Why does consulting feel so complicated?
Let's simplify this thing a bit
Services
Programming
Logistics
Strategy
There are several key components to understand when it comes to making consulting feel simpler. But first and foremost, you need a process. Why?
The #1 question we get hit with is: “What does this look like?”
This question is difficult for many of us to answer outside of the “it depends”. However, it’s next to impossible to answer without some consulting experience. This is why early on in your career it’s critical to document the delivery of your training.
How long was each workshop?
How long was an average individual session?
What were the topics we covered? What skills did I teach?
What was my participation rates? How many athletes worked with me in comparison to total team?
What this starts to crystalize into is the following:
A process you can both price and explain to a coach
When a coach asks what this looks like, it is rarely based on the actual content. Coaches do trust we know what we are talking about, so when they say, “what does this look like?” — they mean it very literally. Which is why, if you have never done something before or if you are first coming out of school, it’s next to impossible to run a successful business (it can be done, so don’t let me deter you, but as you can see there are tough questions you have to be able to answer).
Back to the point here — documenting “what you do and how you do it” can help you to start recognizing what you may want to package and deliver as a consultant. Over time, you’ll also start to recognize themes that can manifest into programming. And programming can be a terrific compliment to organic services (one on one coaching and traditional workshop services).
When a coach asks you what this looks like, you can now sit down and describe the process to deliver your support. (Today will not be a pricing conversation, but naturally your pricing conversations will get easier because you’ll have an easier time recognizing how to price your support).
THE PATH AHEAD
For those of you first starting out, this can be a great way to start getting a handle on “how you deliver” your services. You’ll start finding out what you like and don’t like, and you’ll get a better handle on how much time when into things so you can start pricing things more easily. We will revisit pricing and the role of your knowledge set in separate conversations, but today should really help to start looking at the “what and how” of consulting practices.
This Months Events
All events will be conducted via zoom. I provided the meeting ID in case the link isn’t working, so we should be all covered!
Morning Brew: Every Week 8:00 am (Mondays). Grab coffee, talk shop, and catch up.
Zoom ID: 510604214 (No Password Needed )
Link Option: Zoom Link
SIG Meeting and Social Hour: Monday 7pm CST.
Topic: Researching the Market: Consulting Considerations
Zoom ID: 510604214 (No Password Needed )
Link Option: Zoom Link
Video Resources
Curated content for a wide range of consulting needs ranging from mental skills training to business strategies:
Want more hands on?
Check-out other support options to help you navigate the field.