The Professional Services Pursuit

In this episode of the Professional Services Pursuit, Brent sits down with Anthony Gindin, founder and CEO of Agency Different. Anthony, humorously dubbed the Canadian Don Draper, brings over 23 years of experience in the agency world, having built six companies, sold four, and taken two public. His international bestseller, The Agency Secret, encapsulates his vast experience in fostering profitable growth in agencies. Listen in as they discuss the importance of differentiation, market specificity, and the necessity of continual transformation in the ever-evolving agency landscape.Other key topics discussed include:The current state of the agency industry and the cautious optimism looking forwardThe top three challenges the majority of agencies face todayInsights from Anthony’s book on engineering value and systematizing repeatable growthHow agencies should approach and master AI to enhance efficiency without relying on it as a differentiatorTo learn more about Anthony and the services that he offers go check out his website. To win a copy of his book email us at podcast@kantata.com and we will send the first 5 listeners a free copy.

In this episode of The Professional Services Pursuit, Banoo talks with Tessa Misiaszek, head of research at the Korn Ferry Institute and host of The Happy at Work Podcast. They dive into the unique characteristics and values of Gen Z employees, discussing effective strategies to attract, retain, and engage this dynamic cohort within the professional services industry. With first-hand experience as a parent of Gen Z children and extensive research, Tessa offers actionable insights into building a work environment that resonates with younger employees.Other key topics covered include:Comparing generations - parallels between Gen Z and the Greatest Generation What Gen Z employees value and why traditional compensation and benefits packages might not suffice for retaining their talentsThe importance of authentic company values and actions Strategies for managers to effectively engage Gen Z employeesThe significance of understanding team dynamics, promoting inclusivity, and leveraging diverse skill setsTo learn more about Tessa, sign up for her newsletter or check out her book visit her website.

Welcome to another episode of the Professional Services Pursuit! This week Brent sits down with Jacob Parks, the president of Profitable Ideas Exchange (PIE) and co-author of the renowned book Never Say Sell: How the World’s Best Consulting and Professional Services Firms Expand Client Relationships. They discuss the importance of trust-building, effective cross-selling strategies, and how firms can leverage AI and other technologies to stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of consulting and professional services. Other topics covered in this conversation include:Practical tips and strategies to build trust and expanding client relationships How to effectively cross-sell servicesThe importance of being at the center of solving your clients problemsWhat the biggest consulting firms do differentlyThe role of AI in Professional Services - how technology is transforming business developmentHow AI is impacting consulting businesses and their ability to land, expand, be stickier, and sell value to their clientsFind out more about Profitable Ideas Exchange by checking out their website and be sure to pick up a copy of Jacob’s book, at your local book retailer or here.

In this episode, Brent talks to Matthew Kasindorf, SVP of Business Intelligence and Insights at the 4A's. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge from his agency experience in account management, business development, and his current role at 4A's. They discuss the crucial topic of agency transformation, delving into the obstacles many agencies face, the significance of evolving in the current economic landscape, and the role of AI in the industry's future.Additional topics covered in the conversation include:The cost of inaction for agencies in today's rapidly changing environmentThe transition from billable hours to alternative compensation models such as fixed fees and value-based pricingPractical applications of AI in the agency settingThe critical importance of operational rigor and technology in fostering agency growth and sustainabilityEthical considerations and consumer trust in AI-generated contentTo access more information and resources visit the 4A’s website. To learn more about the two research reports mentioned during the podcast click the links below:Decoding Compensation Models & Implementing the Right ModelPreserving Agency Value in the Era of GenAI Transformation

This episode of the Professional Services Pursuit is a recording from a recent TSIA webinar hosted by John Ragsdale, Distinguished Researcher, Vice President, Technology Ecosystems at TSIA. In it we discuss the hidden costs associated with technical debt—the cumulative consequences of using outdated or overly customized technology— and how it blocks predictable value delivery across the professional services lifecycle. Other topics discussed include:Understanding technical debtThe cost of outdated technology and the impact it has on employee and customer experienceHow to identify technical debt within your organizationStrategies for prioritizing and addressing these challengesHow to leverage AI and other emerging technologies to enhance forecasting, resource management, and decision-making processes

In this episode of the Professional Services Pursuit podcast, Banoo is joined by Doug Baxter, founder of Consultant Academy. The conversation explores the critical importance of talent development and systematic training within IT services companies, the pitfalls of current industry practices, and the powerful role of strategic methodologies in enhancing service delivery and achieving business growth. Other topics covered  include: Compelling industry data from the SPI Maturity BenchmarkCommon mistakes made by IT consulting firmsActionable strategies for building a more robust and resilient consulting practiceThe evolving landscape of professional servicesThe role of AI and automation in refining service delivery and client relationships

Ken Ringdahl, Chief Technology Officer at Kantata, joins Banoo on the podcast to discuss AI and its impact on professional services. They dive deep into the benefits and key opportunities that GenAI is creating for PS firms through operational efficiency, how to get started using a phased approach, and how to ultimately use AI to enhance customer and employee experiences. Other topics include:The Gartner GenAI hype cycle and how AI can benefit PS organizationsThe primary focus areas for development and planning in PSThe impact on employee and talent experienceThe risk associated with not adopting an AI forward strategyThe importance of clean data sources to maximize AI effectivenessHow Kantata is utilizing AI to help our customers to be more efficient

On this episode Brent is joined by Matt O’Dette, Vice President of Operations and Talent Management at Cramer. They discuss how Cramer puts their people and values first in everything they do in order to build a culture that encourages collaboration, creativity, trust and financial responsibility. They also discuss how they have built and fostered that culture over time and the steps and tools they used to get there. Other topics include:The importance of transparent leadership Finding balance between doing the right thing for your employees, clients and businessEmpowering teams to make decisions autonomouslyUtilizing “healthy conflict” and post mortems to collectively understand successes and failuresHow they use data and technology to enhance their culture of transparency and collaborationWhy it's critical to never lose sight of the people doing the work, listen to their needs and make sure they understand what success looks like