Pro Serv Podcast by Collective 54

Episode 184 - Leveraging Offshoring Amid Rising Domestic Labor Costs

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. 

Episode 183 - Leveraging AI to Increase Profits in a Pro Serv Firm

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 profitability.

Episode 182 - Leveraging an Expert Network

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. 

Episode 181 - Transitioning Leadership: A Founder's Journey from Coach to COO

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, preparing the company for an eventual exit while ensuring its current and future leaders are equipped to sustain success. Learn how this model of "mentorship in action" is filling crucial leadership gaps, aligning with long-term business goals, and creating a roadmap for both personal and organizational growth.

Episode 180 – Achieving a Successful Exit in Record Time

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. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from someone who has navigated the exit process successfully in record time.

Episode 179 – Scaling Success: How a Consulting Firm Grew from 12 to 250 Employees and Achieved a Triumphant Exit in 14 Years

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.

Episode 178 – From Idea to Publication: Navigating the Book Writing Journey

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 for your own writing and publishing journey.

Episode 177 – Accidentally Running a Firm: A Journey from Freelancer to Boutique Firm

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.

Episode 176 – From Sidekick to Success: How a Trusted Number Two Fueled a Consulting Firm's Growth and Exit

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.

Episode 175 – Best Practices For Handling Layoffs and Restructuring a Boutique Professional Service Firm

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.