Luke Wade’s Post

Clients are winning more work with our 'critical friend' service. We have seen three examples of this recently and the client feedback speaks for itself.... "As an SME- we invested in the Critical friend service with Out of the Woods and its value has far outweighed the small investment we put in. We have tried it and can honestly say that it's so worth it! Another satisfied client shared positive feedback, emphasising the value of the critical friend review in their bid process. The review was described as 'reliable, well-explained, time-saving, and instrumental in elevating bid quality, leading to successful outcomes.' The benefits of utilising a "Critical Friend" service for bids, tenders, and awards within the industry. Firms have experienced success by leveraging this service, noting its efficiency in enhancing quality, saving time, and securing wins. Don’t be left behind! Contact me today! Want to learn more about our Critical Friend service- it's your secret weapon for success. For just a couple of hours a month, get an expert eye on your: -Tender submissions -Award entries -PR documentation -Day-to-day important documents -Gain industry accreditations and recognition  -Fill operational gaps to relieve stress  -Flexible support to fit your budget  Why settle for good when you can be great? Our Critical Friend service provides that extra level of assurance, helping you shine in every aspect of your business. Don't let opportunities slip by due to overlooked details. Let's chat about how this service can elevate your business to the next level. At Out of the Woods Consultancy, we understand the limitations of time faced by owners and founders. That's why we offer flexible, project-based resources tailored to meet your specific needs. 

Clients are winning more work with our 'critical friend' service. We have seen three examples of this recently and the client feedback speaks for itself.... "As an SME- we invested in the Critical friend service with Out of the Woods and its value has far outweighed the small investment we put in. We have tried it and can honestly say that it's so worth it! Another satisfied client shared positive feedback, emphasising the value of the critical friend review in their bid process. The review was described as 'reliable, well-explained, time-saving, and instrumental in elevating bid quality, leading to successful outcomes.' The benefits of utilising a "Critical Friend" service for bids, tenders, and awards within the industry. Firms have experienced success by leveraging this service, noting its efficiency in enhancing quality, saving time, and securing wins. Don’t be left behind! Contact me today! Want to learn more about our Critical Friend service- it's your secret weapon for success. For just a couple of hours a month, get an expert eye on your: -Tender submissions -Award entries -PR documentation -Day-to-day important documents -Gain industry accreditations and recognition  -Fill operational gaps to relieve stress  -Flexible support to fit your budget  Why settle for good when you can be great? Our Critical Friend service provides that extra level of assurance, helping you shine in every aspect of your business. Don't let opportunities slip by due to overlooked details. Let's chat about how this service can elevate your business to the next level. At Out of the Woods Consultancy, we understand the limitations of time faced by owners and founders. That's why we offer flexible, project-based resources tailored to meet your specific needs.

What is <<price sensitivity>>? And what should you do about it? My advice to professional and B2B services firms CEOs and Owners is this: "Market to buyers who will gladly pay for the life changing differences you deliver to them. Don't market tasks and inputs, market the outcomes, end point, or changes that will lead to a more fulfilling life." In other words, your firm does not have to accommodate "price sensitive" buyers. Price sensitive buyers: -Want the lowest price of everything -Pit companies against each other -Insist on negotiating -Demand a "deal" in order to buy -Expect bonuses These are buyers who put price above everything else. They will drag your company down. Too many professional and B2B services firms have fallen into the trap of bending over backwards to make these folks happy. What happens? The firm likely struggles with a large volume of clients that pay very little, meaning you have high expenses and low revenue. One advisor on LI recommends creating tiers of services. You would give the least amount of service and take the longest time to deliver to those who bought the lowest tier. I would not want to live like that, in constant battle with my clients! Whatever your profession or area of expertise (law, accounting, design, specialty consulting, training, coaching, fractional CXO, etc.) please do not ever fall into this trap of meeting "price senstive" buyers at their level. It's always LOSE-LOSE. When a CEO or Owner asks my advice, I tell them: --List all the ways your knowledge and expertise delivers IMPACTs to your clients. (there are many!) --Ask prospects to tell you how significant it would be to them to experience these IMPACTs. --Design three options, each with a different IMPACT, and for a price or fee proportional to the significance of that IMPACT. Think abundance and generosity! You and your client are on the same side. Deliver greater IMPACTs to fewer clients for higher fees. Never worry again about a price senstive prospect. If you're looking for an advisor to help you use your knowledge and expertise to deliver IMPACTs for higher fees, I may be the one for you.

🔔 Attention Work Comp Professionals 🔔 This is an experiment to start a community of work comp claims decision makers and claims vendors. The conferences are great but only a fraction of our industry actually attends these and even if you do, it’s difficult to make the rounds to see and chat with everyone. The goal here is to present and spotlight everyone out there and create a space that decision makers can jump on, search “copy service” (or whatever they are looking for) and see what the discussions are like, what the options are, and get to witness the expertise of the professionals going back and forth in that category. I’m not 100% sure Skool is the platform this will end up staying on, we might launch our own platform for the industry, but let’s test this out. The first 100 people to sign up will be FREE. Then we will start charging for access to keep this closed and filtered of non-serious crowds. Ultimately this will be be an app for claims professionals and claims vendors to communicate, offer samples of work, etc. and controlled by the decision makers. Ready Set…. GO

🎊 From Percentage/Split TO Fixed/Set Fee Contracting – the HOW TO 🎊 (2 x Video Trainings, Slides, Script & Rate Schedule) Usually: $1,500 +GST Today Only: 50% OFF to FIRST 10 Paying a Percentage (aka Split Fee) to your Contractors are so 2018 😉 If you are still paying percentages then you are doing a disservice to your practice, the contractor and our industry. Don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of having to explain to contractors that 60% at one practice does not equal 60% at another practice. Since moving to Fixed Rate Payments, our ability to snap up contractors to join our team, has significantly eased, whilst allowing my practice to move forward financially rather than consistently feeling like we are taking two steps forward and three steps back when apply percentage increases or increasing client fees. So, I’m going to make this paint by numbers simple for you by sharing with you the following: PART 1: WHY do it? This includes: 1. A 50-Minute Video Training on The Rationale Behind Moving from a Split/Percentage Fee to a Set/Fixed Fee. This also provides clarity on the Difference between Contracting and Service/Facilities Arrangements, whilst addressing the Pros & Cons of Percentage VS Fixed Rates. 2. Accompanying SLIDES. PART 2: HOW to do it? This includes: 1. A 90-Minute Video Training (with SLIDES) on the actual HOW of implementing Fixed Rates at your practice. This includes looking at: i. Offering it to NEW Contractors joining your practice ii. Offering it to CURRENT Contractors at your practice iii. Offering it to ASSESSING Contractors (those only doing assessments) 2. SLIDES to accompany the above training. 3. A word-for-word Meeting SCRIPT for when rolling out to Current Contractors. 4. An Excel SPREADSHEET for use in determining what Fixed Rate to Offer. 5. A Copy of my Charge Out SCHEDULE. Told you I’m making this paint-by-numbers simple 🙂 Whether you are ready to take this leap now or later, this is everything you need to know to get it done. 🎁 To claim your 50% discount, just email me at [email protected] with the word ‘FIXED’ in the Subject Line.

If the thought of pulling together a tender bid, leaves you feeling overwhelmed, here are some tips to help break it down. 🔽 https://lnkd.in/eNpwiKpc

What's your worth? Do you wonder how to price your consulting services so that you're not either leaving money on the table or scaring away potential clients? Finding the right price can feel like trying to pick the perfect avocado at the market – too hard, too soft, or just right? But don't worry, I'm here to help you find that ripe, delicious sweet spot for your consulting services. Before you even think about numbers, think about value. What unique skills, experience, and results do you offer? Are you a tech whiz who helps businesses streamline operations? A marketing guru who drives sales through the roof? Your pricing should reflect the tangible benefits you deliver. There are many pricing models out there: hourly, project-based, value-based, tiered, or retainer. Each has pros and cons. The right choice depends on your business, your clients, and what feels right for you. Don't forget the big picture: - Your Expertise: More experience often justifies higher rates. - Demand: If everyone wants your services, you might charge more. - Competition: What are others charging? - Client Budgets: Be realistic about what your clients can afford. Many of us undercharge, especially when starting. It's natural, but it can hurt your business in the long run. Remember, your time, knowledge, and skills are valuable. Don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth. But yet again, DON’T OVERDO IT! Just like undercharging can hurt you, so can overcharging. Research your market and competition to ensure you're in the right ballpark. I once met a language teacher in France who charged a mere $20 an hour. He had unique expertise in helping students prepare for the TOEFL exam, but he was afraid to raise his prices. We worked together to craft a value-based offer that highlighted his specialization. He doubled his prices and, to his surprise, his clients were more than happy to pay! Finding the perfect pricing strategy takes time and experimentation. Don't be afraid to try different models and see what works best for you and your clients. Ready to take the next step? This article will help you get a firm grip on the world of consulting pricing and find a strategy that works for you. Have a read here: https://lnkd.in/djJXDUGk #sales #pricing

A very thorough and insightful article on challenges professional services firms will face in the near term and tips to overcome them. Number one on the list? Customer acquisition and retention. Tip: "Professional services firms that are able to elevate themselves from being simple suppliers of labor or subject-matter experts into trusted advisers tend to do best at gaining the referrals and trust necessary to attract and retain customers who engage in lucrative multiyear contracts."

🚨 Financial Advisors: Are You the Gordon Ramsay of Your Practice? 🍽️💼 If you're a solo financial advisor, you're likely juggling a lot. You’re the chef, the head of operations, and the customer service team—all rolled into one. And much like Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen, the pressure is on to deliver excellence at every turn. But here’s the thing: Even Ramsay doesn’t cook alone. He has a team of skilled sous-chefs, operations experts, and a support staff who help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. 🧑🍳👨🍳 Similarly, as a solo financial advisor, you could try to do it all yourself, but it’s a huge challenge. The financial world is complex, and managing client portfolios, compliance, marketing, tech, and customer service all at once can lead to burnout or mistakes—just like trying to cook a Michelin-star meal without a team. Operational Support is Your Sous-Chef! 🍽️✨ Having the right operational support behind you is like having a well-trained team that lets you focus on what you do best—building relationships, providing sound advice, and growing your clients' wealth. Consider these parallels: 🔹 Efficiency: Just as Ramsay relies on his kitchen crew to prep ingredients and organize the workspace, operational support allows you to streamline your practice. Whether it’s client onboarding, billing, or tech setup, the right support minimizes friction, so you can focus on advising. 🔹 Accuracy: Every dish Ramsay creates requires precision. The same goes for financial advice. With solid operational support in place, you reduce the risk of errors—whether it’s data entry, compliance tracking, or portfolio management. 🔹 Scalability: Just like a restaurant, a financial advisory business has the potential to grow. But growth without proper systems in place leads to chaos. Operational support lets you scale while maintaining the quality and consistency your clients expect. 🔹 Time Management: Time is precious—whether it’s in the kitchen or your advisory practice. Operational help gives you the freedom to spend more time with clients and less time on administrative tasks. At the end of the day, you can be the Gordon Ramsay of financial advice, but you need your team to thrive. Building a strong support system isn’t just a luxury, it’s a key to long-term success. So, fellow advisors, what’s your “kitchen crew” look like? 🔧📈 And if you don't have a "kitchen crew", maybe BD Operations can be your sous-chef. Contact us to talk about food and operations [email protected] 402-598-3464 bdoperationsllc.com

Question for questionnaire professionals: when a customer asks you to complete their questionnaire hosted on a questionnaire platform, do you read through the terms and conditions before you create an account? I've previously been in the situation where the account creation process was throwing up some red flags, so I stopped and took a detailed read through the terms and conditions. I discovered that the platform was effectively looking to establish terms *with the organisation that I work for*, or to put it differently, *I would have been effectively binding my organisation to terms*. As I don't have the authority to do that, I halted the process and referred it to legal. Since then, I've come across a couple of others that were similar. What is the common practice here? There are so many questionnaire platforms out there, and for an organisation responding to a non-trivial amount of questionnaires, doing a full review of the terms and conditions of each would take up rather large amounts of organisational effort. And questionnaire platform vendors, what is your approach to terms and conditions with the different parties using your products? I would have thought that, if you're trying to provide the most value to your customers, that the people creating accounts in order to respond to questionnaires should be subjected to as little legal friction as possible.