The Unique Boutique Podcast

How do you take a consultancy from zero to £20m in just seven years? Marcia Marini did it - and then became the first female executive leader at Mott MacDonald Group. In this powerhouse episode of The Consultancy Edge, Marcia shares the turning points that fuelled her firm's explosive growth, the challenges of integrating into a global giant and why boutiques have the upper hand against the big consultancies.

She also breaks down:

• The one move that transformed her business trajectory
• Why most boutiques underprice themselves - and how to fix it
• The secret to building an unstoppable team
• How to win long-term client relationships instead of short-term projects

Play to hear real insights from someone who’s been there, done it and now helps others do the same. If you're serious about scaling your consultancy, this is a must-listen.

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Think great leadership is all about talking? Think again. In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, communication expert Isobel Camier breaks down why listening is the ultimate leadership superpower - especially when managing Gen Z. Who make up at least 20% of our workforce btw!

We tackle:

• The presenteeism trap - why showing up doesn’t mean switching on
• Gen Z expectations - how to engage a generation that demands promotions every year
• Reducing communication - why less is more in the workplace

If you want to lead better, listen first.

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On this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I talk with Florian Heinrichs of The Visible Authority. We dive deep into the power of positioning for consultancies, the pursuit of higher performance and the controversial stance on productising consulting services. Florian challenges conventional wisdom, arguing that productisation might actually accelerate the demand for experienced consulting.

Tune in to hear bold opinions, strategic insights and why playing it safe won’t get you the wins.

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In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with Matt Atkinson, a military veteran turned consultancy leader, to unpack his incredible journey from high-stakes operations to driving digital transformation and business growth.

Matt shares how his decade of military service shaped his leadership style, decision-making and ability to act with clarity under pressure. We also explore his pivotal role in scaling Waymark from £700k to over £2.5m in just two years, the strategies behind that explosive growth and why he believes deep empathy is the missing piece in digital transformation.

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On the 12th episode of The Consultancy Edge, I talk with Dom Moorhouse - a powerhouse of scaling consultancy success with precision, culture and courage. Dom’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From Royal Marine to founder of Moorhouse - a consultancy that grew to a £20m valuation - Dom has blazed a trail of success that continues to inspire. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

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On this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with the incredible Umbar Shakir - a technologist, consultant and advocate for human-centered innovation. From her 25+ years of consulting experience to her forward-thinking perspectives on AI and organisational culture, Umbar delivers insights that challenge the status quo and inspire change. We cover rehumanising work, evolving consultancy culture and metrics that matter.

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In the tenth episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with none other than Alan Weiss, widely recognised as the "rockstar of consulting." Author of over 60 books, including the iconic Million Dollar Consulting, and a renowned keynote speaker inducted into the Professional Speaking Hall of Fame, Alan is a towering figure in the consulting world.

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I sit down with Chris Parry, an entrepreneur, mentor, and coach, as she shares her journey from computer science to successful entrepreneurship. Chris opens up about her early career as a programmer in an all-male environment and the drive that led her to create her own path in consultancy. We dive into her insights on growth, where she emphasises that “growth is not a straight line” and discusses the importance of having a lead generation machine that goes beyond referrals.

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In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with Leon Gordon, founder of Onyx Data, to explore his journey from footballer to AI and data analytics expert. Leon shares his passion for upskilling, experimenting with new technologies and his perspective on generative AI's biases. He offers valuable advice on making partnerships work, emphasising the importance of metrics and knowing when to pivot.

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In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I chat with Professor Joe O'Mahoney, an M&A growth expert and Professor of Consulting at Cardiff University. Joe shares his journey and insights into the consulting industry, including 15 years of trends and recent pressures facing the sector. He dives into his research, revealing that boutique consultancies are outperforming the big firms on key metrics like client and employee satisfaction. Joe also credits his structured thinking to Barbara Minto’s Pyramid Principle and discusses the importance of focusing on client value in stable markets.

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