Shows
The Consulting Growth PodcastFrom Growth to Exit: What Founders Need to Get Right Early | Richard Goold & Prof. Joe O'MahoneyWhat does leadership really look like when growth, pressure, and personal risk collide?In this episode, Joe O’Mahoney speaks with Richard Goold about scaling consulting firms, leading under strain, and building long-term value without losing culture.Richard Goold supports founders, CEOs, and boards through the hardest stages of growth—scaling sustainably, protecting culture, and preparing for long-term value creation. He has led and exited consulting businesses, including a £35m sale following an MBO, and now advises fast-growth firms across the UK and US. Earlier in his career, Richard also served as a frontline Met Police offic...
2026-01-1436 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastOrganisational Health as a Growth Engine: The Q5 Approach | Olly Purnell & Prof. Joe O'MahoneyWhat does it take to scale a consulting firm internationally without external capital? In this episode, Joe O’Mahoney speaks with Olly Purnell, Managing Partner and co-founder of Q5, about how the firm grew from a five-person partnership to a global consultancy. With nearly 30 years of consulting experience, he leads client engagements across sectors while also focusing on attracting top talent to support Q5’s growth in the UK, US, and Australia.Olly explains why Q5 moved away from an associate-heavy model, how they built a culture around organisational health, and how thei...
2025-12-1044 min
Monday Morning Cubs ShowBuilding The Bullpen And Trading Smart - Let's Be RealisticHope is not a plan, and payroll isn’t a magic wand. We dig into a clear, realistic path for the Cubs to win the Central: stack a fearless bullpen, trade for a rotation stabilizer, and sharpen platoons that punish left-handed pitching. Instead of chasing tier-one free agents, we map out how to convert close games into wins and use our prospect capital where it matters most.We start by unpacking the spending gap fans feel when comparing Chicago to the Braves and Blue Jays, and why public-company transparency makes those clubs look aggressive while the Cubs op...
2025-12-021h 02
The Consulting Growth PodcastThe Second Bite Strategy | Todd Taskey & Prof. Joe O'MahoneyWhat if selling your business wasn't the end of your wealth creation journey, but rather the beginning? In this fascinating conversation with Todd Taskey, M&A advisor and host of the Second Bite Podcast, we explore how marketing agency founders can transform a business sale into an extraordinary wealth-building opportunity.Todd reveals the three currencies every business seller receives – cash, earn-out, and equity – and explains why that third component often becomes the most valuable. Through real-world examples like Social SEO (which grew from $2M to $16M in EBIT DA after acquisition) and Endrock Solutions (whose founder went from...
2025-11-0354 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastThe Future of Professional Services: How Agentic AI Will Reshape Consulting Forever | Rob Price & Prof. Joe O'MahoneyAgentic AI is rapidly transforming professional services, yet many consultancies remain cautious about its implementation. In this groundbreaking conversation, Professor Joe O'Mahony and Rob Price explore what happens when multiple AI agents work together as a team to tackle complex business challenges.Rob explains how agentic AI differs from traditional AI applications by creating virtual team members with specific expertise, memory capabilities, and tools. These aren't simple chatbots – they're sophisticated systems that can handle complex workflows while maintaining human oversight. The most fascinating examples include agent teams already working in regulated environments for apprenticeship coaching and due di...
2025-10-151h 08
The Consulting Growth PodcastScaling a Boutique Consultancy | Anish Patel & Prof. Joe O'MahoneyAnish Patel takes us on a fascinating journey from his beginnings as a "physics geek" to building and selling a successful consultancy in this candid conversation about growth, leadership, and knowing when to exit.With refreshing honesty, Anish reveals how his scientific background created the perfect foundation for consulting work. "The scientific method was something that really I was interested in," he explains, describing how identifying issues, gathering data, developing hypotheses, and convincing others translates perfectly from physics to business consulting.The conversation delves into the struggles of transitioning from a well-known consultancy to founding...
2025-09-1542 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastThe Real Cost of Entrepreneurship | Episode 8 - Bill Poston & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textBill Poston's remarkable journey from truck stop motel clerk to successful consulting entrepreneur offers a masterclass in professional services growth. With disarming candor, he shares how his farm upbringing and hospitality background instilled the relentless work ethic that became his competitive edge at Deloitte and beyond.After a decade at Deloitte that served as his "apprenticeship" in consulting fundamentals, Poston took the entrepreneurial leap to found Calypso, a firm focused exclusively on helping clients deliver on the promise of innovation. What began as a "bet on ourselves" quickly grew beyond expectations...
2025-09-1446 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastFrom Political Philosophy to Peer Groups | Episode 9 - Tom McMakin & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textTom McMakin's path to consulting success began far from boardrooms – with a political philosophy degree followed by Peace Corps service in Africa. This unconventional start equipped him with unexpected skills that would later prove invaluable when leading a bread company to nationwide success and eventually purchasing Profitable Ideas Exchange (PI).Under Tom's leadership, PI has transformed from a small firm with six employees to a thriving business with 100 staff and approximately $15 million in revenue. Their unique value proposition? Creating meaningful connections between large consultancies and the executives they hope to serve th...
2025-09-1447 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastScaling Small Consultancies: The Talent Challenge | Episode 6 - Caroline Boston & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textCaroline Boston, reveals the talent acquisition secrets that help small consultancies grow exponentially in today's competitive market. With over 20 years in the consulting recruitment space, Boston offers rare insights into how boutique firms.The talent journey of a growing consultancy follows predictable patterns. Most firms begin with an associate model before taking the leap to permanent hires. Boston identifies the critical "engagement manager" role as the typical first key hire – someone who can anchor client relationships while delivering exceptional work. This transition represents not just a financial investment but a psychological sh...
2025-09-1443 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastThe Global Consulting Blueprint: Building a Boutique Empire | Episode 7 - Jeffrey Cronkshaw & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textWhat does it really take to build a successful global consulting firm from scratch without external investment? In this revealing conversation, Jeffrey Cronkshaw, founder and group managing director of Lancia Consult, shares the untold story behind growing his consultancy from a two-person operation to a thriving international business with offices in Singapore, the UK, and beyond.The journey began not with a meticulously crafted business plan, but with a practical solution to work-life balance challenges when Jeffrey's wife Isabella returned from maternity leave at Accenture. What started as a simple contracting...
2025-09-1358 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastScaling a Consultancy with Culture, Quality, and Smart Marketing | Episode 5 - Edward Beals & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textBuilding a consulting firm from scratch requires more than expertise—it demands vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to culture. Edward Beals, founder of Loft9, demonstrates how these principles can transform a startup consultancy into an acquisition target in less than a decade.Starting with just two founders and modest investment, Loft9 achieved remarkable first-year results: 17 employees and $2.2 million in revenue. Beals attributes this success to their cultural foundation, what he calls the "trifecta of awesomeness"—hiring people who are smart, driven, and humble. This cultural emphasis wasn't just internal; it beca...
2025-09-1336 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastFrom Spreadsheet Chaos to Streamlined Success | Episode 4 - Behram Khan & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textAre your consultancy's processes holding back your growth potential? In this revealing episode of the Consulting Growth Podcast, we dive deep into how Professional Service Automation (PSA) software can transform small and medium-sized consultancies.Guest Behram Khan, co-founder of Avaza PSA software, shares how the right systems can help consultancies escape the "spreadsheet trap" that drains productivity and profits. Born from his own frustrations as a project manager, Khan explains how fragmented processes using separate tools for tasks, communication, time tracking, and invoicing create costly inefficiencies that compound as businesses grow.
2025-09-1155 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastExit Strategies for Consultants | Episode 3 - Bill Bierce & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textWhat happens when business partners who once shared a vision find themselves at odds over an exit strategy? The consequences can be financially devastating and emotionally draining—yet most consultancy owners postpone these crucial conversations until it's too late.Bill Bierce, managing attorney and co-founder of Beers Kenerson Attorneys, brings decades of experience resolving business partnership disputes to this eye-opening conversation about preparing for successful exits. Having witnessed countless "corporate divorces," Bill shares practical wisdom on how consultancy owners can protect themselves and their equity value through proper planning.At...
2025-09-1054 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastMastering Consultancy Growth: Insights from Robert Garner | Episode 1 - Robert Garner & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textRobert Garner's journey from KPMG partner to successful consultancy entrepreneur offers a masterclass in professional services growth and value creation. Drawing on his experience founding Avail Consulting (which he successfully sold) and later serving as Group CEO of Tribal Group, Garner shares the strategic frameworks that transformed his businesses from startups to multimillion-pound enterprises.At the heart of Robert Garner's approach is a disciplined focus on what he calls the "four-by-four matrix" – aligning four specific service offerings with four target markets to create sixteen strategic focal points. This clarity of purpose al...
2025-09-1042 minThe Consulting Growth PodcastMaximising Your Consultancy's Sale Value @Episode 2 - David Blois & Prof. Joe O'MahoneySend us a textWhat makes a consultancy truly valuable to potential buyers? It's far more than just impressive EBIT DA figures and client lists.David Blois, a certified accountant with 25 years of M&A experience in the professional services sector, reveals the three critical boxes every successful acquisition must tick: chemistry between the parties, cultural alignment in working practices, and an outstanding combined business proposition. His insights challenge the conventional wisdom that focuses solely on financials."Buyers are fairly simple creatures," Bloys explains, highlighting their preference for straightforward acquisitions that align with...
2025-09-0939 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastUnlocking Consultancy Success: Richard Brackstone on Growth, Strategy, and LeadershipRichard Brackstone, the managing partner of Moorhouse Consulting, and I talk about growing consultancies. We talk about his time at Andersen Consulting and spearheading projects in the Blair-Brown government era to leading major projects at Lloyds.We'll explore the interesting evolution of Moorhouse Consulting, tracing its rise from Dom Moorhouse's vision to the fast-paced expansion that followed their management buyout. We explore how leadership changes, a commitment to diversity, and service line transformations fueled the firm's expansion to a powerhouse of nearly 300 dedicated professionals. Richard also offers an insider's perspective on the nuances of ownership t...
2025-03-1543 min
Destination On The Left2025 News from the ABA Marketplace in Philadelphia, with Nicole MahoneyThis is the first of a two-part series from the ABA Marketplace, in which we discuss how the industry is evolving, the biggest opportunities ahead, and strategies shaping travel's future. In this episode, you'll hear from five inspirational tourism leaders about topics including the rise of slow tourism and experiential travel. In this episode, you'll hear from these remarkable leaders: Sally Altman, Director Of Global Sales From Travel Advocates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-altman/ Mitch Bach, CEO of Trip School: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchellbach/ Marlene Kay Smith, Sales Manager Of Traverse City Tourism...
2025-03-0542 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastChris Tomlinson on AI-Driven Transformation and Boutique Firm AdvantagesChris Tomlinson, the founder and CEO of Muuto, is reshaping his firm by embracing AI. Learn how Chris and his team are leveraging the power of generative technologies to shift their consulting practices.Chris shares his insights on how boutiques can outpace larger organizations by harnessing the agility to innovate without the usual constraints. We explore the potential of AI agents in modeling and refining work processes, transforming traditional consulting models to be more adaptive and efficient. Chris and I discuss the critical role of leadership in this transformation and share strategies for fostering a c...
2025-02-2038 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastPreparing for growth inflection points: lessons from two successful CEOsAny business school student will tell you about the S-curves that most companies encounter when they scale: when what got you to point A will actively prevent you from getting to point B. Anticipating these leads to smoother growth, happier employees, less stressed CEOs/owners, and keener investors / buyers.Here, we learn from the growth journeys of Richard Goold (ex-CEO of Moorhouse) and Mark Palmer (ex-CEO of GoBeyond and OEE Consulting) - both of whom grew and exited their firms around the £40m mark.The episode explores the critical inflection points that consultancies must navigate d...
2025-01-211h 29
Famous Interviews with Joe DiminoAuthor and Tarot Empowered Business Leader Amethyst MahoneyWelcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series .. On this episode, we talk with Author and Tarot Empowered Business Leader Amethyst Mahoney .. She has a PhD and 2 Master's Degrees. After 13 years as a psychologist, she quit to go read Tarot full time because the cards just work better. Now she helps business owners use the power of Tarot to simplify their business, attract new clients daily, and grow to $25k months with her Five Figure Framework. Amethyst is the author of multiple best-selling books including the Tarot Empowered Business System and a series on...
2025-01-1732 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastTalent Strategies for Boutique Consulting - Gary Landes, Wilton-Bain.Why do senior hires fail so often in consulting? What can we do to minimise this?Join me as I sit down with Gary Lanz from Wilton Bain to explore the intricate art of talent acquisition and development within the consulting industry. We discuss finding the strong senior hires who can generate business, fit culturally, and harmonize with existing teams. We also tackle the ongoing debate between being a trusted advisor and the necessity of becoming a visible expert in today's content-driven world.Navigating the complexities of partner recruitment, Gary and I explore lateral hiring...
2024-12-0244 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastHow to Price your Consulting Services with Ethan WilliamsIn this episode of the Consulting Growth Podcast, we sit down with pricing strategy maestro Ethan Williams, who transitioned from real estate investment banking to becoming an authoritative voice in global pricing strategy. Here is Ethan's AI Pricing Advisor: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-MNWgcA4wX-value-based-pricing-advisorHere's Ethan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-williams-8567278/We dive deep into Ethan's experiences at GE Digital, PwC, and McKinsey, and his transformative work at FGS Global. Ethan unveils the secrets behind moving from traditional time-and-materials pricing to value-based models, shedding light on how these shifts not o...
2024-09-3041 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastThought Leadership & AI in Boutique Consultancies – Insights with Athena PeppesWhat does great thought leadership look like for boutique consultancies? Join us on the Consulting Growth Podcast as we engage with Athena Peppes, a luminary in thought leadership and artificial intelligence. Drawing from her stellar career at Accenture and her current role as an independent consultant, Athena unveils what makes thought leadership effective. In this episode, Athena demystifies how boutique firms can leverage AI to distill valuable insights from existing client relationships. Discover strategies to produce impactful annual statement pieces that can strengthen your firm's market position. Athena also explores the transformative power of generative AI in...
2024-09-0237 min
Re-Creative: A podcast about inspiration and creativityJohn Scalzi, the PrequelBack in 2003, at the WorldCon held in Toronto, Canada – known as Torcon 3 – Joe Mahoney met Mark Rayner for the first time. Joe also had an opportunity to meet and interview John Scalzi for a radio documentary that later aired on CBC Radio's The Current.The interview (the entirety of which is included in this episode) is a fascinating slice of history. It was John’s first WorldCon and he took an anthropological approach to understanding what was going on all around him. “It’s like a convention of misfit toys,” he says. “It’s its own self-contained things.”A...
2024-07-2427 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastProductize! Eisha Armstrong and Chris Dando discuss how to generate products from expert knowledgeProductization offers considerable opportunities to consultancies as the cost of development has collapsed. Eisha Armstong is the world's leading expert on how this is achieved in consultancies, co-founder of Vecteris and celebrated author. Chris Dando is a member of the Boutique Leaders Club and founder / CEO of Reinvigoration - an operations consultancy which has recent successfully productized some of its offerings. Eisha, brings her expertise in helping service companies reinvent their business models to thrive in today's market. Meanwhile, Chris shares insider knowledge on developing a software spin-off aimed at facilitating operations transformation and building recurring revenue st...
2024-07-1137 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastPresidential Whisperer: Michael Kempner on growing his PR firm to 300+ peopleMeet Michael Kempner, the mastermind behind MIKEWORLDWIDE. His is a story a narrative woven with tenacity and transformation moving from a solo operation to spearheading a leading independent PR firm, where embracing past hurdles has been integral to the company's monumental growth.This episode peels back the layers on how valuing human capital has been pivotal to MWW's success, revealing that nurturing talent is just as crucial as attracting it. We discuss the importance of brand perception to consulting firms as well as learning from the journey of Michael in growing his own firm to over 300 people.
2024-05-1053 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastMastering M&A in the Consultancy Sector: Jerome Glynn-Smith of EquiteqUnlock the secrets to a triumphant M&A journey in the knowledge economy with Jerome Glynn-Smith, the Equiteq's Head of Europe. As a former JP Morgan and Deloitte luminary, Jerome provides wisdom on the pivotal role of specialization within the technology and professional services sectors. Our chat navigates through the critical $10 million revenue threshold, the allure of private equity in the consultancy sphere, and the delicate art of balancing risk and scalability for consulting firms on the brink of a sale.We dissect the valuation conundrums and profit trajectories that influence the consultancy industry's M&A...
2024-04-0937 min
The Consulting Growth PodcastPhil Rolfe: from growth to sale. Twice.Phil Rolfe founded, grew and sold FS101 to P2 Consulting, then P2 Consulting to Valcon, where he is now the country COO for the UK. This episode promises a treasure trove of wisdom, from Phil's transformative journey from Eagle Star, KPMG and RBS to the innovative frontiers of Vulcan's data problem-solving focus. As your host, Professor Joe O'Mahoney, I'm thrilled to share how Phil's bold leap to the Netherlands and the launch of FS101 led to an exhilarating adventure in financial crime advisory.You'll gain rare insight into the delicate dance between new leaders and t...
2024-03-0635 min