Collective 54

Chasing more leads isn’t the answer. Focusing on fewer, better ones is. Today's blog from David Ackert of PipelinePlus highlights: - 80% of new business comes from a short list of 9–35 relationships - Most deals are lost post-proposal—not pre-call - The real metric? Trust, not touchpoints How are you helping your teams prioritize what matters? #ProfessionalServices #SalesLeadership #Consulting https://lnkd.in/e4Z6tZYf

The best advisors don’t want to mentor you—they want to move the business forward. In today's blog Kimberly Kraemer, Founder & CEO of Waterhouse Brands, shares how she built an advisory board that: • Anchors on real strategy using EOS • Advises on team composition and succession • Gets visibility into financials, goals, and culture • Feels seen, heard—and valued Her biggest lesson: Advisors lean in when they see impact. Not progress? They’ll call you out. #foundercommunity #consultingstrategy #advisoryboard https://lnkd.in/ehSaxv2E

This week on the Pro Serv Podcast, Adam Blake, Co-Founder & CEO of Magna Technology Group, shares how his firm has scaled 52% year-over-year by combining offshoring with AI-powered delivery. In this episode: - The playbook for decoupling revenue growth from headcount - Using AI to replace repetitive delivery tasks - Why entry-level roles might be at risk—and how to prepare - Building SOPs that help junior talent punch above their weight This is a masterclass in profitable, scalable growth for boutique pro serve firms. #ProfessionalServices #ServiceDelivery #ArtificialIntelligence #ScalingSmart #Collective54 https://lnkd.in/gXCibbcZ

Most teams don’t fail because of talent—they fail because of timing. Dan Bernoske of Cortado Group shows why GTM agility is your most powerful lever during times of change. → How to re-evaluate personas → How to redefine your value prop → How to lead your team through uncertainty Packed with frameworks and real examples. A must-read for scaling firms. #ProfessionalServices #GTMStrategy #BusinessLeadership #FounderTips https://lnkd.in/g9QkyWK8

Every founder hits a fork in the road. Do you want to be rich? Or do you want to be king? In today’s blog, Jeff Klaumann shares 4 questions that reveal which path you’re really on—and what to do next if your decisions aren’t matching your goals. #ProfessionalServices #FounderJourney #BusinessGrowth https://lnkd.in/g7p_jbRD

What’s the best exit for a founder who wants to protect their people and preserve their legacy? Management Buyouts. In today’s blog, Greg Alexander shares: • The key structure behind a founder-led MBO • Why more firms are skipping PE and going internal • How to assess readiness, terms, and transition This isn’t the loudest path—but it’s often the smartest. #ServiceFirms #BoutiqueFirms #ManagementBuyout #ExitPlanning #Collective54 https://lnkd.in/gKF9K7iN

Big changes are underway in federal contracting—and Paul J. Karch is here to help you make sense of them. In today’s blog, he shares: • How contract cancellations are hitting small firms hardest • Why DEI elements may disappear from future awards • What’s coming next in Q3–Q4 funding cycles • A tactical case for GSA MAS Read the full analysis—and prepare your firm to pivot. #GovCon #GSA #GovernmentProcurement #ProfessionalServices #ScalingFirms https://lnkd.in/gKa-vHzR

On this week’s Pro Serv Podcast, employment law expert Todd Stanton breaks down what RCAs are, when to use them, and how they protect the very thing buyers are paying for. In this episode we cover: - The 4 types of restrictive covenants founders should know - How RCAs affect your valuation in a sale - What really happens when an employee violates one - When legal action is worth it—and when it’s not #ProfessionalServices #EmploymentLaw #RestrictedCovenants #Collective54 https://lnkd.in/gMjrdjxF

Today’s blog from John Arnott introduces a game-changing strategy: Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Firms leveraging AEO are: • Producing 5x more content without increasing budget • Increasing inbound traffic and engagement • Staying visible across both search and AI platforms This is how modern professional services firms scale smart. #DigitalStrategy #AEO #ProfessionalServicesMarketing https://lnkd.in/gPgtTKDE

Over-delivery feels like great service—but it rarely leads to scale. In today’s blog, Julie Rogers breaks down: • Why doing more can lead to scope creep, confusion, and missed growth • How simplifying your service offering creates repeatable success • 4 ways to streamline delivery—without sacrificing quality If your team is stretched or your clients are confused, this post will help. #ConsultingFirms #OperationalExcellence #Collective54 https://lnkd.in/gq6HJrHh