions you as a trusted advisor. - AI in marketing: The marketing landscape is constantly evolving, but what does AI mean for the future of consulting? This episode is a treasure trove of insights for any consultancy owner or marketer looking to harness the power of marketing to fuel growth. Tune in and gain the seasoned perspective you need to take your marketing efforts to the next level!…

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Episode 144:Avoiding the growth trap: Secrets to sustainable consultancy success, with Sarah Matthew 1:47:45

51 weeks之前1:47:45

1:47:45

Forget climbing the corporate ladder. Today's Climb In Consulting dives into building your own. We welcome Sarah Matthew, founder of The Vibrant Company, as she shares her journey from bootstrapped startups to industry leader. Sarah's career is a masterclass in consultancy leadership. After moving from the corporate world of pharma marketing, she played a leading role in turning around the fortunes of an ailing marketing consultancy, before co-founding and selling her own successful consultancy, Virgo. In this fantastic episode, you'll learn the secrets to: - Avoiding the growth trap: How to build a sustainable consultancy that scales, without sacrificing your team. - Laying the groundwork for success: Ensure your consultancy is built on a rock-solid foundation before scaling. - Delivering client nirvana: Discover the three things clients crave most from their consultants (and how to provide them exceptionally). - Crafting your winning narrative: Develop a clear strategy and build a brand that resonates with your ideal clients. You’ll even learn why consultancies need to stop being jellyfish and instead embrace their inner swordfish! This episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom and valuable takeaways to take your career and consultancy to the next level, not one to be missed! Listen to the full episode now! Reach out to Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmatthew/?originalSubdomain=uk Learn more about The Vibrant Company: https://thevibrantcompany.com/…

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Episode 143: Going global: Negotiating the path to success, with Mark Grice 1:19:48

1 year之前1:19:48

1:19:48

The global pandemic threw a huge curveball at most businesses. Face-to-face interactions became a thing of the past, and consultancies offering in-person services found themselves struggling to adapt. But for Total Negotiation Group (TNG), strong leadership and a willingness to diversify helped turn the global crisis into a huge opportunity. In the latest episode of Climb In Consulting, Nick caught up with Mark Grice, Co-founder of Total Negotiation Group (TNG), a successful global consultancy that helps its clients to build more sustainable and valuable commercial partnerships. Nick and Mark explore how a clever pandemic pivot, along with a strong focus on asking the right questions, not only ensured the firm’s survival, but actually fueled phenomenal growth, helping them accelerate from £5m to £10m revenue during that time. They also dive into a huge number of topics, including: - The fascinating career journey that’s taken Mark from accounting to negotiating, via global stints at Guinness and Disney. - Why commercial negotiation has little in common with talking down hostages - despite what the movies would have you believe! - How TNG knew the time was right for them to expand into Australia – even though they were only in their second year of business. - Why finding the right business partner offers far more benefits than simply having two heads rather than one. - Why asking the right questions – and really listening to the answers – is the one crucial skill all business owners need to learn. …and much more besides! Mark’s story is fascinating and this episode is jam-packed with practical advice and insights for you to take away. Reach out to Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgrice1/ Learn more about Total Negotiation Group: https://www.totalnegotiation.com/ Books, magazines, and websites mentioned in the show: When Cultures Collide: Leading Across Cultures by Richard D. Lewis Getting to Yes: Negotiating an Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William Ury…

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Episode 143: Maximise your ROI: 4 secrets to drive your marketing success, with Nick Synnott 54:13

1 year之前54:13

54:13

In this episode of Climb in Consulting, we're bringing you something a little out of the ordinary, as we turn the tables and put our very own Nick Synnott under the spotlight! Nick recently delivered an insightful and highly practical webinar, all about boosting ROI through effective content marketing. We had so much great feedback on it that we decided to launch it for the podcast, so that you could benefit from what was shared as well. In ‘Maximise Your ROI: 4 Secrets To Drive Your Marketing Success’, Nick explained the strategies and tactics that you can use to achieve outstanding results from your marketing. Whether you're struggling to build brand awareness, generate leads or turn those leads into conversations, this episode is packed with actionable insights for you to take away and apply in your consultancy today. Here's a taste of what you'll learn: - The 4 secrets to successful consultancy marketing: Discover the fundamental elements that every successful marketing approach is built upon. - How to put them into practice: The practical steps you can take to implement these secrets within your own consultancy. - How to ensure ROI: How to leverage cost-effective tactics like webinars and whitepapers to generate the results you want to see. If you’re leading a boutique consultancy and frustrated with your lack of marketing results, or you’re running marketing for your firm and want a framework to help you turn your activity into tangible ROI, then this episode is a must-listen. Ready to unlock the secrets to marketing success? Tune in now. We hope you enjoy the show!…

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Episode 142: The Art of the Deal: Unlocking M&A Secrets for Consultancies, with David Bailey 1:22:08

1 year之前1:22:08

1:22:08

In the consulting industry, we talk a lot about exits, most founders will have had the thought about selling their business and sailing off into the sunset, and many do! But there’s another side that’s often less considered, the acquisition side and who buys those businesses, focussing on scaling their firms to be bigger and better. So, to take a deep dive on the less explored buy-side, David Bailey, seasoned advisor, lets us in on his expansive expertise and knowledge. This episode is packed with knowledge to help buyers understand what to look out for when acquiring a firm, and in turn, how to set your business up for sale. David joins Nick to discuss a diverse career path that’s taken him from consulting entrepreneur to seasoned M&A advisor. Along the way, he's built, sold, and advised multiple consulting firms, accumulating a wealth of wisdom on specialisation, strategic positioning, and navigating the complex world of acquisitions. In this episode, David and Nick cover a wide range of topics, including: - Why being a generalist is the quickest way for consultancies to repel potential buyers, and why offering 30 different services is probably 29 too many. - How to navigate the M&A maze, from maximising your firm's value and finding the right buyer, to making the right exit for you. - What your employees’ LinkedIn profiles could be revealing to would-be buyers - How David crafted a successful advisory career – and why building credibility and defining your unique value proposition are essential steps if you aspire to follow in his footsteps. Whether you're a firm owner contemplating an exit strategy, an aspiring buyer seeking growth opportunities, or simply fascinated by the dynamics of deal-making, this episode is packed with invaluable insights. Whether you're a consultancy owner contemplating an exit strategy, n aspiring buyer seeking growth opportunities or wanting to expand your knowledge on the art of deal-making, this episode is packed with invaluable insights. We hope you enjoy the show! Reach out to David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbailey47/…

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Episode 141: Beyond the bandwagon: How to carve a unique path to success, with Graeme Freeman 1:28:24

1 year之前1:28:24