The warning signs are all around us. After a slow selling year “waiting to see what happens in November,” then the floodgates opening in December and January, then DOGE… and tariffs… Now everyone is freaking out. Referrals have slowed. You’re working harder than ever to keep clients on the verge of canceling to stay put and see this through. The…
STOP SENDING DEAD-END DMs: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MESSAGING THAT CONVERTS STRANGERS INTO CLIENTS Every prospect walks the same path before handing over their credit card: KNOW – “This person exists and might solve my problem” LIKE – “I enjoy how they think and communicate” TRUST – “I believe they’ll deliver what they promise” BUY – “Take my money now” Consulting…
In today’s competitive consulting landscape, one metric stands above others when it comes to ensuring sustainable growth and profitability: your utilization rate. This powerful indicator doesn’t just measure efficiency — it provides a window into your agency’s operational health and potential for scale. Understanding Utilization Rate: Your Profitability Compass At its core, the utilization rate represents the percentage of billable…
In our recent Quantum Leap Method Workshop, we explored the frameworks behind consulting agencies that continue to command premium fees despite today’s challenging market conditions. The insights revealed a clear distinction between agencies struggling with price pressure and those thriving with premium clients. The Market Reality No One’s Talking About Most consulting agencies are caught in what we identified as…
Now is your time to reclaim your freedom and say goodbye to being sucked back into the day-to-day. Now is your time to enjoy more stability in your business with a concrete plan in place to fund retirement. As consulting business leaders, we pour our hearts and souls into our companies. Years of missed family events, late nights away from…
In this insightful solo episode of Hands-Off CEO, Mandi Ellefson shares critical insights from her extensive experience working with thousands of consulting companies over the past 12 years. She reveals the four key strategies that distinguish thriving consulting firms from those struggling to scale. Drawing from real-world examples and case studies, Mandi breaks down how successful consultancies are adapting to…
You’ve built a successful consulting firm delivering exceptional results. Your expertise has earned you a strong reputation. But something’s holding you back from the next level of growth. The real challenge? Your business model isn’t designed for scale. So many agency CEOs find themselves trapped by their own success. They’re working harder than ever, yet profits remain stagnant. The problem…
Service business owners find themselves in a paradox – their expertise and dedication built thriving companies, yet that same hands-on approach now holds them back from reaching the next level. Working 60-80 hour weeks has become the norm for many consulting firm CEOs who feel perpetually stuck in delivery mode. The Hidden Cost of Being the “Super CEO” These CEOs…
Your consulting agency delivers remarkable results for clients. You’ve built a strong reputation through years of expertise and dedication. But now you’re at a crossroads – you know there’s potential for greater growth, yet expanding seems to require even more of your time and energy. The Growth Challenge Most agency owners are experiencing what we call the Capacity-Growth Trap™. They…
Want to know what separates average consulting agencies from those commanding premium fees? It’s not better systems, more staff, or fancier tools. It’s fundamentally reimagining how they deliver value. Let me show you what I mean through Philip’s story… When we first met Philip, he had what most would consider a successful engineering consulting firm. Revenue was steady at $600K,…
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