Here’s the truth: the consulting landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. The old playbook for building a successful firm is falling apart, and if you’re running a boutique consultancy, you’re right in the eye of the storm.
It was a journey… I spent 4 years working for a top 5 accounting firm in the UK before I set up on my own. So I started coaching/consulting with accounting and law firms, mostly around leadership stuff.
I was an early adopter of twitter and social media and I was one of the first in the UK to work out how to use this to generate new business. This then led to me being asked to write the Financial Times Guide To Business Networking. (They asked me, not the other way around)
Then overnight my work changed to helping knowledge win more business via their network.
After the FT Guide To Business Networking was published it became a business networking book bestseller which enabled me to pitch my second book - the one I really wanted to write - How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life. Which strengthened my credentials around where I thought I wanted to play - in the helping people make partner space.
This book then made me realise I had 2 brands - winning work via your network and how to make partner. So I crossed the gap and wrote the book The Go-To Expert (published by the Financial Times). Then with a few more twists and turns my niche settled into 2 niches:
Helping small accounting firms grow and scale
Helping professionals take the step up to partner and then establish themselves as a new partner.
I have the 10th anniversary edition of Poised for Partnership (4th book) almost ready to go. It’s laid out.
Then I have most of ‘Beyond You’ written which takes a small business from being 1 person to having a team.
I want to write the book Start Up To Grown Up as well. Which is about how to get your business from the toddler/teenager unpredictable stage to an adult business that scales.
But there are literally about 3-4 books buzzing around my head that will get written.
Peter I can’t tell you how helpful this guide is! Thank you so so much. Excited to leverage these tips
Kate - you just did. Thank you. I appreciate you
I launched a plan yesterday that gets q and a with me. May help if you’re going to implement. Check out the subscription page
Thanks! Will check it out :)
Great article with lots of valuable information. I’ve always favoured being the niche consultant and it has always worked for me.
Thanks heather! How did you find your specialism?
It was a journey… I spent 4 years working for a top 5 accounting firm in the UK before I set up on my own. So I started coaching/consulting with accounting and law firms, mostly around leadership stuff.
I was an early adopter of twitter and social media and I was one of the first in the UK to work out how to use this to generate new business. This then led to me being asked to write the Financial Times Guide To Business Networking. (They asked me, not the other way around)
Then overnight my work changed to helping knowledge win more business via their network.
After the FT Guide To Business Networking was published it became a business networking book bestseller which enabled me to pitch my second book - the one I really wanted to write - How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life. Which strengthened my credentials around where I thought I wanted to play - in the helping people make partner space.
This book then made me realise I had 2 brands - winning work via your network and how to make partner. So I crossed the gap and wrote the book The Go-To Expert (published by the Financial Times). Then with a few more twists and turns my niche settled into 2 niches:
Helping small accounting firms grow and scale
Helping professionals take the step up to partner and then establish themselves as a new partner.
Wow! What a journey and a story. What’s the next book?
I have the 10th anniversary edition of Poised for Partnership (4th book) almost ready to go. It’s laid out.
Then I have most of ‘Beyond You’ written which takes a small business from being 1 person to having a team.
I want to write the book Start Up To Grown Up as well. Which is about how to get your business from the toddler/teenager unpredictable stage to an adult business that scales.
But there are literally about 3-4 books buzzing around my head that will get written.