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Pro Serv Blogs

The Apotheosis of the Hero: Tips for getting CEOs to make Buying Decisions

As I’ve spoken with more members of Collective54 about their Go-To-Market strategy, there is a common theme. Their primary Buyers, their Heroes, are typically C-level executives, but rarely the CEO. This is true of professional services generally, as CFOs, COOs, CIOs and CHROs dominate the landscape of Buyers. Proserv firms vary in their capability to engage and stay relevant with CEOs. If you are wondering how effective your team is at engaging CEOs, there are two leading indicators to look for.

Pro Serv Blogs

Rethinking 2026 Growth Planning: Why Brands and Pro Services Firms Need a Journey-First Strategy

In a market where visibility is fractured and trust is earned in milliseconds, how you plan for growth in 2026 will determine whether you lead or fall behind.
From May through August, most executive teams, whether at brands or professional services firms, are knee-deep in building strategies and budgets for the coming year. But many are using outdated models: departmental budgets created in isolation, growth projections rooted in past performance and plans that treat customer experience as a byproduct rather than a priority.

Pro Serv Blogs

The Top 10 Business Theories Used in Product Companies and Why They Fail in Service Firms

The business world is flooded with theories that claim to drive growth, improve efficiency, and maximize profit. Many of these theories emerge from product-based companies, tech startups, manufacturing firms, and consumer goods giants, where scaling is a matter of producing and distributing more units. However, when these same theories are applied to service firms, they often fall flat. Why? Because professional services businesses operate on fundamentally different principles: expertise, client relationships, and human capital.

Pro Serv Blogs

Getting Beyond the Founder: The Modern Marketing Playbook for Professional Services Firms

Starting a professional services company can be deceptively easy. The founder’s network is a verdant hunting ground for both leads and referrals, and their mere presence is often enough to close a deal. But soon a harsh, inevitable truth dawns: without a reliable means of generating pipeline outside of the founder, the business can only go so far. And, when it relies only on the networks of few key employees, the business is also over exposed to cycles of feast or famine.

Pro Serv Blogs

A Tale of Transformation: From Cash Accounting Chaos to Accrual Clarity

In the bustling world of boutique professional service firms, where expertise and innovation drive success, there lies an often-overlooked aspect of business that can make or break even the most visionary entrepreneurs: financial management. Today, I want to share a compelling story from within the Collective 54 community—a tale that underscores the critical importance of sophisticated financial practices and how embracing expert advice can lead to transformative outcomes.

Pro Serv Blogs

The Payroll Peril-o-Meter: A Tool to Help Young Firms Survive

If you’re a founder of a young and small professional service firm, you know the constant struggle of keeping your business afloat. The late nights, the relentless pursuit of clients, and the endless worries about making payroll each month are all too familiar. But fear not, for there’s a tool that can help you navigate these treacherous waters – the Payroll Peril-o-Meter. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to this powerful tool that can be a game-changer for your business.

Pro Serv Blogs

Transforming Your Professional Service Firm’s Pricing Strategy for Success

As founders of small service firms in the US with 10-250 employees, you understand the significance of a well-crafted pricing strategy. Pricing isn’t just about setting a number; it’s about defining your firm’s value and ensuring sustainable growth. In this article, we’ll explore how a professional service firm’s pricing strategy evolves through the three lifecycle stages – Grow, Scale, and Exit, based on the framework presented in my book, “The Boutique: How to Start, Scale, and Sell a Professional Service Firm.”

Pro Serv Blogs

7 Key Diagnostic Questions to Determine If Your Firm Is a Strategy Firm or an Implementation Firm

Are you wondering whether your boutique professional service firm is a strategy firm or an implementation firm? This crucial distinction can significantly impact your business growth and operational strategy. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive diagnostic tool to help you identify your firm’s true identity. Knowing whether you’re primarily focused on strategy or implementation is crucial when aiming to scale your operations effectively.

Pro Serv Blogs

The Hyper-Specialization Strategy for Boutique Professional Service Firms in the Age of AI

Hello, I’m Greg Alexander, and I welcome you to another edition of C54 Insights, where we delve into the latest trends and strategies for boutique professional service firms. Today, we’re going to talk about a critical shift in the professional services landscape driven by the mainstream adoption of artificial intelligence and how boutique firms can regain their competitive edge.