Dear reader, 

It seems that I sent the last newsletter with an incorrect link to my latest article (thank you to one of the readers for pointing it out).

Please find below my newsletter with the updated link

Luk

Luk’s Bi-Weekly 'Think Piece' For Consultancy Owners

EDITION #109

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Dear reader, 

Here comes the 109th edition of my newsletter. 

In my new article in this edition, I discuss whether to say yes to a non-fit consulting project requests.

While, in general, I advocate against taking on non-fit projects, there are instances when it is a good idea – in fact, under the right circumstances, doing so can come with significant long-term gains.

As always, I hope to create a bubble of calmness with my bi-weekly ‘think piece’, a place of stillness in the face of everyday stress—a chance to reflect on what really matters in your consulting work.

Enjoy reading, 

Luk

MY NEW ARTICLE

Saying Yes to Non-Fit Projects with Existing Consulting Clients: Risks and Rewards

My stance on running a boutique consulting business is very clear: Establish a narrow focus, develop a very specific value proposition for a narrowly defined target audience, create a signature methodology, repeat it multiple times, and say no to all other non-fit projects.  

However, I would be remiss in making no room for exceptions. I’ve been there myself, and it was always a difficult moment from a decision-making point of view.   

I discuss the nuances of determining whether to accept non-fit project requests from existing clients in this article.

READ MY NEW ARTICLE

MY RECENT ARTICLES

NARROW FOCUS

Why Repetition Is the Path to Becoming a High-Performance Consultancy

REPUTATIONAL FOOTPRINT

9 Ways to Assess a Boutique Consultancy’s Expertise Reputation

STRATEGY

Why Every Boutique Consultancy Needs a Well-Defined Signature Methodology

PERFORMANCE

Defining The High-Performing Boutique Consultancy

MY LINKEDIN POSTS

CLIENT MANAGEMENT

Stability in a consultancy comes from retaining and developing existing clients over an extended period in a programmatic way.

STRATEGY

I had a surprising call with a (very) tired consulting leader. 

STRATEGY

I always get this question: what is the key to success in a boutique consultancy?

MANAGING A CONSULTANCY

Almost nobody is talking about developing existing consulting clients! 

VALUE PROPOSITION

Apparently, the demand for talent has rebounded more quickly than many anticipated. 

MY BITE-SIZED ADVICE

In this section, I recap the pieces of advice and inspiration I share with my followers on LinkedIn every Monday – all learned or observed throughout my personal journey as a consultant.

Follow #consultingmonday on LinkedIn to never miss a dose of inspiration at the start of the week.

CONSULTING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Are you immune to repetition?  

A narrow expertise focus in a boutique consultancy may initially be tedious but, through repetition, becomes more exciting over time. People start inviting the consultancy—the experts, the industry leaders who know (almost) everything, have the most compelling data and trend analysis, can spot intriguing patterns, explain fascinating methodologies and solutions, reduce the variability of outcomes, get admired for thought-provoking ideas, and ultimately don't need to sell or convince anymore.  

"Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment." — Zig Ziglar. 

CONSULTING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

'The backwards law' applied to consulting.  

Philosopher Alan Watts called it ‘The Backwards Law’: the more we pursue feeling better all the time, the less satisfied we become. This paradox is alive in consulting, where chasing more services often leads to dissatisfaction. The relentless drive for service expansion can dilute a consultancy's focus and impact. True success in a boutique consultancy lies in mastering what it does best, ultimately becoming ‘The Reference’. Sometimes, less is more—fewer services, more meaning.

HERE'S HOW I HELP CONSULTANCIES

If you knew a way to become a high-performing consultancy, would you adopt it?

Stupid question, I guess.

My High-Performing Consultancy Review provides a 360-degree evaluation of challenges such as:

- market positioning and target audience definition;

- visibility and reputation in the market;

- new client acquisition;

- existing client development and retention;

- pipeline management and revenue predictability;

- expertise differentiation;

- non-linear scaling/growing;

- business performance measurement (financial & consulting KPI's);

- key player attraction and retention.

You'll receive a detailed report of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and areas for improvement, along with quick wins and actionable insights to help unlock your consultancy's full potential.

Don't settle for mediocrity. Book your High-Performing Consultancy Review today and take the first step towards a brighter future for your boutique consultancy. 

Here's a detailed article explaining the Consultancy Performance Review. 

PS. My ideal clients: founder-led boutique consultancies with revenue between 2M and +/- 20M and/or between 20 and +/- 100 consultants. 

BOOK A CALL →

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