Consulting Mastery
Episodes
Our predictions for 2026
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I keep having the same conversation with consultants lately. Different industries, different experience levels, same story: "My network's not...
Who will win in 2026?
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our conversations with consultants this quarter, we've noticed something troubling: the majority are adopting what we call the "waiting po...
Stop getting cozy with your clients
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I can tell within five minutes of talking to a consultant whether they're building a business or just renting a job. If you've landed a few go...
Nice to have or must have
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You know the conversation. The prospect nods along, says your approach is "very interesting," mentions they'd love to do something like ...
The new age of referrals
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You're waiting for referrals that never come—checking your inbox, hoping a past client remembers you exist. Meanwhile, there's a massive net...
The volume game is a lie
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A consultant filled out my workshop intake form last week and wrote something that caught my attention: "I want to land clients without reaching ...
The case for status quo
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I keep having the same conversation with consultants: "My network is feeding me deals, so I'll fix my positioning when things slow down."...
The 4 pillars of ethical selling
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I can tell within our first conversation which consultants are operating with a mental model that will keep them stuck. If you've built your pract...
The meeting where deals go to die
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You just wrapped what felt like a perfect sales call—great chemistry, all questions answered, prospect seemed ready to move forward. Then they say &...
If I had to start over
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Starting a consulting business feels like you need everything perfect before you begin—the website, the positioning, the delivery system, the tech s...
Readiness is a lie
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm going to tell you something controversial: the most successful consultants I work with aren't the smartest ones. They're not the most ...
This is what great positioning is made of
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most consultants struggle to win clients because they focus on showcasing their expertise rather than understanding what prospects actually need. The ...
From cold to client
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cold outreach fails for most consultants because they skip steps. In this episode, Ahmed and Karie break down the 100-year-old AIDA model—Attention,...
Scale requires simplification
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think that working harder and being smarter was enough to scale my consulting business – but I was dead wrong. After watching countless br...
Selling to strangers
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I discovered something shocking after 12 years of coaching consultants - we're facing the most brutal economic environment for independent consult...
Is it time to get a job?
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been exactly where you are right now - staring at two divergent paths, paralyzed by the decision between building a consulting practice and t...
When consultants fall in love
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A client came to me recently with a challenge I see quite often with consultants. She's pursuing a market she's genuinely passionate about –...
Does experience matter?
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been watching consultants panic as seasoned C-suite executives flood the market, convinced they can't compete with decades of boardroom e...
Are you gatekeeping
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to guard my expertise like Fort Knox – terrified that sharing my best ideas would make me worthless and let competitors steal my secret sauce...
How to charge more
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think my age was holding me back from charging premium consulting fees – until I discovered the real truth about what drives pricing in ou...
How much can I make?
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think replacing my corporate income was a "smart" consulting goal—until I discovered this mindset was sabotaging my success befo...
The messy middle
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I was crushing it in my consulting business—tons of traction, busy schedule, opportunities everywhere—but then something weird happened that caugh...
Three stages of risk tolerance
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think playing it safe in my consulting business was smart – until I realized I was actually putting myself at greater risk by not taking a...
Two consultants walk into a bar
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been wrestling with the same dilemma that's plagued me for years - should I stick to solving one problem for my clients, or expand into other are...
Consulting value revolution
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been watching consultants panic about AI supposedly destroying our industry—and honestly, I was skeptical too until I started actually usin...
The leap of faith in consulting
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think consulting was all about logic and data – until I discovered the uncomfortable truth that's costing consultants millions in lost...
Pivot or persist
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I was scrolling through industry reports when I hit a wall of doom and gloom—biotech is supposedly crashing, consolidation is coming, and firms are ...
Self-imposed barriers to business growth
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think the biggest barriers to scaling my consulting business were the obvious ones - lack of expertise, weak marketing, or insufficient skil...
The defining entrepreneurial trait
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I used to think intelligence and connections were the ultimate predictors of entrepreneurial success—until I started tracking hundreds of our client...
Need kills sales
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I just watched an $80,000 marketing disaster unfold – and it perfectly explains why your consulting business isn't growing. Most consultants are...
BEST OF - Why your marketing tactics are failing
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most consultants panic about their empty pipeline and immediately start "fixing" everything at once - polishing their LinkedIn profile, hiri...
BEST OF - How to package your services
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of spending hours creating service packages that clients don't want to buy? I've seen countless consultants disappear into their caves t...
BEST OF - How to do customer research
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you struggling to validate your consulting offer while watching potential clients choose your competitors instead? I've been there - investing...
When to fire that client?
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of compromising your standards for the sake of a paycheck? In this episode, Ana Laskey shares her raw, unfiltered story of firing a clie...
What about those tariffs?
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you lying awake at night wondering how these new tariffs will impact your consulting business? You're not alone. In this timely episode, we tackle...
The anatomy of a deal
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of losing deals despite being the smartest person in the room? In this eye-opening episode, I reveal why expertise alone isn't enoug...
The expert's blind spot
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you drowning in expertise but still can't land clients? I've noticed a dangerous trend among consultants who obsess over proving their brilliance ...
10 positioning truths and a lie
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of competing on price and struggling to stand out in a crowded consulting market? I've been there too. Most consultants waste countl...
Are you the owner or the operator?
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you stuck running on the hamster wheel of your business instead of truly leading it to new heights? I see it all the time - consultants who techni...
Your business can't outgrow your identity
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why some consultants skyrocket to success while others stay stuck, despite having similar skills? I've seen it countless times – two equ...
Why your value proposition is failing
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you struggling to land new consulting clients in today's crowded market? I see it happening everywhere - what used to work even a year ago is ...
The generalist trap
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you falling into the "generalist trap" that's killing your consulting business? I see it every day - consultants trying to be everyt...
Cracking the cold market
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you struggling to convert cold prospects into paying clients? I used to believe that a few LinkedIn posts would have deals raining down on me—bu...
Content that actually works
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling to create content for your consulting business? I get it - staring at a blank page, wondering what to say, feeling pressure to become the n...
Who wins when the deal closes?
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you tired of celebrating sales wins that feel hollow? I used to think landing consulting deals was about the money and personal victory - until I ...
The myth of perfection
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a perfectionist who's paralyzed by the need to make everything "world-class" before launching? I've seen countless consultan...
Consultant's journey with Jim Taylor
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how a single consulting client could transform into a thriving multi-faceted business empire? Jim Taylor started with just one accidenta...
The power of the waitlist
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why that packed restaurant feels more appealing than the empty one next door? We'll tell you why - and more importantly, how this same...
Why your marketing tactics are failing
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We see it all the time - ambitious consultants diving straight into tactics, burning precious time and money on websites, LinkedIn profiles, and conte...
How to find your focus
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we break down the surprising reason why consultants keep falling short of their goals. Using principles from manufacturing and real-w...
2025 goalsetting guide
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
REPLAY - How to do customer research
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're not doing this right, your marketing will fail.
Consultant's journey with Jeff Francis
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does passion matter?
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Experts have strong opinions
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You already have strong opinions. They come out in client meetings. They show up in your best work. It's time to stop hiding them.
Your secret competition
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Consultant's journey with Emily Fabiano
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Underpromise and overdeliver is a terrible tactic
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Front-loading belief
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some sales conversations flow effortlessly while others feel like pushing a boulder uphill?
How to sell clients what they want
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Consultant's journey with Brent Bouldin
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What clients are really buying (hint: not your expertise)
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What's holding you back
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we delve into the core of what truly holds businesses back and offer a perspective that could revolutionize how entrepreneurs approac...
Snowflake syndrome
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, we dive into an intriguing phenomenon observed by seasoned consultants Ahmad and Karie: the "Snowflake Syndrome." This mindse...
Consultant's journey with Ben Levy
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ahmad interviews Ben Levy, owner of Sell It Great consultancy. They discuss Ben's journey from struggling presenter to sought-after expert, along with...
Getting off the roller coaster
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many consultants face a common challenge: the "revenue roller coaster." While consulting offers numerous benefits like freedom, interesting...
Who owns results?
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ahmad and Karie discuss the crucial question of who owns results in consulting engagements. They explore the balance between consult...
Reputational risk
08 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ahmad and Karie discuss the common concern among consultants about potential reputational risk when clients fail to implement recommendations. They ex...
Consultant's journey with Brian Hodge
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian discusses his solopreneur journey.
Making decisions in uncertain times
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How to make good decisions when things are not going the way you want them to?
The market's inconvenient truth
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had someone tell you a truth you just did not want to hear?
What is Marketing?
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the purpose of marketing? What constitutes marketing?
How to get in the side door of your client’s organization (Replay)
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a front door and a side door. Right now, you’re banging on the front door while the side door is wide open. Want more clients? Visit: ...
How to package your services? (Replay)
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How to create a clear and streamlined offering with less variability?
Consultant's journey with Mark Johnson
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scaling beyond the solo consultant
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
- Challenges of transitioning from solo to team-based consulting- When and how to make your first hires- Managing quality and consistency as you grow-...
Commercializing expertise
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is it that clients are actually buying?
What makes a good case study
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are case studies the magic bullet?
Consultant's journey with Kristen Mashburn
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ahmad interviews Kristen Mashburn who built a thriving and sustainable consultancy in Company Culture.
How to do customer research
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you're not doing this right, your marketing will fail.
Are your clients pulling their weight?
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if you gave your clients a report card?
Make more, work less
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you multiply your revenue within the time you are willing to invest?
Staying the course
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The subtle quality that gets tremendous results.
Consultant's journey with Jason Bryll
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ahmad interviews Jason Bryll of Parable Associates on his journey from solo-preneur to an 18 person solution shop.
Experts challenge beliefs
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have this trait?
What is your time worth?
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we insist on spending so much of our time and energy on things that don't matter?
Are your goals big enough?
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Should you aim high? Should you aim low?
Two types of clients
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who are you selling to and who do you want to be selling to?
Disqualify to qualify
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
And why you should actively turn clients away.
Do you have a marketing problem?
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you need to be the world's best marketer to be able to grow your B2B consulting business or can you get away with being good enough.
Right problem, wrong order
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you solving the right problem in the wrong order?
What do your clients really want?
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
and what are your clients really buying?
How to package your services?
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How to create a clear and streamlined offering with less variability?
Why do they buy?
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
And more specifically why do your buyers, buy from you?
What's holding you back?
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What are you doing wrong?
Hate your competition?
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you view your competition?
Would you invest in your own business?
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why, why not and what changes would you want to see in the business in order to justify your investment?
Are you really an expert?
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Expertise - What is it? Who needs it? Do you have enough? How to get more?
Is AI going to take your job?
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How should you think about AI in terms of your consulting business?
2024: The year of the consultant
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How 2024 will be the best year for consultants.