Category: Life as a Consultant

1. Securing Your Future in HR Consulting by Mastering the Art of a Sales-Driven Approach

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 21st Jan 2024

   As an HR Consultant and business owner with three decades of experience, I have witnessed first-hand the evolution of the HR consulting landscape. One aspect that remains crucial, yet often overlooked, is the importance of a consistent sales pipeline. This article aims to shed light on why prioritising sales is vital for HR consultants, especially those venturing into this dynamic field.

   Why Focus on Sales?

   Sales are the lifeblood of any consulting business. Without a steady stream of clients, even the most skilled HR consultant risks stagnancy. In the realm of HR consulting, where competition is fierce and client needs are ever evolving, a robust sales strategy is not just a growth tool, it's a survival mechanism.

   Ignoring the sales aspects of your business can lead to several challenges, and moreover, put your business at serious risk.

   The number one has to be the obvious…Financial Instability!

   Without a predictable inflow of new clients and projects, financial instability becomes a significant risk to your entire business operation.

   The next isclient diversification challenges. Relying on a few clients can be precarious. A diverse clientele, garnered through consistent sales efforts, ensures stability.

   Then there’sreduced market relevance. Your inability to attract new clients may signal outdated practices or lack of innovation in your approach.

   And, what about if you are just starting out on your HR Consulting Journey? What are the pitfalls in starting an HR consulting business without a sales plan?

   Embarking on an HR consulting journey without a sales plan is akin to sailing without a compass. I see it often. HR professionals, making the brave leap into consultancy, with excitement and expectation for a bright consulting future and they completely ignore the development of a sales strategy.

   So many new consultants underestimate the competitiveness of the market and overestimate the ease of acquiring clients. They have inadequate client engagement capability and fail to engage effectively with potential clients, missing out on opportunities to demonstrate value. Plus, the misallocate resource which impacts growth and profitability.

   A well-defined sales strategy and plan from the outset will help avoid these pitfalls.

   So, how do you build a robust sales pipeline?

   Here are 6 suggestions which have helped me and my HR Consulting mentees over the years.

   Networking and Relationship Building

    

   1. Leverage professional networks like LinkedIn -consistently.
   2. Attend industry events and workshops to connect with potential clients and peers.
   3. Foster relationships with existing clients for referrals.

    

   Establish a Strong Online Presence

    

   • Develop a professional website showcasing expertise and testimonials.
   • Engage on social media platforms by sharing insights and joining relevant discussions.
   • Utilise content marketing to establish thought leadership.

    

   Remember, this doesn’t happen overnight. It takes dedication and consistency!

   Offer Tailored Solutions

    

   • Understand client-specific challenges and tailor your services to meet these needs.
   • Showcase success stories and case studies to illustrate your impact.

    

   Find Collaborations and Partnerships

   • Collaborate with complementary service providers to expand reach.
   • Consider partnerships with organisations or agencies that can refer clients.

    

   Continuous Learning and Adaptation

    

   • Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging HR challenges.
   • Adapt your services to meet the evolving needs of the market.

    

   Get Sales Focussed and Enhance Your Skills

   Actively seek out a sales mentoring programme that aligns with the unique challenges of the HR industry. These programmes can offer personalised guidance, practical sales techniques, and an understanding of the nuanced art of selling HR Consulting services.

   It just so happens that I have a brand-new programme which does this. It’s called the90 Day Client Accelerator programme.

   On this virtual group mentoring programme you will:

    

   • Learn effective strategies for prospecting, networking, and converting leads into paying clients.
   • Boost your confidence and expertise, so that you can stand out and showcase your value.
   • Develop a system for generating a steady stream of leads and keeping that sales pipeline nice and healthy.

    As HR consultants, we must cultivate a growth mindset where sales are not just a necessity but an integral part of our service offering. By building and maintaining a consistent sales pipeline, we ensure not only our survival but our ability to thrive and make a meaningful impact in the world of human resources.

   Onwards and Upwards!

   Sarah

2. Reflections from Zanzibar: The value of giving and taking opportunities

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 22nd Dec 2022

   I recently spent a week in Zanzibar, an African island in the Indian Ocean, just off the coast of Tanzania. It was my first time visiting and, though I’d love to holiday there another time, this trip was worth so much more than that. 

   I was invited to deliver a development session as part of the International Association of Women in Radio & Television (IAWRT) 39th biennial conference. My session was presented to over 40 journalists and presenters - from 20 different countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone, India, the Philippines, Norway, the USA, and more - about how to leverage their LinkedIn profiles to build authority. 

   To read more about Zanzibar click here ⬇️

   (99+) Reflections from Zanzibar: The value of giving and taking opportunities | LinkedIn

3. 7 ways coaching will help your career

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 13th Jul 2022

   Everyone’s at it! From your favourite sports star, award-winning actress, to your favourite soap star or most-listened-to musician. In fact I'd take a bet that your former boss and the business leaders you most admire are all doing it too!

   Doing what?
   I'd take a bet that they are all having coaching or mentoring sessions, to improve their game, whatever their game is. 

   As leaders in their fields, they know they need to stay ahead of the crowd. Coaching helps them do this, and it will help you do the same! 

   In this blog I share with you my 7 ways in which coaching will help your career and much more: 

4. Making the moves that count post-redundancy

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 22nd Mar 2021

   Redundancy is hard. There’s no two ways about it. But what you do - or don’t do - after it can make all the difference to your future.

   I’ve written before that a redundancy ‘signals a chance to assess your lifestyle’. It’s a time for you to really think hard about what you want next from your career, and how you’re going to make that happen. 

5. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 17th Sep 2020

   

   As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic fallout, the number of UK redundancies this year is estimated at 134,000 so far, though many more positions are expected to head that way over the coming months, too.

    If you’ve been made redundant during 2020, you’re not alone.

    But you’re probably wondering - what next?

    Sadly, at a time of increased redundancy, employment opportunities are fewer.

    Times like this are made from a cruel mix of less full-time employment positions available, and many more people scrambling to win them. Not a position any jobseeker wishes to find themselves in.

    I know this all sounds bleak, but bear with me because there is a solution to your problems.

    As the saying goes; ‘when life gives you lemons, make lemonade’.

   For those willing to step outside of their comfort zone, there are a lot of opportunities available.

   Though many full-time jobs no longer exist, it doesn’t mean that the requirements of those jobs have disappeared altogether.

   It’s common that companies no longer need someone for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week but that they instead need someone to step in and take care of a few of the former-role responsibilities.

    Enter: Consultants.

    A consultant’s role is increasingly important during times like this, and companies are clambering over each other to find the right person.

   That person could be you in as little as 6 weeks’ time if you take the right, and relevant, steps today.

   My 6 week fast-track bootcamp will have you ready to work as an HR Consultant in just 6 weeks. We work through everything from company set up through to how to find clients in just 6 short weeks. The course is intense, at times, but it will get you where you need to be.

   I know, taking the Leap into Consulting™ can seem intimidating. There is a lot to think about but my tried and tested method gets results.

   Think of it this way: in 6 weeks’ time, what are your chances of finding - and landing - your perfect new job?

    If you join my Bootcamp, alongside it’s other go-getter delegates, I’m sure you’ll find your chances are better than you ever could have hoped for.

    See you there? Book a call with me to chat through logistics. 

    

    

6. Do you want to earn more money while working from home?

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 27th Aug 2020

   

   Do you want to earn more money while working from home?

   You're not alone...

   I know what you’re thinking - it doesn't sound real. But I promise you it can be.

   In fact, I set out on this very journey 26 years ago and found I could make it happen much more easily than I had imagined. Since then, I have helped countless people do the same.

   The good news? You can do it too. The answer lies in consulting. Consultants often out-earn salaried workers within the first couple of years.

   The bad news? Making the Leap into Consulting™ can be a bit of a minefield. New consultants often find themselves lost for a few years; losing money while they try to figure out the business side of things, how to price themselves, or how to find clients.

   But, as it’s 2020 and I think we all need a little more good news in our lives, I’m here to tell you that becoming a consultant doesn’t have to take years to figure out. Many new consultants just need a helping hand and some robust advice to ensure the entire process happens much quicker.

   In fact, I can help you do it in just 6 weeks.

   My 6-week Fast Track HR Consultants Bootcamp focusses on a few specific steps you need to take in order to reach success. Many others have been through the Bootcamp and come out as successful owners of a consultancy business.

   Have a look at some of our recent 5 star reviews here.

   We focus on mindset, motivation and yes - money.

   Six weeks is all it takes to change your life. If you’re serious about making it happen, join us.

   Our next Bootcamp starts mid September - it's self paced with group coaching once a week.

   Find out more about the virtual bootcamp here.

   If you'd like a chat with me about how this might work for you just book a time in my diary, I'd love to help you become a consultant.