Some frameworks just sit in decks. Others do real work. They spark interest, guide delivery, and help consulting firms stand out with confidence... and in this episode, we dive into the kind that do exactly that—signature frameworks—with designer and methodology expert Charlotte Crowther. We unpack how to craft one that’s not just smart… but strategic. So, iIf you’ve ever wondered what separates a slide from a system—this one’s for you!

Episode guest

Charlotte Crowther, founder, SignatureFramework.com

Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Ever heard of "Rainmakers" - the bizdev champions of the services world? HBR published a piece saying their game is changing. Ash and Flo dove in to figure out how, exactly (spoiler: it's related to marketing!)

Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo. Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Please find the shownotes to this episode at unbillable-hrs.com.

We're back - and start our post-summer show with a deep dive into answers to the dreaded question "What should our consultancy post about?" (or some such): Tune in to hear Flo discuss the best philosophy for thought leadership planning and how to derive content from your value proposition. Enjoy!

Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota Shownotes Check out the upcoming Deltek Webinar feat. Flo here

You’ve nailed your value proposition—now what? In this episode, we show how consultancies can embed business development capabilities across the whole firm, turning scattered effort into a coordinated go-to-market machine.

Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Shownotes No notes for this one!

There, we'll say it: "Cold outreach selling" - whether by email, phone, or LinkedIn - doesn't really work in consulting (with a few exceptions perhaps confirming this rule). So... what can you do instead? Ash and Flo share some insights and tips you might want to listen to before sinking another 20k into an outreach effort with no ROI... Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Shownotes No notes for this one!

Ah, yes: Case studies - the workhorses of consultancy business development! So important to prove you can deliver your proposition! And yet, often in such sorry, sorry states... (Like, really: Many of them are not exactly great). The team invited Lead Comet's James De Roche to discuss why so many case studies don't work, how to fix them, and much more - listen to their conversation here! Episode guest

James De Roche, founder, Lead Comet

Credits Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Show notes Find Lead Comet's website over at: https://leadcometdigital.com/ Follow James on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesleadcomet/

We pause our strategy guide curriculum for a bit of news-related coverage - and have Ash and Flo review the new "Trends - Artificial Intelligence" report by Mary Meeker and her Co-authors at VC firm, Bond. The two use it to share some views re. how consultancies should position in this so-called "age of AI"... enjoy!

Credits Voices, production, etc. by Matt Hodkinson and the "Consultancy Edge" team Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Show notes

Link to the Trends - AI report on bondcap.com

Yes, we've explained how to design a value proposition. But what if a single proposition won't cut it - because your firm is large enough to house several practices, multiple service lines, and an even greater number of services? Ash and Flo explain, but want to remind you again here: Multi-propoisition stacking is a tool to facilitate effective strategy in larger firms - it's not your excuse to stay as broad and messy as possible 😉.

Credits Voices, production, etc. by Matt Hodkinson and the "Consultancy Edge" team Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota Music also by @iamthedakota

Show notes Find all "Consultancy Edge" episodes over at: https://www.thevisibleauthority.com/blog/how-to-structure-multiple-value-propositions-without-losing-your-firms-identity