We’re Not Competing With AI. We’re Translating It
How Pro-Serv Firms Can Use AI to Serve Small and Mid-Sized Clients Better (Without Becoming Tech Companies)
Expertise
From Headwinds to Tailwinds: A Practical Guide for Professional Service Leaders Facing Revenue Pressure
If you run a boutique professional services firm, you’ve likely felt the ground shift under your feet: slower inbound, elongated cycles, clients insourcing, price pressure from AI, and teams stretched thin. The symptoms are familiar; the diagnosis varies. This post offers a practical, founder-friendly playbook, rooted in Greg Alexander’s The Boutique and fresh insights from fellow C54 founders, to stabilize revenue, rebuild momentum, and emerge stronger.
Why Outsourcing is a Game-Changer for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
In The Boutique by Greg Alexander, Chapter 3, “The Competitors,” introduces a critical insight: 30% of the time, boutique professional service (pro-serv) firms compete with their client’s internal resources. This was a revelation when I first read the book several years ago, and it remains a foundational truth for boutique firms providing marketing, IT, HR, accounting, or other professional services to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Expertise as Your Competitive Edge: Finding Your Niche
In the competitive landscape of boutique professional service firms, identifying and leveraging your source of competitive advantage is crucial. One potent source of competitive advantage is expertise.