#5. Today, I'm learning from Bob Bell, CEO of boutique technology services firm ITK Consulting in Canada. Bob is an expert in business administration and has a track record of leading business in several different industries before cofounding ITK in 2016.

Bob shares how his superpower lies in his attention to administrative details—a skill that allows his team to focus on essential tasks like sales and delivery. We explore how Bob prioritizes tasks, his strategies for keeping overhead costs lean, and his philosophy on balancing employee and subcontractor roles.

Bob also discusses the critical decision of when to bring expertise in-house and how his firm approaches talent acquisition and HR functions, aiming to build a robust, dynamic team. This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders navigating the complexities of small-to-midsize business growth and looking to foster a culture of efficiency and collaboration.

KEY LESSONS

1. Hiring a talent manager. We’ve just hired three new principal consultants and engaged a recruiter to help us find 6 or 7 more team members over the next three months. Pretty soon I think we can justify a part-time talent manager to help us establish better recruitment, onboarding and talent management processes and ensure we follow them, and then help us with our next rounds of recruitment when we need to expand. I love your advice in this area. Thanks for that, Bob.
2. Balancing contractors and employees. I share a lot of your views on the value of bringing in contractors with specific skills and investing in the careers of employees in their training and bonuses over and above the benefits provided to contractors. Superware needs to continue to find ways to make our business a great place for employees to build a long-term career, while at the same time engaging contractors when we need to and recognising the differences between them and the differences in how they like to be compensated and engaged.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 People are the product in a consulting business

00:18 Introduction to Bob Bell

02:21 Bob Bell's fondness for administrative tasks

04:32 Prioritizing tasks and client-first philosophy

06:08 Knowing when to bring in an expert

08:05 Deciding company size and in-house roles

10:12 Importance of talent acquisition and HR functions

13:36 Challenges in finding the right HR talent

15:29 The role of subcontractors and employee balance

19:13 Overcoming perceptions of being a small firm

21:06 Conscious choice of subcontractors and employees balance

26:34 The value of an internship program

RESOURCES

• Bob Bell on LinkedIn
• ITK Consulting on LinkedIn
• ITK Consulting website

👋 LET'S CONNECT

🌐 Subscribe to Practice Leading newsletter for key lesson takeaways and special event invitations

🟥 Subscribe on YouTube

🟦 Follow on LinkedIn

🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn

🦋