Hello Reader

We live in a digital world—a world that moves fast and requires us to “adapt or die.” I don’t know about you but I feel this digital world is moving faster and faster as each day passes. One of the things I’ve learned is to keep what I do simple and follow a 'less is more" philosophy. To do that, I try to take an agile approach and that is the approach I recommend to every consultant.

An agile mindset means:

• Move Fast but be Deliberate.
• Remain Focused on the Right Things.
• Be Flexible and Change.

The combination of the three—Fast, Focused, and Flexible—result in a consulting business that meets the needs of clients (and organizations) in today’s world.

What do I mean by move fast? Maybe you have heard the famous quote “Test Fast, Fail Fast, Adjust Fast” by Tom Peters.

As you validate your focus and ideal client, you want to be deliberate and move fast. You want to validate fast and if your beliefs are not quite right, adjust them fast. As you connect and build meaningful relationships with people, you want to ensure you are connecting with people who fit your ideal client profile or influence your ideal client. If not, move on. You can spend months speaking with people and having great conversations but no clients or even referrals. You need to decide when enough is enough.

Are you not moving fast because you are afraid of making a mistake and you let fear take over? Are you not moving fast because you are not getting the results you expect and instead of looking to modify what you are doing, you keep doing the same thing because you don’t know what to change? If you are not moving fast, what are the key forces that are preventing you from moving fast?

Sometimes moving fast means asking for help because you aren't sure what is the next step to take. Asking for help is actually a strength. What is important is to be agile— move fast but be deliberate-and if asking for help enables you to do just that, reach out to others.

What do I mean by remain focused on the right things? To help you remain focused, create a blueprint-roadmap-plan that keeps things simple and follows a “less is more” philosophy. It helps you remain focused so that you ask the right questions and connect and build meaningful relationships with the right people. It also helps you implement effective, efficient processes that streamline what you are doing enabling you to be agile, move fast and focus on the right actions.

What do I mean by be flexible and change? Position yourself to quickly respond to the needs of your ideal client and changes in this rapidly changing digital world. Ask yourself, how quick are you able to and willing to respond to change? Listen to what your ideal client is saying in both words and actions and then change accordingly. Be agile and flexible enabling you to remain current and relevant.

Being agile, enables you are able to listen to the needs of your clients and the world around you so that you can change quickly in a fast and focused manner. Being agile helps you remain current and relevant.

It is the combination of moving fast but deliberately, while remaining focused on the right things as well as being flexible enough to change for the good that enable you to be successful sooner versus later.

Until the next Consulting Insight,

Laura Burford

Whenever you’re ready, here are ways I can help you become an Experienced "Go-To" Consultant:

​Consulting Mastery: A Path to a Sustainable and Profitable Business: Walk away with a "less is more" framework that enables you implement effective, efficient processes that attract the right clients, consistent revenue, and you enjoying life on your terms. To find out more, schedule a free 45 minute Consulting Strategy call.

​​​​Determine Your Business Core: Focus, Ideal Client, and Point of View (Self-Study): A course focused on helping you define and clarify your what, why, who and how with the help of validation.​​

​Consultant Assessment (Document): A free downloadable document to help you assess your knowledge and skills.

​The Consultant’s Blueprint (Video): A Framework for Your Consulting Business.

If you liked this article, consider sharing it with others.

Have a question? Send me an email at Laura@lauraburford.com.

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