In this episode of Breaking Biz Dev, John and Mark take the Rainmaker model out to the alley for a well-deserved beatdown, highlight three (really) bad reasons to hire a rainmaker. In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What is a ‘Rainmaker’ anyway?
• Various ways firms organize their sales functions
• How buyers evaluate professional services firms
• Really bad reason #1 - you don’t know how to sell
• Really bad reason #2 - you need a deal closer
• Really bad reason #3 - you want to grow faster

Read Mark’s full blog post: https://www.wainwrightinsight.com/3-really-bad-reasons-to-hire-a-rainmaker/

Show notes:

• Inside the Buyer’s Brain Executive Summary: https://hingemarketing.com/library/article/inside-the-buyers-brain-fourth-edition-executive-summary
• SMPS + Stambaugh Ness Report: AEC BD 2024 Report: https://www.stambaughness.com/publication/aec-bd-building-business-development-success-report/

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

Proper planning prevents poor performance. Say that 10 times fast.

In this episode, John and Mark break down the elements of an effective sales call plan, sharing insights from real-world experiences and highlighting the importance in driving better business outcomes. They walk through the crucial elements that make up an effective call plan and emphasize the significance of preparation, especially for those new to sales conversations. In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• The components of a sales call plan and why planning prevents poor performance.
• How setting a clear objective for the call enhances focus and direction.
• The role of thorough research in understanding client needs and anticipating questions.
• Why a concise agenda keeps the conversation aligned and productive.
• The art of telling a compelling client success story

Read the blog post from Mark and download the Sales Call Planning template: https://www.wainwrightinsight.com/creating-a-sales-call-plan/

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

Send us your feedback in this 3-min survey and help shape the future of Breaking BizDev.

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In this short bonus episode, John and Mark share some early feedback from the listener survey, and how you can participate and help steer the conversation. 

Take the survey as you listen to the episode. Why not?

Share your feedback here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

Turn your firm into a trusted and respected leader in your niche.

In this episode, John and Mark explore how firms can not only effectively differentiate against competitors, but actually how to apply that differentiation in their marketing and sales activities. In this conversation, we cover:

• The nuanced differences between focus, specialization, and positioning
• Reasons why firms should embrace specialization
• How to identify the right area of specialization
• How to align your specialization with long-term goals for sustained success

Real-world examples of firms with focus, specialization and excellent positioning:

• TBSP (tablespoon) — accounting solutions specifically for restaurants: https://tbsp.com/
• Driving Transactions — M&A advisory services specifically for chauffeured transportation companies: https://www.drivingtransactions.com/
• Jaffe Holden — acoustic design services for Performing Arts, Educational and Cultural Spaces Worldwide: https://www.jaffeholden.com/
• Lloyd Sports + Engineering — Lloyd Sports + Engineering has focused on the planning, design and construction of sports facilities since coining the term “sports engineering” in 1987: https://www.lloydengineers.com/
• Friedman Tax — accounting services specifically for tattoo parlors: https://friedmantax.com/

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

“We’re in a bad economy…”
“We’re experts. We’re never wrong…”
“We’re up against tough competition…”
"Our point of contact was a jerk..."

…but what if it’s not them? What if it’s you?

In this episode, John and Mark dissect what it truly means to be accountable when you lose a prospective client. We dig into the obstacles that professionals encounter when owning up to losses and present actionable strategies to transform setbacks into stepping stones for growth. 

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why do we default to the ‘blame game’ ?
• The role of firm culture in nurturing or stifling accountability
• Why losing is a pivotal opportunity for growth
• Strategies for effective internal reflection and owning outcomes
• How mindset, preparation, and continuous learning can help you overcome setbacks.

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

Imagine you could fast-forward your firm's growth and watch it like a time-lapse video going through different stages:

• Solo 
• Small 
• Mid-size 
• Enterprise

What needs to happen in your sales and marketing functions to achieve growth at each stage? How do sales and marketing challenges evolve?

That's what this episode is all about. 

Listen as John and Mark guide you through this sales and marketing maturation journey, along with guest appearances from Reuben Swartz and Mel Lester. We explore topics like:

• The importance of documentation, processes and systems (at every stage)
• How to keep the entrepreneurial flame lit as firms grow
• Why rainmakers don't scale, and how to leverage a seller-doer model
• What firms typically do when the referral well runs dry
• The role of automation and efficiency at larger firms

Show notes:

• According to the 2024 census, 60% of businesses in the US are one-person businesses. (source)
  Of businesses with employees, 50% have only 1-4 FTEs. (source)
• SPI Professional Services Maturity Model: https://spiresearch.com/ps-maturity-model/

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

Discover the art of being utterly indistinguishable from your competition.

In this episode, John and Mark dive into the art of blending in, unveiling the tongue-in-cheek strategies to completely lose your edge and suck at differentiation. Listeners will learn how to avoid standing out, ensuring a legacy of mediocrity. 

Join us for a humorous—yet insightful—look at what not to do, ensuring you grasp the full spectrum of effective (and ineffective) differentiation strategies.

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

When you think of the word ‘salesperson,’ what comes to mind?

In this episode, John and Mark explore how professionals can shed ineffective sales habits and adopt a more authentic, client-centric mindset based on inquiry and curiosity. With guest insights from Mel Lester and Blair Enns, you'll learn why introspection and a shift from selling to serving can lead to more satisfying and successful client relationships. In this conversation, we cover:

• The pitfalls of adopting a stereotypical 'salesperson' persona and why authenticity matters.
• Practical tips for improving self-awareness and identifying bad sales habits.
• Examples of how using servant leadership with clients can lead to better business outcomes.
• Lessons on tactical empathy and how open-minded conversations can extract real value in sales.

Connect with our guests on LinkedIn:
• Mel Lester: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mellester/
• Blair Enns: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairenns/

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

It's easy to get caught up working too much *in* the business and not enough *on* it. If you're feeling similar these days, bookmark this episode and hear the breakdown of the four activities you might have overlooked as the calendars turned:

• Talk to your clients
• Optimize your client portfolio
• Update service packaging and pricing
• Create a talent management & development plan

Improve your sales and marketing game this year. 

Subscribe today!

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7

Align yourself with other consultants in-orbit around your clients to deliver more value.

Strategic partnerships can transform the way your business grows, turning the equation 1 plus 1 into something much greater. In this episode, John and Mark uncover the value and opportunities hidden within strategic partnerships for professional services firms. They explore how combining resources with the right partners can enhance client services and gain a competitive edge. We also have a guest appearance by Julie Geller, Principal Research Director at Info-Tech Research Group, who speaks to how tech companies evaluate consultants as potential partners.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How we define strategic partners
• How to add value with other consultants in orbit around your clients
• Examples of different kinds of partnership types
• Who you should target
• Perspective from Julie Geller on how software companies evaluate potential partners

Connect with Julie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliegeller/

Share your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7