The Consultancy Business

Hosted by Phil Lewis Associates

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Jan 2025

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About the show

Phil’s two consultancies run on one principle: businesses are not machines, and they don’t operate on machine logic. Neither do independent consultants. The guests, conversations and advice on his podcast explore the joys, possibilities and pitfalls of the consultant’s life and work - always from a candid, human perspective. If you want to build a lasting consultancy shaped by strong ethics and a commitment to excellence, this podcast is a must-listen. Find Phil online at https://www.philhq.com/

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19 recent

January 12, 202544 min

'Questions are the answer to everything': Sales for nice people with Martin Stellar

How do you sell well - and ethically - if you are fortunate enough to be a 'nice person'?!In this final episode of the Consultancy Business podcast, we are joined by Martin Stellar.Martin, a former monk, is now a consultant who is passionate about helping nice people sell more.https://martinstellar.com/--- Advance, the new course from The Consultancy Business, is now available exclusively at TBD+.Advance is designed to equip independent consultants with skills and tools that complement your own expertise to help you run your business as effectively as possible.Practical, to-the-point and structured in accordance with best practice in adult learning, each lesson will deepen your knowledge in a different domain, from defining success to pitch-perfect pricing.About TBD+Already attracting members from Meta, NASA, Omnicom, startups, SMEs, and a host of others, TBD+ offers a unique space to connect with industry leaders, get new business opportunities, and access exclusive original (and curated) content. Whether you’re looking to learn, network, or solve those burning questions, TBD+ has you covered, and it’s available via desktop or the handy app. Key benefits of joining TBD+ include:- Curated summaries and a host a of original content - Opportunities to meet industry executives- Exclusive learning content- Access to hours of thought leadership material with TBD Conference talks and Mouthwash interviewsFor just £24.99 a month, you gain instant access to a global network that’s dedicated to keeping you ahead of the curve. Sign up now and connect with innovators who will help you thrive in today’s fast-changing world.Sign up here: members.tbdpl.usMentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

December 2, 202450 min

Neurodivergence in consultancy: Sarah Castor-Perry and Nathan Whitbread

What does it mean if you are neurodivergent and working as a consultant? Also, how do consultants best accommodate neurodiversity in the organisations we serve?For this episode, Phil is joined by Nathan Whitbread and Sarah Castor-Perry. They are both specialists in neurodiversity, and helping workplaces to better understand neurodivergent workforces.Sarah Castor-Perry's work as a coach and consultant is with Kernel - here. Nathan Whitbread is The Neurodivergent Coach - here.----Advance, the new course from The Consultancy Business, is now available exclusively at TBD+.Advance is designed to equip independent consultants with skills and tools that complement your own expertise to help you run your business as effectively as possible.Practical, to-the-point and structured in accordance with best practice in adult learning, each lesson will deepen your knowledge in a different domain, from defining success to pitch-perfect pricing.About TBD+Already attracting members from Meta, NASA, Omnicom, startups, SMEs, and a host of others, TBD+ offers a unique space to connect with industry leaders, get new business opportunities, and access exclusive original (and curated) content. Whether you’re looking to learn, network, or solve those burning questions, TBD+ has you covered, and it’s available via desktop or the handy app. Key benefits of joining TBD+ include:- Curated summaries and a host a of original content - Opportunities to meet industry executives- Exclusive learning content- Access to hours of thought leadership material with TBD Conference talks and Mouthwash interviewsFor just £24.99 a month, you gain instant access to a global network that’s dedicated to keeping you ahead of the curve. Sign up now and connect with innovators who will help you thrive in today’s fast-changing world.Sign up here: members.tbdpl.usMentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

November 3, 202450 min

Sustaining excellence: how to stay at the top of your game

Consulting at the highest level - how do you do it? How do you keep doing it over time? And if you are doing it, what do you need to be aware of?Sam Bevans from Apella Advisors, and Vivienne Hsu, a partner at JBI (Just Build It) join Phil for two seperate conversations, discussing what it's like to operate and thrive at the top level of consulting. ----Advance, the new course from The Consultancy Business, is now available exclusively at TBD+.Advance is designed to equip independent consultants with skills and tools that complement your own expertise to help you run your business as effectively as possible.Practical, to-the-point and structured in accordance with best practice in adult learning, each lesson will deepen your knowledge in a different domain, from defining success to pitch-perfect pricing.About TBD+Already attracting members from Meta, NASA, Omnicom, startups, SMEs, and a host of others, TBD+ offers a unique space to connect with industry leaders, get new business opportunities, and access exclusive original (and curated) content. Whether you’re looking to learn, network, or solve those burning questions, TBD+ has you covered, and it’s available via desktop or the handy app. Key benefits of joining TBD+ include:- Curated summaries and a host a of original content - Opportunities to meet industry executives- Exclusive learning content- Access to hours of thought leadership material with TBD Conference talks and Mouthwash interviewsFor just £24.99 a month, you gain instant access to a global network that’s dedicated to keeping you ahead of the curve. Sign up now and connect with innovators who will help you thrive in today’s fast-changing world.Sign up here: members.tbdpl.usMentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

October 6, 202459 min

Burnout: why wellbeing matters more than you might think

Wellbeing is a word that's everywhere these days - but do consultants take it as seriously as we should?Phil is joined by Fiona McKinnon and Alex Strang of Moment Company to discuss the all-too-real impact of burnout - on our practices and on our clients.We also discuss a range of ways that consultants can protect and enhance our own wellbeing with the performance coach Dominic Beecheno, who has been helping people survive and thrive at work for nearly two decades.Find out more:Moment Company: https://momentcompany.coDominic Beecheno: https://www.kaizencoaching.co.ukMentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

September 1, 202440 min

Lead generation agencies - a consultant's friend or foe?

Thousands, and thousands, and thousands of pounds. That's what Phil lost to a lead generation agency this year. Is this common in new business lead generation? Or are there some business, like there are consultants, who are grounded and ethical? So when Phil was approached by Namit Jindal from Deliverability Ninja, he was invited on the podcast to examine his lead generation approach in much more detail. Mentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

July 28, 202435 min

W*nkernomics: Calling Out Corporate BS

Do you struggle with simple tasks like using the phrase “circle back” in every email? Have you never used the word “synergies” in a Linkedin post?You need Wankernomics.Wankernomics started life as a live show, helping thousands of Australians unlock the secrets to workplace success through the ancient art of being an annoying wanker. And, for the first time, they're heading to the Edinburgh Fringe! Joining The Consultancy Business this time are James Schloeffel and Charles Firth - and although Wnkernomics is a comedy act, at the heart lie serious lessons about how we communicate at work - should we REALLY be breaking silos?!Mentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

June 30, 202451 min

How to survive the future: Tom Cheesewright

When consultants stare into the future, we are often confronted with uncertainty. So how do we prime our practises to survive and thrive? This month, Phil is joined by Tom Cheesewright, an independent consultant, writer, broadcaster - and 'applied futurist'.Remember to subscribe the podcast and share with people who you think will like it!You can find more of Tom's work here: https://tomcheesewright.comMentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

June 2, 202439 min

Why the “quick fix’ is a myth: Steve Hearsum

This month's guest is consultant, superviser and speaker Steve Hearsum. Steve is the author of 'No Silver Bullet: bursting the bubble of the organisational quick fix' and joins Phil to discuss the true role of consultants in a world where complex problems do not have easy answers. You can find Steve's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Bullet-Solutions-Psychology-Management/dp/1738553809Mentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

April 28, 202450 min

AI - the consultant’s friend or foe? A panel debate

Opinion on the seemingly unstoppable rise of AI is varied in every sector - but how worried should consultants be about AI - and can it help? Joining Phil for this panel debate are:Dan Sodergren - keynote speaker, expert media guest and author on the future of work, technology and AILiz Timoney - trainer of over a thousand corporate leaders, coach, speaker and author of Unstuck: Change Your Life StorySimon Moore - CEO of IB, doctor of Psychophysiological Psychology and a Chartered Psychologist with the BPS.Mentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis

April 8, 202443 min

Change activists in consultancy: Magic Breakfast's Carmel McConnell MBE

Carmel McConnell MBE launched Magic Breakfast, providing breakfasts to schools, after learning that pupils near her City of London office were going hungry. She has also written a book about practical steps to drive social change, called The Change Activist. Phil's conversation with Carmel is a must-listen for anyone looking to place social impact at the heart of their consultancy business. Find and support Carmel's Magic Breakfast initiative here.Find Carmel's book The Change Activist: Make Big Things Happen here.Mentioned in this episode:Come over to our new podcast home...We're delighted you've found the Consultancy Business Podcast from Phil Lewis Associates. We are no longer making new episodes of this podcast - so, once you've listened to this episode (and as many TCBP episodes as you like!) come over and find us at the brilliantly named 'The Phil Lewis podcast' - at this link: https://podfollow.com/phillewis