Relationship-building is a fundamental aspect of running a business. So how does one go about it? In this episode, joining Michael Zipursky is Martin Stadelmeyer of AMBE Engineering, LLC . Having previous experience with companies like Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, Martin has the experience and the connection most people in the industry aspire to have. Today, he shares how he has managed to establish and maintain healthy business relationships throughout his career. Plus, he highlights the poten...
Nov 01, 2021•40 min•Ep. 210
Stories of executives who transition to consulting are not that uncommon. But how does one successfully venture out of corporate? Joining Michael Zipursky is Tom Tonkin . Tom is the co-founder of The Sales Conservatory and CEO of The Conservatory Group , a management consulting firm where you help businesses with their management, leadership, and sales. Today he shares how he went from a stable corporate job at Oracle to starting his consulting firm. In addition, he shares lessons he learned fro...
Oct 25, 2021•50 min•Ep. 209
Many business owners and entrepreneurs often can’t be bothered to put in a system. This is a mistake, David Jenyns believes, and in this episode, he discusses why you need to start systematizing your business. David is a systems devotee who went on to found systemHUB.com and started a movement called SYSTEMology . Today, he joins Michael Zipursky to discuss the benefits of systematizing and what you need to do to start the process. We get a look at David’s insights on systemization and the need ...
Oct 18, 2021•49 min•Ep. 208
Trust is the foundation of any relationship. This is exceptionally true when it comes to business. You need to establish trust within your team, clients, and customers to grow. So how do you build that trust? Sandra Sucher is a Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School and an internationally known researcher on trust. She recently co-authored The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It . In this episode, she joins host Michael Zipursky to share essential insi...
Oct 11, 2021•48 min•Ep. 207
When starting a consulting business, you should always look to build systems. Where most small businesses think that systems only exist in big companies, Joshua Schultz believes otherwise. In fact, he encourages small businesses to have a system mindset. Joshua is the Director of Data Services at Pacific Air Industries . He is also a contracted Supply Chain SME and consultant to SourceDay . In this episode, he joins Michael Zipursky to discuss how to scale your consulting business by using syste...
Oct 04, 2021•44 min•Ep. 206
What are strategic goals? How do they impact your business? What do you need to do to hit these goals? Our guest in this episode knows the answer to these questions and will gladly share it with everyone. Michael Zipursky sits down to interview the CEO of Outfield Leadership and author of The Self-Evolved Leader , Dave McKeown , about learning to set and achieve strategic goals as a consultant. Plus, Dave shares his insights on goal setting and leadership in large organizations. Tune in for more...
Sep 27, 2021•40 min•Ep. 205
Starting your own consulting business isn’t easy. You need a couple of key mindsets if you want to succeed. Danilo “Dan” Burgos is the President and CEO of Alphanova Consulting . He started his business by being a good and effective leader—a leader that empowers and supports his people. He also never took no for an answer and stepped out of his comfort zone several times. These are some of the mindsets you need to have if you want to start a business. Join Dan as he sits down with your host Mich...
Sep 20, 2021•47 min•Ep. 204
What do you think is the most important job of a leader? It's to eliminate fear from the workplace and fill it with love. Michael Zipursky's guest today is Renée Smith , the Founder and CEO at A Human Workplace. Renée talks with Michael about how we are at our best as human beings when cared for. When we know we belong, we matter, and we contribute, that's when we embody our full humanity. If you are passionate about being a loving, human-centered consultant, this episode's for you. Tune in and ...
Sep 13, 2021•45 min•Ep. 203
A business owner's success is typically measured by their revenue growth, the number of followers, and overall reputation. However, one important element is usually ignored: a proper work-life balance. Michael Zipursky delves into this topic with Michele Benton , President of lime, LLC . She explains how rejecting the devoted worker mindset allows her to adjust her career according to the lifestyle, not the other way around. She talks about its impact on her team-building strategies, leading to ...
Sep 06, 2021•43 min•Ep. 202
Having the right consulting team is critical to establishing a strong and stable organization and, ultimately, a successful business. Today’s guest is Mike Zani , CEO of The Predictive Index , a talent optimization platform that helps businesses build high-performing teams and cultures. He joins host Michael Zipursky to share the aspects of an individual he focuses on when choosing to hire. Mike emphasizes that industry experience may not always be the right move depending on the role you need t...
Aug 30, 2021•37 min•Ep. 201
Most business owners tend not to see the importance of establishing values. However, business values are the compass that ensures your organization aligns with whatever vision you have for the company. Joining Michael Zipursky in this special episode is his cousin and co-founder of Consulting Success , Sam Zipursky . Together, they share the values behind Consulting Success and break down how they developed the values they live by today. They also explain why it’s important for any business, big...
Aug 23, 2021•37 min•Ep. 200
With everything online, it's easy to be paranoid over privacy. It’s important to secure your business. You’ll never know if someone is watching you online. Maybe you opened a malicious email and you get hacked. Or a stranger who added you two weeks ago could just be using you for more information. Information and credentials are what they're really after. Hacking has become such an organized crime that cybersecurity is now a must for big companies. Learn how to protect yourself online with your ...
Aug 16, 2021•40 min•Ep. 199
What is the first step to building a creative consulting business? Learn how to find motivation within yourself. Michael Zipursky’s guest in this episode is Bobby Gillespie , founder and President of The PROPR Design. Bobby shares with Michael how people were questioning his move when he left his last job. Even his parents were unsure, even when they were proud of him! But he proceeded to build his own creative consulting business anyway. Through constant learning by exploring, doing, and making...
Aug 09, 2021•48 min•Ep. 198
Selling a physical product cannot be too far off from selling a service. Michael Zipursky realized this firsthand, piecing together techniques that will allow consultants to sell their services like they’re an actual physical product. In this brief yet packed bonus episode, Michael teaches you how to sell consulting services like lemonade. He takes us to a lemonade event that made him realize a couple of important points when it comes selling—from getting yourself out there to providing a premiu...
Aug 05, 2021•19 min
Building predictable systems for your consulting business is a must. When you follow the right systems, you’ll be blown away by the results. Michael Zipursky’s guest today is David Allara , the Managing Director of konnectus . David talks with Michael about how the first step should always be listening. You need to listen to your customers, peel back the layers, and understand what’s important to them. Avoid talking about anything technical, or you will lose their attention! Tune in and build pr...
Aug 02, 2021•43 min•Ep. 197
Strategic consultants help the company thrive and achieve marketing goals through identifying and analyzing business processes. That’s why this expertise is in demand in every business. Join Michael Zipursky and the Founder of Trusted Advisor Associates , Charles Green , as they delve into creating real and authentic conversations with real decision-makers and buyers. Starting with educational workshops to keynote speeches and coaching to being a trusted advisor, he discusses his professional jo...
Jul 26, 2021•39 min•Ep. 196
People in business are turned off by storytelling because they think it takes too much work. But storytelling is a very important tool to have so that you can build your audience. You don't have to be super personal in your story; you just need to humanize it. To help in building your story, join your host, Michael Zipursky and his guest, Janine Kurnoff . Janine is the Co-Founder of The Presentation Company . She helps companies translate their ideas into authentic, audience-centric business nar...
Jul 19, 2021•48 min•Ep. 195
Solo consultants often strike out on their own because they want more freedom and flexibility. That’s why they shy away from the idea of building a team. In this bonus episode, Michael Zipursky talks about how you’ll come to a point where your business grows so much you can’t handle it by yourself anymore. Try as you might, you’ll burn out with complete exhaustion. The solution? Build the right team! Listen to this episode to discover how! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Here’...
Jul 12, 2021•22 min
The consulting business is all about helping and empowering people. That’s why consulting mastery lies in one important thing: the desire to serve instead to sell. Michael Zipursky sits down with Rob Malec , President of Businessworks Consulting, Inc. , to discuss the roadmap he crafted and followed towards success. He talks about his journey from being a delivery man, to working for another company, to launching his very own business. Rob explains his concept of selling less and focusing on val...
Jul 05, 2021•51 min•Ep. 194
An anthropologist is someone who studies the aspects of humans in past and present societies. How do you combine that into business? Corporate anthropologist, Andi Simon , has the answer. Andi is the Founder and CEO of Simon Associates Management Consultants . She is also the author of Rethink: Smashing the Myths of Women in Business . In this episode, she joins Michael Zipursky to share why she decided to go to the corporate world and how she bridged anthropology and business together. Also, An...
Jun 28, 2021•41 min•Ep. 193
Have you ever wanted to work and live in an RV? Imagine exploring the world, meeting different people, and experiencing different cultures. You can do all of that and still work on your business from your RV. This is what Mark Treichel does for a living. After 33 years of hard work, Mark retired from the National Credit Union Administration. He bought an RV and decided that he wanted to explore the world while starting a consulting business. He is now the Founder of Mark Treichel, LLC . Join Mic...
Jun 21, 2021•41 min•Ep. 192
When we say side hustle, the word “hustle” in it is real. This is a story of how a side hustle grew into a full-blown, sought-after consulting business. Michael Zipursky’s guest today is Heather Younger , a keynote speaker, two-time author, and the CEO and Founder of Employee Fanatix . Heather believes that you have to be realistic about how much you can take in and what you can do when side-hustling. And part of making your goals happen is managing your mental and physical health. Discover more...
Jun 14, 2021•41 min•Ep. 191
Look at your calendar and cross out the things that you don't enjoy doing. You could do ten other things that you enjoy over one thing that you hate. It's all about choosing the energy. In today's episode, Michael Zipursky and his guest, Cy Wakeman , talk all about what it’s like to be a consultant and why positive energy is so important. Cy is the President and Founder of Reality-Based Leadership . She is also the New York Times Best Selling Author of several books such as Reality-Based Leaders...
Jun 07, 2021•41 min•Ep. 190
Genuine communication will always spell success for any consulting business. However, real connection with potential clients can only be achieved using the best storytelling tactics. Michael Zipursky sits down with The Story Leader Mike Adams to discuss his well-guarded secrets that fuel Anecdote , the world’s largest business storytelling company. He explains the right ingredients that make up a well-rounded story, ultimately building trust and closing deals. Mike also breaks down the most impo...
May 31, 2021•30 min•Ep. 189
Through everyday transactions whether online or in-store, making sales and selling to people is a concept that is familiar to a lot of us. However, from a business standpoint, it is a practice that consulting businesses should be well aware of. Michael Zipursky is joined by Chris Filipiak , a sales consultant and coach who runs his own consulting business helping agencies with sales function. Chris shares his personal journey of truly understanding what sales is and highlights the importance of ...
May 24, 2021•37 min•Ep. 188
Software Pricing Partners help you figure out how to price your intellectual property and your services. We have one such partner onboard today to help you figure out how to charge what you’re worth. Chris Mele is a software pricing strategist and a co-founder of CompanionCabinet Software. In this episode, Chris discusses with Michael Zipursky how getting yourself off of the cost basis for your pricing is super crucial. You need to focus instead on the value you’re giving. Do you want to know ho...
May 17, 2021•35 min•Ep. 187
Every business owner or entrepreneur is looking to achieve business growth but doesn’t know where to start. Perry Marshall , one of the most expensive business strategists in the world and well-known for his book, 80/20 Sales and Marketing , has come to talk with Michael Zipursky on growing a business through elimination. Perry explains the principles and ideas used in his books that have helped immensely in discovering the right path to success. He also shares the concept behind elimination and...
May 10, 2021•30 min•Ep. 186
Handling objections is one of the main areas one must face when delving into the world of consulting sales. Most of the time, this response is seen negatively, and many veer away from them as much as possible. Michael Zipursky disagrees. He explains the two essential steps in facing objections and how it must always be seen as a source of strength instead of a highlight of your weaknesses. He also emphasizes how these must be turned into an opportunity for growth and improvement, particularly wh...
May 06, 2021•11 min
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced that disruptions will come again and again in business. You can only either learn to live in it or get left behind. Nadya Zhexembayeva has chosen the former. In fact, as the Founder and Chief Reinvention Officer of the Reinvention Academy , she has led her consulting firm to a growth of around 500% during this pandemic. What are her secrets? In this episode, she joins Michael Zipursky to share how she helped with the firm’s reinvention as they look out for po...
May 03, 2021•34 min•Ep. 185
Sometimes, even when you put so much effort into trying to get in front of your ideal clients, you're still not getting great results. It doesn't always mean, however, that it’s a sign for you to abandon ship. Most often, what you need to do is ensure that you're looking at who's your ideal client and what’s the message. In today’s bonus episode, join Michael Zipursky as he shares his insights on when you should shift your focus around your ideal client or your offerings. Love the show? Subscrib...
Apr 29, 2021•9 min
