Defining your core values is more than a branding exercise—it’s a strategic discipline that shapes your company’s DNA. For professional services firms, where people are the product, clear and meaningful core values can boost employee engagement, operational excellence, and profitability.
Hiring an investment banker isn’t something a person does every day. Statistically, most entrepreneurs sell only one business in their lifetime, often using the proceeds to retire or pursue new opportunities. For Collective 54 members, hiring an investment banker might be associated with the culmination of a 15-year project.
I’ve always loved building relationships. It’s something that came naturally and felt second nature, so much so that I didn’t fully appreciate its value until I started a boutique consulting firm in 2011. Over time, I realized that relationships weren’t just an incidental part of our work—they were at the very core of our growth and success.
In the competitive world of professional services, standing out often feels like shouting into a void—or a crowded networking event where everyone’s handing out business cards. But there’s a better way to establish authority and generate qualified leads: authoring a niche-specific book and selling it on Amazon. This isn’t just a way to flaunt your expertise—it’s a powerful lead generation tool. By combining it with Amazon’s Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, your book can become a magnet for potential clients, positioning you as a go-to expert while expanding your reach far beyond your usual circles.
I’ve spent the last decade building my consulting firm, growing it steadily into a seven-figure operation. We serve a challenging market, partnering with nonprofits, foundations, and governments to eliminate generational poverty and uplift Black, brown, and low-income communities across the United States. While the work has always been meaningful, profitable even, it has also come with its fair share of stress.
Once upon a time, there was a founder named Alex. He had a vision, a dream to build something extraordinary, a next generation marketing agency. With passion, creativity and determination, he launched his own marketing agency, eager to make his mark on the world
When we founded Tenzing, we set out to build a firm grounded in our personal values. This included, among other things, partnering and collaborating with like-minded Experts, Operators, and Practitioners. Reflecting on this journey, one factor that has remained constant over the past twenty-two years is the importance of expanding and nurturing our network. What began as a way to source Experts to staff projects, has evolved into one of the most effective methods for meeting potential clients. In this blog post, we will share some of the personal lessons we’ve learned about how to enhance your network while simultaneously boosting client acquisition.
IAs founders of boutique professional service firms, you understand the delicate balance between providing exceptional service and maintaining profitability. In an industry where client satisfaction is paramount, it’s natural to want to go above and beyond to meet every client’s expectation. However, there comes a time when over-servicing can have detrimental effects on your firm’s bottom line. In this article, we’ll explore when to over-serve a client and when not to, with a focus on profitability and client relationships
Dear Collective 54 Subscribers, In the dynamic world of small service firms, where scaling is the ultimate goal, it’s essential to know what business you’re truly in. Are you the “Sage on the Stage,” orchestrating a multitude of employees to provide assistance, or are you the “Guide on the Side,” offering unique wisdom and advice to your clients? Understanding your place in the wisdom industry can be the key to unlocking your firm’s true potential.
For founders of small service firms, the world of business is filled with opportunities and challenges. As the leader of your firm, you understand the importance of landing new clients and making a lasting impression. However, convincing potential clients to take the leap and choose your services can often be an uphill battle. That’s where Collective 54’s Mastermind Group comes in, offering a solution that can set you apart from the competition: the New Client Orientation Document.
