Shows
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 22 AI ethics, boutique power plays and the rise of the futurist consultant, with Omaro MaseliThe brand halo is dead. That’s the bold claim from Omaro Maseli - and she’s got the research to back it up.On this episode of The Consultancy Edge, Omaro joins Matt Hodkinson for a fascinating deep dive into the future of consulting. From G20 stages to boutique boardrooms, Omaro’s journey has taken her from law and public policy to advising global consulting firms on how to stay relevant in a world that no longer buys brand by default.Together, they explore:Why consulting firms must now earn trust...2025-06-2646 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 21 No funnels, no ads, no excuses with Jeanne OmlorConsultants love to overcomplicate growth. Funnels. Ads. Paid traffic. Big teams. But what if you could build a multi-seven-figure business without any of that? Jeanne Omlor did exactly that - starting at 54, in debt, as a single parent and with zero following.In this episode, Jeanne cuts through the bull**** and shares how she scaled fast by focusing on what actually moves the needle: offers that knock people’s socks off, organic outreach, raw content and obsessive attention to the numbers.If you're tired of playing the volume game and ready to scale profitably - th...2025-06-1245 min
unbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketingC2E15 - AI and advisory - some notesWe 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
2025-06-0635 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 20 The highs, lows and hard truths of growth with Marc Jantzen£10m exits. KFC chaos. And the truth about consultancy growth.In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, Matt sits down with Marc Jantzen, founder of The Consultancy Growth Network and former CEO of Blue Sky, which he scaled and sold to Capita for £10 million.Marc shares his unfiltered journey - from managing 200 people at KFC (yes, really), to leading a 17-year consultancy adventure filled with success, betrayal and ultimately, a lucrative exit.Expect lessons that go way beyond the spreadsheet:Why growth isn’t linear - and how to stay sane...2025-05-2942 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 19 Inclusion, allyship and building cultures that actually work, with Gillian Jones-WilliamsConsultancy is still often seen as pale, male and stale. This episode is your wake-up call.Gillian Jones-Williams is the founder of Emerge, a coaching and training consultancy specialising in leadership, women’s development and DEI. She’s seen it all: mishandled harassment cases, performative panel invites, surface-level “initiatives” that change nothing - and cultures that quietly exclude.In this powerful and practical episode, she shares:Why inclusion must be built into every part of your business - not bolted onHow to design meaningful diversity strategies, not tick-box effortsW...2025-05-1539 minunbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketingC2E13 - "Stacking" propositions for a multi-service firmYes, 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 @calma...2025-05-0924 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 18 Truth, burnout and building a business that fits you with Craig HerdTruth is attractive. That’s Craig Herd’s mantra - and this episode proves why.Craig is the founder of Consultancy Growth. He works with boutique consultancy founders to help them scale sustainably, systemise growth and escape the treadmill they built for themselves.In this candid conversation, Craig gets fun, fascinating and focused on what it really takes to build a consultancy that doesn’t burn you out - or bore you senseless.We cover:Why your content should give away the keys to the farm (spoiler: clients still call you)Ho...2025-05-0147 min
The Consultancy Growth PodcastEscape the Grind and Build a Lasting Consultancy for Freedom & Legacy with Craig HerdHost Craig HerdGuest Matt Hodkinson In this special crossover episode, Craig Herd, host of the Consultancy Growth Podcast, flips the mic as he joins Matt Hodkinson on The Consultancy Edge to talk openly about founder burnout, building a sustainable consultancy, and why most marketing advice for boutique firms is dead wrong.Craig shares his own story of nearly losing it all, rebuilding from the ground up, and the hard-won insights he now brings to boutique consultancy founders trying to scale beyond themselves.Why many consultancies get stuck around the £1M mark.2025-04-3048 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 17 Referrals, revenue and reputation with Danilo KreimerStill waiting on referrals to fill your pipeline? Danilo Kreimer says that’s not a growth strategy - it’s a gamble.In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with Danilo, founder of the Boutique Consulting Club, to dig into the brutal truths behind go-to-market success for early-stage consultancies.We get into:Why referrals run dry - and what to do insteadThe secrets to building a real business development habitHow to position your consultancy so clients say “yes” fasterWhat strategic partnerships look like when they actually workWhy most consultancies don’t ne...2025-04-1750 minunbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketingC2E11 - Positioning, productisation and pushing boundaries with Florian Heinrichs (Consultancy Edge re-broadcast)Surprise episode! For this one, we'll break from our pre-planned curriculum of "how-to" episodes to syndicate a conversation between Total Growth Ownership's Matt Hodkinson and Flo for Matt's "Consultancy Edge" podcast. Listen to the two of them discuss positioning, productisation and pushing boundaries in consulting!
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" e...2025-04-1153 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 16 Scaling, selling and smashing barriers with Marcia MariniHow do you take a consultancy from zero to £20m in just seven years? Marcia Marini did it - and then became the first female executive leader at Mott MacDonald Group. In this powerhouse episode of The Consultancy Edge, Marcia shares the turning points that fuelled her firm's explosive growth, the challenges of integrating into a global giant and why boutiques have the upper hand against the big consultancies.She also breaks down:The one move that transformed her business trajectoryWhy most boutiques underprice themselves - and how to fix itThe secret to building an unstoppable t...2025-04-0340 min
The Consultancy Growth PodcastHow to Grow 2X Faster While Outsmarting Your Competition With Matt HodkinsonIn this episode of the Consultancy Growth Podcast, Matt Hodkinson, CEO of Total Growth Ownership, joins me to break down why differentiation and market positioning are make-or-break for consultancies.We explore the common traps consultancy founders fall into—like mirroring competitors, struggling to communicate their value, and the knock-on effect weak positioning has on pricing and client engagement. Through real-world examples, we unpack how small shifts in messaging can lead to major growth.If you’ve ever questioned what truly sets your consultancy apart—or worried that your positioning isn’t landing—this episode is for you.2025-03-2639 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 15 Listening, leading and winning over Gen Z with Isobel CamierThink great leadership is all about talking? Think again. In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, communication expert Isobel Camier breaks down why listening is the ultimate leadership superpower - especially when managing Gen Z. Who make up at least 20% of our workforce btw!We tackle:The presenteeism trap - why showing up doesn’t mean switching onGen Z expectations - how to engage a generation that demands promotions every yearReducing communication - why less is more in the workplaceIf you want to...2025-03-2041 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 14 Positioning, productisation and pushing boundaries with Florian HeinrichsOn this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I talk with Florian Heinrichs of The Visible Authority. We dive deep into the power of positioning for consultancies, the pursuit of higher performance and the controversial stance on productising consulting services. Florian challenges conventional wisdom, arguing that productisation might actually accelerate the demand for experienced consulting.Tune in to hear bold opinions, strategic insights and why playing it safe won’t get you the wins.Send us a message2025-03-0651 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 13 - Empathy, efficiency and scaling with Matt AtkinsonIn this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with Matt Atkinson, a military veteran turned consultancy leader, to unpack his incredible journey from high-stakes operations to driving digital transformation and business growth.Matt shares how his decade of military service shaped his leadership style, decision-making and ability to act with clarity under pressure. We also explore his pivotal role in scaling Waymark from £700k to over £2.5m in just two years, the strategies behind that explosive growth and why he believes deep empathy is the missing piece in digital transformation.Send us a me...2025-02-2051 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 12 - Strategy, execution and leadership with Dom MoorhouseOn the 12th episode of The Consultancy Edge, I talk with Dom Moorhouse - a powerhouse of scaling consultancy success with precision, culture and courage. Dom’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From Royal Marine to founder of Moorhouse - a consultancy that grew to a £20m valuation - Dom has blazed a trail of success that continues to inspire. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.Send us a message2025-02-0647 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 11 - Craft, graft and ethics with Umbar ShakirOn this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with the incredible Umbar Shakir - a technologist, consultant and advocate for human-centered innovation. From her 25+ years of consulting experience to her forward-thinking perspectives on AI and organisational culture, Umbar delivers insights that challenge the status quo and inspire change. We cover rehumanising work, evolving consultancy culture and metrics that matter.Send us a message2025-01-231h 01
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 10 - A masterclass in consulting with Alan WeissIn the tenth episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with none other than Alan Weiss, widely recognised as the "rockstar of consulting." Author of over 60 books, including the iconic Million Dollar Consulting, and a renowned keynote speaker inducted into the Professional Speaking Hall of Fame, Alan is a towering figure in the consulting world.Send us a message2025-01-0949 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 9 - Breaking barriers, growth and testing your proposition with Chris ParryI sit down with Chris Parry, an entrepreneur, mentor, and coach, as she shares her journey from computer science to successful entrepreneurship. Chris opens up about her early career as a programmer in an all-male environment and the drive that led her to create her own path in consultancy. We dive into her insights on growth, where she emphasises that “growth is not a straight line” and discusses the importance of having a lead generation machine that goes beyond referrals.Send us a message2024-12-1945 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 8 - AI, data and the power of partnerships, with Leon GordonIn this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with Leon Gordon, founder of Onyx Data, to explore his journey from footballer to AI and data analytics expert. Leon shares his passion for upskilling, experimenting with new technologies and his perspective on generative AI's biases. He offers valuable advice on making partnerships work, emphasising the importance of metrics and knowing when to pivot.Send us a message2024-12-0547 min
The Chris Voss ShowThe Chris Voss Show Podcast – MEHscapology: How to turn your “carbon copy” B2B company into a growth machine with differentiation, positioning and un-turn-downable offers by Matt Hodkinson
MEHscapology: How to turn your “carbon copy” B2B company into a growth machine with differentiation, positioning and un-turn-downable offers by Matt Hodkinson
Amazon.com
Totalgrowthownership.com
So many B2B companies strive to achieve their growth ambitions by investing headlong into the latest marketing strategy or sales tactic, in the fervent belief that more activity produces more deals. But without a rock-solid market position and a core message that runs through the very fibres of your business presence, no amount of content, publicity, outreach or advertising will bring you the...2024-11-2530 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 7 - M&A, consulting trends and boutique success, with Professor Joe O'MahoneyIn this episode of The Consultancy Edge, I chat with Professor Joe O'Mahoney, an M&A growth expert and Professor of Consulting at Cardiff University. Joe shares his journey and insights into the consulting industry, including 15 years of trends and recent pressures facing the sector. He dives into his research, revealing that boutique consultancies are outperforming the big firms on key metrics like client and employee satisfaction. Joe also credits his structured thinking to Barbara Minto’s Pyramid Principle and discusses the importance of focusing on client value in stable markets.Send us a message2024-11-2151 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 6 - Becoming a visible authority with Luk SmeyersIn this episode, I chat with Luk Smeyers, founder of The Visible Authority, about the importance of shifting from an "ad hoc" approach to a well-structured strategy that sets consultancies up for long-term success. Luk explains how his own journey from corporate HR to consultancy helped him focus on creating a signature methodology, fostering client retention, and driving premium-priced services. We also touch on the future of AI in consulting and why specialisation is key to growth.Send us a message2024-11-0746 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 5 - Consulting skills and balancing business with life, with Deri HughesIn this episode, I speak with Deri Hughes, founder of Honeycomb Consulting Skills Training, as we explore the importance of continuously developing your consultancy team's skills. Deri shares his fascinating journey from his early days at Bain, through the boutique consulting world, to building his own business. We also dive into how he balances the demanding world of consulting with family life, offering valuable insights on resilience, work-life balance and building trust with clients.We also explore key themes like building trust with clients, maintaining work-life boundaries, and the art of business development in boutique consultancies. Deri...2024-10-2450 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 4 - Bootstrapping, fintech and social impact, with Tony ClarkIn this episode of The Consultancy Edge, Matt Hodkinson has an insightful conversation with Tony Clark, founder of NextWave - a London-based fintech consultancy. Tony shares his journey of bootstrapping NextWave since its inception just before the pandemic, and the defining moment that led to his resignation to pursue this venture.He also highlights the critical role of commercial partnerships and his recent takeover of the London Fintech Podcast. Additionally, Tony discusses NextWave’s impactful One4One social enterprise programme, which has provided paid internships to 51 young people from diverse backgrounds over the past five years....2024-10-1048 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 3 - Insights into intelligence, advisory and M&A, with Ramone Param and Nathan SimonIn the next episode of The Consultancy Edge, I sit down with Ramone Param and Nathan Simon, partners at Kennedy Intelligence, based in Florida, USA. Specialising in intelligence, advisory, and M&A, Ramone and Nathan share their deep expertise and discuss the nuances of navigating complex business landscapes. They offer a unique perspective on how intelligence can drive successful mergers and acquisitions, and what it takes to stay ahead in today's competitive market.Whether you're involved in consultancy, business strategy, or M&A, this episode is packed with actionable insights that you won't want to miss.2024-09-2648 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 2 - Building quality networks on LinkedIn with Colleen McKennaIn this insightful episode, we sit down with Colleen McKenna, the founder of Intero Advisory, an international firm specialising in leveraging LinkedIn for business success. Colleen shares her unique perspective on how to effectively use LinkedIn, not as a social media platform, but as a powerful tool for building quality business networks.Colleen offers valuable insights, emphasising that "LinkedIn is business, not social media," and explains why it's crucial to focus on nurturing "centres of influence" rather than building the largest network. She also discusses the importance of steering clear of automation tools and hashtags, believing that...2024-09-2649 min
The Consultancy EdgeEp. 1 - Embracing vibrancy in business with Sarah MatthewJoin me for an inspiring conversation with Sarah Matthew, the dynamic founder of The Vibrant Company, as she shares her journey and insights on building a vibrant business. In this episode, Sarah opens up about her passion for empowering people, teams, and organisations to become their most vibrant selves. Based in Surrey, UK, she brings a fresh perspective on business consultancy that defies conventions and encourages authenticity.Sarah discusses the importance of having a clear business plan, using a vivid analogy: If we don't have a plan that really serves us, we are a jellyfish, getting washed...2024-09-2652 min
The Consultancy EdgeIntroducing The Consultancy EdgeWelcome to The Consultancy Edge! In this short episode, I (Matt Hodkinson) give a quick overview of who this podcast is for and why it's different from the usual consultancy fare. I'll share what you can expect from our lineup of guests - ranging from industry leaders to clients - and the kinds of topics we'll dive into, including strategies and insights to help you stand out. Join me to get a taste of what's to come and why this podcast can be your edge in the consultancy world.2024-09-2603 min
#techlondonFounder and Chief MEHscapologist at Total Growth OwnershipMatt Hodgkinson is a consultant who assists B2B organisations in breaking out of the humdrum and injecting excitement into their positioning and marketing. He talks about the concept of MEHscapology, which is the idea of escaping the MEH of business. Matt emphasises the necessity of being unique and transparent about what you discuss in order to stand out and capture someone's attention. Matt also talks about how important it is to target the appropriate people and make them feel like they've never heard or seen anything like it before. He stresses the need of using...2023-05-1728 min
No Nay Never PodcastBFC Books Special Part 3This week as Christmas approaches and, more importantly, the return of club football; we are featuring 3 Burnley FC related books that would make great gifts for the Clarets in your life. In our first episode, we heard from Michael Hodkinson, author of the brilliantly titled 'No Nay Never' book on the East Lancs rivalry and in our second episode we heard from club legend, Barry Kilby who has published his memoirs, 'Starting From Scratch'. In this episode we'll be hearing from sports author & Clarets fan, Tim Quelch, who's new book, 'Northern Exposure' is a 50 year diary of watching Bu...2022-12-0937 min
No Nay Never PodcastBFC Books Special Part 3This week as Christmas approaches and, more importantly, the return of club football; we are featuring 3 Burnley FC related books that would make great gifts for the Clarets in your life. In our first episode, we heard from Michael Hodkinson, author of the brilliantly titled 'No Nay Never' book on the East Lancs rivalry and in our second episode we heard from club legend, Barry Kilby who has published his memoirs, 'Starting From Scratch'. In this episode we'll be hearing from sports author & Clarets fan, Tim Quelch, who's new book, 'Northern Exposure' is a...2022-12-0934 min
Cultaholic Wrestling9 Pitches For WWE Extreme Rules 2022Tom Campbell, Andrew Hodkinson and Jack The Jobber make their 9 Pitches For WWE Extreme Rules 2022.WWE Extreme Rules 2022 Matches/Match Card:SmackDown Women's Championship -- Liv Morgan (c) vs. Ronda RouseyRaw Women's Championship -- Bianca Belair (c) vs. BayleySeth Rollins vs. Matt RiddleDrew McIntyre vs. Karrion KrossEdge vs. Finn BalorImperium vs. Brawling Brutes#WWE #ExtremeRules2022 #wweextremerules2022 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-10-051h 00
THE BOXING SHOWLiam Williams: Why I hate Chris Eubank JrAFTER an extended break, boxing returns to Britain this weekend with a tantalising domestic showdown between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams in Cardiff.Alex Steedman has a gripping deep and meaningful with Williams, who reveals the roots of the grudge with Eubank and explains how he’s learned to contain his fiery side. Alex and Matt Christie analyse the impending collision in detail and make their predictions.The other big story this week is the not so small matter of Frank Warren’s eye-watering 41-million-dollar bid to stage Tyson Fury-Dillian Whyte. And there...2022-02-021h 43
Wake Up Legendary1-12-22 - Jill Hodkinson - How CONSISTENCY Sky-Rocketed Jill To Over 130k Subscribers In LESS Than 2 MonthsOn this hump day edition of WUL, Matt sits down for a chat with Jill Hodkinson. Jill works a full time job while building her online business on the side. Today she shares how Tiktok has created a once in a lifetime opportunity for marketers, her content strategy to Tiktok, her formula for creating viral Tiktok videos, if TrendTok is worth paying for, and a lot more.2022-01-1242 min
From the Newsroom: The Observer-DispatchAl Hodkinson talks updates to the third annual OctoberfestAl Hodkinson, Community Relations Manager for F.X. Matt Brewery Co., talks about the third annual Octoberfest and what the brewery changed for this year.2018-09-3000 min
Employer Branding PodcastA Guide to Content Marketing Transparency, with Matt Hodkinson of Influence AgentsMatt Hodkinson is passionate about transparency in content marketing, so much so that I had to interview him on the topic.
Questions for Matt:
Tell us about Influence Agents and what you do?
Tell us about transparency in content marketing?
Marketing to the world of recruitment & HR - how is it different?
Do you have a step-by-step guide to success content marketing in a transparent way?
Share a campaign that you're proud of?
What’s the ROI on content marketing transparency and how do you measure it?
What technology can you not live without?
What brands and companies inspire you in...2016-12-2028 min
Happy Porch RadioEpisode #8: The Secrets of Growth Driven Design with Luke SummerfieldWelcome back to episode 8 of Happy Porch Radio. Growth Driven Design has been mentioned a couple of times on this show already - both Karl Sagas and Matt Hodkinson talked about how much impact it can have for any Agency. Luke Summerfield is the force behind Growth Driven Design at Hubspot and it is an incredible honour to have him on the show this week to tell us all about this powerful system for rethinking the traditional web design project.2016-09-1235 min
Happy Porch RadioEpisode #6: The Benefits of Growth-Driven Design with Matt HodkinsonWelcome back to episode 6 of Happy Porch Radio. In this episode, we get an incredible insight into how powerful it can be to change your agency's mindset from project-based to a more retainer-based model. Matt Hodkinson is the CEO of Influence Agents, an inbound content marketing agency. Matt very clearly articulates why you would want to follow this path, along with some very specific and actionable approaches to this model.2016-08-2227 min
Digital Marketing RadioDMR #35: Matt Hodkinson – Is there a disconnect between social and the bottom line?David: What are the most effective ways of using content marketing for lead generation? How do you qualify your leads to ensure that your list is relevant? And is there a disconnect between social and the bottom line? Those are just 3 of the questions that I intend to ask today's special guest Matt Hodkinson. Matt, welcome to DMR.
Matt: Good morning David.
David: Thanks for joining me. Matt is the founder and CEO of Influence Agents, helping IT and professional service firms generate more traffic leads and sales, using effective social media and inbound marketing strategies. So Matt, how do you deter...2014-10-1737 minDigital Marketing RadioDMR #35: Matt Hodkinson – Is there a disconnect between social and the bottom line?David: What are the most effective ways of using content marketing for lead generation? How do you qualify your leads to ensure that your list is relevant? And is there a disconnect between social and the bottom line? Those are just 3 of the questions that I intend to ask today's special guest Matt Hodkinson. Matt, welcome to DMR.
Matt: Good morning David.
David: Thanks for joining me. Matt is the founder and CEO of Influence Agents, helping IT and professional service firms generate more traffic leads and sales, using effective social media and inbound marketing strategies. So Matt, how do you deter...2014-10-1737 min