Episodes
Are you struggling to grow revenue and win new business? Do you know the trigger events that put prospects in the market for your services? Are you talking to the wrong prospects? In this session, we'll dive into strategies for identifying these trigger events and refining your ideal client profile (ICP) enabling you to offer a focused, niche service that resonates with the right prospects. Gain actionable insights on how to continuously focus your ICP to recognize when clients enter your...
Published 11/15/24
As founders, many of us dream of a successful exit, but what happens when you're ready to sell part of your business while keeping a stake in its future growth? In this session, we’ll explore the dynamics of a partial exit—a strategy that allows founders to take some chips off the table, while still staying involved and benefiting from the company’s ongoing success. Whether you're considering selling a minority stake or a significant portion of your business, this session will arm you with...
Published 11/08/24
In today's fast-evolving business landscape, the demand for fractional CxO services is growing rapidly. Join this session to learn what a fractional CxO is, how it's different than consulting, which funcitonal areas are being fractionalized and why this model is gaining in popularity. We will explore common use cases and leaders in the space, and what to consider before using a fractional CxO. Whether you’re looking to hire a fractional leader or become one, this session will equip you with...
Published 11/01/24
Many boutique pro serv firms are hesitant to pursue large deals without a delivery team in place or have concerns that they can hire to meet demand without compromising on quality. Join this session to learn from a pioneering firm that has developed a unique approach to solving talent supply chain challenges when pursuing large deals. Ben Johnson, CEO at Particle41 will share the innovative strategies that the firm uses to ensure they have the right people in place to deliver on large deals.  
Published 10/18/24
In this session, you will discover the immense value of client testimonials in selling your services. We will explore how testimonials serve as powerful social proof, helping to build trust and credibility with prospective clients. You will learn strategies for soliciting authentic and compelling testimonials from satisfied clients and techniques for presenting them in various formats, including case studies and video testimonials. The session will also cover best practices for integrating...
Published 10/11/24
This session will explore the journey to building a $3M book of business, focusing on the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and forming deep, meaningful relationships. Participants will learn how to strategically position themselves to be chosen for work, while also incorporating business development activities they genuinely enjoy, alongside people they like. The session will also reveal one simple, daily habit—taking just 10 minutes—that has proven to generate more business than...
Published 10/04/24
Join this session to gain a deep understanding of how to set, adjust, and optimize your pricing to enhance profitability, attract and retain clients, and stay competitive in the marketplace. We will explore cost-based, value-based, and competition-based pricing, helping you determine which approach aligns best with your firm's goals and market position. You will learn how to analyze your costs and market conditions to set prices that reflect the value of your services while ensuring...
Published 09/27/24
Join us for an in-depth session on thematic investing, a powerful strategy embraced by private equity (PE) firms to capture emerging trends and drive superior returns. Mark Gartner, Managing Director at RLH Equity will help you understand what thematic investing is, why it is gaining traction among PE firms, why you should care and what it could mean for your firm.
Published 09/20/24
Join us for an insightful session that explores the strategic considerations and benefits of scaling through a portfolio of firms versus scaling a single firm. This session will provide a comprehensive analysis of both approaches, helping you determine the best path to sustainable growth and market dominance. We will delve into strategies for managing risk, allocating resources, and driving innovation across multiple firms compared to focusing on a single entity. The session will provide...
Published 09/13/24
In this session we will explore the journey of converting a non-recurring revenue business into a sustainable recurring revenue model. Brick Thompson, CEO of Blue Margin will share the challenges he faced, the steps taken to implement change, and the benefits realized from establishing a steady, predictable income stream. This session is perfect founders looking to stabilize and grow their revenue.
Published 09/06/24
Join Jamie Shanks, Founder & CEO at Get Levrg, for an enlightening session on the current trends with offshoring and nearshoring. We will explore which regions are trending for which skillsets and cost differences between regions. We will delve into how to leverage offshore talent for both back office and front office work. Discover the numerous benefits of offshoring, including cost savings, access to a global talent pool, and increased operational efficiency. 
Published 08/30/24
In this session, John Arnott, CEO at C1M, will share how AI can revolutionize your business strategy and significantly increase profits. We will explore the transformative power of AI, demonstrating how it can streamline operations, enhance innovation, and drive measurable financial results across various aspects of your business. Join this session to gain a solid understanding of AI technologies and their applications in optimizing processes, improving decision-making, and boosting overall...
Published 08/23/24
Join this session to learn what an expert network is and how it can be a game-changer for your firm. Member Thom McLeod, Founder and Managing Partner at Tenzing Consulting will share with members the myriad ways an expert network can accelerate growth, enhance client offerings, and foster innovation within your firm. We will explore how to identify opportunities to leverage expert knowledge to create value-added services and differentiate your firm in a competitive market. 
Published 08/16/24
Join John Sherk as he shares a compelling story of navigating leadership transitions in a boutique business. Over the course of a decade, John mentored a young founder who, at 33, has built a remarkable company but struggles with the challenges of scaling up. Now, at 55, John has stepped into the role of interim COO, not only to guide the company's growth but to develop the next generation of leadership. John will discuss how he's strategically planning for a 5 to 10-year transition,...
Published 08/09/24
Join this session to hear the remarkable journey of how member Tim Foster achieved a successful exit in just three years, compared to the industry norm of 15 years. Discover the innovative strategies and key decisions that enabled Tim's firm to fast-track its growth and gain valuable insights from the lessons learned from the exit process. Tim will also share what he would do differently next time and provide practical advice and actionable tips for founders who are contemplating an exit....
Published 08/02/24
In this session we explore the remarkable journey of a consulting firm that expanded from a small team of 12 to a robust organization of 250 employees over 14 years. Discover the strategic decisions, leadership principles, and innovative practices that fueled their growth and led to a successful exit. Join us as we delve into the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and the key factors behind their impressive transformation.
Published 07/26/24
Join us for an enlightening session where Jamie Wasserman, Leader at Geigsen, will share the inspiring story behind her decision to write a book. Gain insights into the thought process and motivations that led to the creation of the initial manuscript. We will explore the decision to hire a publishing partner rather than opting for self-publishing, and the factors that influenced the choice of publisher. Join this session to learn from an author’s firsthand experience and gather valuable tips...
Published 07/19/24
In this session we will delve into the fascinating story of transforming a lifestyle firm into a thriving boutique business. Miles Kailburn, Founder and CEO of OTM will share how and when the decision was made to shift from a freelancer model to a true boutique, to today’s efforts to scale the firm. Discover the challenges, strategies, and lessons learned along the way, and gain valuable insights for your own business transformation.
Published 07/12/24
In this session, we dive into the incredible journey of a consulting firm founder who found a pivotal ally in their number two. Join Brian Albers, COO at Data Clymer, and discover how his dynamic partnership with his founder drove the company’s growth, navigated the scaling challenges, and ultimately led to a successful exit. Through candid conversations and valuable insights, we explore the essential role of a strong second-in-command in transforming vision into reality.
Published 06/28/24
In this session, we explore what to do when the rosy forecast does not materialize, and you need to restructure your firm. This includes how to determine who to layoff, when to lay them off, how to do so in the proper way, how to support the now former employees during the transition and how to preserve the culture and keep morale up with the remaining employees.
Published 06/21/24
Join us as we delve into the gripping tale of a marketing agency's journey through the tumultuous waves of cancel culture. In the height of societal pressure, the agency's founders, driven by fear and uncertainty, offered their employees overly generous contracts. As the dust settled, they realized the unsustainable nature of their decisions and faced the daunting task of restructuring their workforce agreements. Tune in to discover how Ryan Gill and Chris Kneeland, Partners at Cult...
Published 06/14/24
In this session, we delve into the strategic journey of an accounting firm that has mastered the art of scaling by franchising its proven system. Collective 54 Member Matthew Peterson, Owner at True North Accounting, will share how they've transformed their business model to offer franchise opportunities that empower other entrepreneurs to build their own successful accounting firms. We explore the benefits and challenges of this approach, the critical components of their franchise system,...
Published 06/07/24
In this session, we delve into the strategic approach of leveraging an anchor account to establish and grow a small service firm. Exploring the real-world example of how an IT Service firm was built with MetLife as the anchor account, we uncover the keys to success in building a thriving business around a single, foundational client. From cultivating strong relationships to diversifying services and expanding clientele, our discussion with Collective 54 Member Michael Gibbs, Founder & CEO...
Published 05/31/24