As consultants & strategists, it can be hard to stay at the top of your game, and top of mind with your clients. There’s always something new and flashy that can catch a client’s eye; programs, systems, platforms, or that “thing” that’s trending right now on social media that promises to magically solve all their problems.
Then they want to add just ONE more thing to the project, that you technically CAN do, and it would just be a SMALL addition to what you’ve already promised. Sound familiar?
Keeping up with the business ‘Joneses” is exhausting.
Delivering five-star service without getting overwhelmed by the avalanche of distractions and scope creep isn’t easy but it is possible.
Not that we shy away from challenges. It is part of the allure of starting your own business after all (or is it just me… Bueller?)
In addition to loving your challenging but rewarding work with clients, you also need the mental space and energy to grow your own business.
And maybe, *crosses her fingers*, keep a semblance of a family and social life too.
Whether a solopreneur or even with a small team, overseeing a client project is A LOT to manage!
However, is there a way to make it a “smidge” easier and take a few things off your already overflowing plate of “to-do’s”?
We often recommend that our clients outsource their weak spots. Yet, we often forget as consultants and strategists we can do the same!
Let that sink in. . .
If there is an element to your service that is CRITICAL to the transformation of your client but you don’t enjoy executing, find someone who does and LOCK ARMS.
Good collaborations will not only cover your weakness, but they’ll also bring additional value to the package that could be mutually beneficial and profitable.
There’s a new way to elevate your services without adding stress or to-dos.
“Collaboration is no longer just a strategy; it is the key to long-term business success and competitiveness.” – Bob Mudge, former CEO of Verizon Wireless.
Let’s break down the 3 reasons partnering with someone like a Data Consultant may be what you need to supercharge your client experience, extend your client lifecycle, and gain back precious time.
1. Manage conflicting priorities
Starting a project typically includes some sort of research phase or audit phase that requires collecting a lot of information from the client. Missing details or even BAD data could put a wrench in the works and may lead to an action plan that isn’t the best option for the client.
According to a survey by CoSchedule, 52% of marketing professionals said that managing their workload and prioritizing tasks is their biggest challenge.
It’s hard to prioritize tasks when you don’t know the overall business health assessment of the client. What they THINK is the issue and what is actually happening in their business may be two very different things.
With a custom dashboard, the data pulling, auditing, tracking, and reporting are all taken care of while you get to stay fully in your zone of genius.
Having insights into the entire business allows you to deliver a strategy that addresses their true pain points with surgical precision.
2. Stay in your Zone of Genius
Another challenge is finding the right balance between strategic planning and execution.
According to a survey by Smart Insights, 45% of marketers struggle with this balance.
More than likely, you are an expert in your field because you have years of hands-on experience which makes it a hard habit to break when trying to stay out of the day-to-day implementation.
The faster you can get your clients into action mode the faster you can get out of the daily grind and focus on supporting them in a way that helps them to develop the confidence to help themselves.
However, without your client taking the right actions your strategy may not reach its full potential.
“ A plan without action is not a plan. It’s just a speech.” – T Boone Pickens
Establishing key targets and benchmarks for clients and their teams creates an added layer of accountability.
Setting incremental target goals creates clarity ->
clarity inspires action ->
clients taking action will see the value in leaning into an expert in order to see the best results.
Now you’ve successfully positioned yourself as the coach who is there to support and guide Ted Lasso style.
3. Prove your ROI and increase your value
Speaking of big wins, it can be really difficult to quantify success for clients who aren’t already in the habit of tracking their results.
In a survey by HubSpot, 40% of marketers cited “proving the ROI of our marketing activities” as their biggest challenge.
Especially, if your service strategy is focused, you may be missing out on an opportunity to highlight the great results your hard work has helped to create and consequently, you are devaluing your service.
Clients who have integrated custom dashboards and a monthly reporting system that is tied to goals outlined in your strategy means you have an ongoing value generator that provides receipts month after month of the positive impact your service provided and continues to provide.
➣ No more second-guessing or negotiating your rates
➣ Confidently ask for referrals based on your proven track record
➣ Share testimonials with concrete data showcasing your results
Partnering with a data consultant can bring significant benefits to your consultancy business, including enhanced client experience, extended client lifecycle, and increased ROI.
By leveraging their expertise in data analysis and reporting, you can gain valuable insights into your clients’ businesses and deliver more effective strategies that drive better results.
All of these benefits can help you elevate your consultancy business, improve your reputation, and ultimately, increase your bottom line.
So, if you’re looking to take your consultancy services to the next level, consider partnering with a data consulting expert and unlock the full potential of your business.
