A Unique Consulting Business Growth Tool with Matty Bakkeren | Ep. 214 · Grow Your Independent Consulting Business summary

Key takeaways

Creating an inner circle of trusted advisors can provide invaluable feedback and accountability for independent consultants.
The Executive Business Review process helps consultants assess their progress and gain insights from experienced peers.
Constructive criticism from a challenge network aids in personal and professional growth.
Celebrating small wins is essential to maintaining motivation and recognizing progress.
Leveraging corporate skills and adapting them to an independent consulting environment can facilitate business success.

Summary

Introduction to the Inner Circle

In this episode of the Grow Your Independent Consulting Business Podcast, host Melissa Lieberman introduces her guest, Maddie Bakkeren, an independent consultant who discusses how he has adapted corporate strategies to his consulting practice. He emphasizes the importance of creating an 'inner circle'—trusted advisors who can provide feedback and support to help navigate the challenges of consulting. Maddie discusses a unique concept he has implemented called the Executive Business Review (EBR), through which he quarterly evaluates his business with his inner circle.

Implementing Executive Business Reviews

Maddie describes his adaptation of the corporate QBR (Quarterly Business Review) into the EBR process. This meeting format focuses on strategy, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and setting actionable plans while celebrating successes. Maddie hosts a group of advisors he has built relationships with over the years, which provides him with a perspective outside his self-reflections. These meetings not only hold him accountable but also foster collaboration and shared learning among participants.

Building a Challenge Network

Maddie explains the significance of surrounding oneself with a 'challenge network'—personally trusted individuals who offer constructive criticism and alternative perspectives. He emphasizes choosing individuals who are more skilled or experienced, pushing him to grow as a consultant. Maddie highlights that while it can be uncomfortable to receive hard truths, embracing such feedback is essential for development. He also encourages celebrating small wins during EBR sessions, reinforcing the need for positive reinforcement in a consulting career.

Personal Growth and Ongoing Learning

As Maddie continues to grow his consulting business, he acknowledges the continual learning process that accompanies this journey. He shares how the EBRs have not only guided his business decisions but also led to personal insights, such as recognizing underpricing services and the importance of his personal brand. Maddie engages his peers in discussions that stretch his thinking, refine his strategies, and enhance his decision-making capabilities, highlighting the essence of lifelong learning in consulting.

Final Recommendations for Consultants

Maddie concludes with a series of recommendations for new independent consultants, stressing the importance of building a supportive network and recognizing the invaluable tools they already possess from their corporate experiences. He advocates for establishing a clear purpose with a focus on ongoing improvement and nurturing relationships that facilitate both personal and professional growth. Maddie's journey serves as an inspiration to embrace collaboration and perspective in the independent consulting landscape.

Show notes

What if the most valuable tool in your consulting business is one you already have — and didn’t even realize?

In this episode, Matty Bakkeren joins Melisa to share his early-stage consulting business experience as an independent consultant and the strategies he uses to create momentum in his business.

From listening to this podcast in his car to building his own consulting practice — Matty gives us a grounded, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to start and grow a consulting business.

Whether you’ve just exited corporate or are considering the move, this conversation is packed with perspective, encouragement, and a few sharp truths that’ll help you build your consulting business on solid ground.

Tune in to Episode 214 for a grounded perspective and a clear takeaway: You already have more tools than you think — now it’s time to use them.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Download Your Business Dashboard One-Pager, https://www.melisaliberman.com/KPI
Episode 208 - Becoming a Client Sherpa with John Healy, https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-208/
Apply for a Coaching Exploratory call at consultmelisa.com

Timestamps for Key Moments

[03:44] – From podcast listener to guest: Maddie’s journey

[10:12] – The surprise value of a personal brand

[16:45] – Corporate skills that transfer to consulting

[22:08] – Building momentum and sharing learnings

[28:14] – Why consulting isn’t a solo sport

[33:20] – Final advice for new and aspiring consultants

Want More?

Get Melisa’s Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/book

Visit with Melisa’s Website: melisaliberman.com/

Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melisa-liberman

Full Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-214/
Connect with Matty Bakkeren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattybnl/

Want help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.

A Unique Consulting Business Growth Tool with Matty Bakkeren | Ep. 214