Art of Consulting Podcast

Welcome to another episode of "The Art of Consulting Podcast" with your hosts, Andy Fry and Cat Lam. As seasoned IT consultants, CPAs, and professional development connoisseurs, we aim to bring you inspiring messages to help you discover the X factor in your professional field, leading to the success you truly deserve in your career and life. In today's episode, Andy shares an insightful experience he had while reviewing a book. When asked for feedback, he took a moment to clarify the author's expectations. This simple step made him realize the importance of understanding what type of feedback someone is seeking. As professionals, we often find ourselves in situations where others ask for our opinions or reviews, whether it's on a document, a presentation, or even a piece of code. Andy emphasizes the crucial need to inquire about the specific feedback the person is looking for. Is it content-related, structural, or just a quick once-over for errors? Without this clarity, one may end up investing time in providing feedback that the recipient doesn't want or need. Drawing parallels to his experience in sports, Andy notes that constant feedback is integral to improvement, especially in activities like sports, acting, or music. However, not every adult seeks or appreciates feedback in the same way. Andy learned that not everyone wants his opinion, and if they do, they prefer it in a particular manner. He identifies two common approaches people tend to take when giving feedback: the critic and the cheerleader. The critic tends to be harsh, focusing on pointing out flaws, while the cheerleader tends to be overly positive, often avoiding constructive criticism. Andy advises finding a balance by incorporating two positive aspects and one constructive suggestion when providing feedback. Moreover, Andy stresses the importance of ensuring that the recommended changes are feasible and can be implemented in the given context. It's vital to consider time constraints and practicality, avoiding suggestions that cannot be realistically executed. In conclusion, Andy encourages listeners to be mindful of the feedback they give, understanding that people may fall into either the critic or cheerleader categories. By providing constructive feedback in a positive manner, one can contribute to others' growth and success. Remember, three positives and one or two areas for improvement can strike the right balance. As always, keep staying awesome, keep doing your thing, and keep working hard. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider giving it five stars to help others discover it. Thank you for listening, and until next time, stay committed to your professional journey.

Welcome back to another episode of "The Art of Consulting Podcast" with your hosts, Andy Fry and Cat Lam. As seasoned IT consultants, CPAs, and enthusiasts of professional development, we are here to provide you with inspiring messages to help unlock your professional X factor and achieve the success you truly deserve in your career and life. In today's episode, Andy draws inspiration from Tim Grover, the renowned trainer of basketball legends Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Tim Grover's wisdom is centered around a powerful concept: instead of just worrying about things within your control, focus on actually controlling them. The idea is to tackle the things you can manage efficiently so that you are better equipped to handle the inevitable challenges that are beyond your control. This approach goes against the traditional advice of not worrying about the things you can't control. Andy resonates with this perspective, emphasizing that our responsibility is not just to passively accept the uncontrollable but actively prepare and deal with them. He uses the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, a situation no one could control. However, Andy points out that individuals could control their health-related habits – washing hands, getting enough sleep, exercising, and maintaining overall well-being. By managing what is within our control, we are better positioned to confront unforeseen challenges. Applying this philosophy to the consulting world, Andy highlights the role of project managers. Their primary responsibility is to control and manage the aspects of a project within their reach, creating a strong foundation to navigate the uncertainties that may arise. The key takeaway is clear: in consulting and life, focus on taking charge of the things you can control. Whether you're a project manager meticulously overseeing every detail or an individual contributor handling a specific project aspect, proactively managing your responsibilities sets the stage for success. Andy concludes by encouraging listeners to stay awesome, keep pushing forward, and remain dedicated to their hard work. Success is an ongoing journey, and by focusing on the controllable elements, we empower ourselves to tackle the unexpected with resilience and determination. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, and consider giving us a five-star rating. Your support helps others discover valuable insights from "The Art of Consulting Podcast." Until next time, keep working hard and stay unstoppable!

Episode Highlights: -Andy discusses how you establish and handle career problems. Serve clients but you also have to serve yourself. NO matter who serves our paycheck. Learn the lessons and take care of our career because it is who we are. If you look at yourself and imagine that it is your business, you always make sure to provide a solution to your business problem. You will see the opportunity in client sights, the pain that they're feeling in engagements and you will support them better.

Introduction: Welcome back to the Art of Consulting Podcast, where we explore the Having to share an opinion without being argumentative. Today, we'll delve into a thought-provoking experience from John Wooden and how he's ways and approach from sports is being used in business. Episode Highlights: -John Wooden - caoch basketball best of all time. He have the best way of managing people and approaching problems and looking at things in a different way. "You can disagree without being disagreeable." -Conversations don't have to become confrontational when you disagree with somebody. -Our host shares a personal experience of situations where he encounters situations that he needs to disagree - like an approach or decision in a project. -Differentiated the Consultant and a contractor - consultants give solutions, plans and recommendations and from that they are open to agreeing and disagreeing situations. - To solve a problem, we need to put effort on finding a solution and come up with some level of knowledge in that problem. Be open on conflicting ideas. Its important to let other people to work it through the problem and host said that being open, you're allowing other answer to the problem and there's always more answer to a one problem. - Worked up and agitated self put yourself on mute. GIve yourself some time and some moment slow things down. - You are not there to make friends.Host shares that he does have problems with creating a boundary with clients.The most important thing is to treat each other with respect. Conclusion: As we conclude this episode of the Art of Consulting Podcast, we leave you with a powerful reminder: There are more solutions to one problem. Having an open mind to other conflicting ideas will establish a healthy relationship between you and the client. Thank you for joining us today on the Art of Consulting Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. We look forward to sharing more valuable insights in our upcoming episodes. Until next time!

Introduction: Welcome back to the Art of Consulting Podcast, where we explore the intersections of sports and business. Today, we'll delve into a thought-provoking experience from this summer, involving our host's daughter and her track and field journey. Through this story, we'll uncover valuable lessons about competition, sportsmanship, and striving for excellence. Episode Highlights: Lessons from Track and Field: • Our host's daughter participated in the US track Nationals, competing in multiple events, including high jump. • Despite coming in ranked first, she finished fifth in the competition, sparking reflections on competition and results. Acknowledging Excellence: • Our host shares a personal experience of neglecting to congratulate the winning athlete and her parents immediately after the high jump event. • This missed opportunity highlighted the importance of recognizing and respecting the accomplishments of others. The Competitive Landscape: • In both sports and business, competition is a constant presence. • Competing against accomplished individuals can push us to prepare better, acknowledge the process, and understand that results are not always within our control. Accepting Results and Maturity: • Accepting competition results, whether favorable or not, is a sign of maturity. • Learning to gracefully handle both success and setbacks is crucial for personal growth and development. Embracing the Journey: • Competition serves as a valuable tool for personal improvement. • Recognizing that competing against strong opponents makes us better can lead to a more resilient and mature approach to life's challenges. The Power of Congratulation: • Congratulating competitors and colleagues on their achievements demonstrates maturity and sportsmanship. • Building positive relationships in competitive environments can lead to better collaboration and growth. Conclusion: As we conclude this episode of the Art of Consulting Podcast, we leave you with a powerful reminder: competition is a part of life, whether in sports or business. Embracing competition with maturity, recognizing the accomplishments of others, and striving for personal growth are essential elements of success. Keep being awesome, and remember that competition is not just about winning; it's about the journey and the lessons learned along the way. Thank you for joining us today on the Art of Consulting Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. We look forward to sharing more valuable insights in our upcoming episodes. Until next time!

Title: The Power of Helping Others: A Journey of Transformation Episode Highlights: Starting from Humble Beginnings: • In 1993, after graduating from college, our host found himself working as an operations supervisor for a furniture retailer. • His responsibilities included managing the warehouse, office tasks like invoicing and sales processing, customer service, and deliveries. • The challenges of customer service and frequent delivery mishaps were draining, and he questioned his long-term career prospects. A Chance Encounter with Marjorie: • Marjorie, a colleague, saw potential in our host and introduced him to a life-changing opportunity. • Marjorie's brother, a vice president at Oracle, needed someone for a crucial role during maternity leave. • Our host's journey into the world of Oracle began, opening doors to a new career path. Lessons from Mentors: • Throughout his consulting career, our host had the privilege of being mentored by experienced professionals. • These mentors accelerated his learning curve, offering invaluable insights and guidance. The Importance of Giving Back: • Our host and his co-host, Cat, started their podcast with a mission to share their knowledge and experiences. • They emphasize the significance of helping others when the opportunity arises, even in small ways. • Personal experiences have shown that helping others can lead to life- changing transformations. Ethical Help: • The story of a colleague's unethical request reminds us that genuine help should be unconditional. • Manipulative tactics should be avoided when seeking or offering assistance. • The act of helping should come from a place of sincerity and empathy. The Ripple Effect: • Our host challenges listeners to make a difference in others' lives by offering support and seeking help when needed. • Life and career choices are influenced by the choices we make and the choices others make for us. • Giving back and being open to helping others can lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life. Conclusion: As we conclude this episode of Art of Consulting Podcast, we are reminded of the profound impact that helping others can have on our lives. The story of our host's journey from a furniture retailer to a successful consultant showcases how one person's kindness can change the course of another's career. Remember, being a giver, not a taker, can lead to a more meaningful and interconnected world. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in future episodes. Thank you for joining us today on Art of Consulting Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Keep spreading kindness, and we'll talk to you soon!

**Podcast Title:** "Mastering ERP Implementation: Insights from an OCM Expert" **Show Notes:** **Introduction:** In this episode of Art of Consulting, we dive deep into the world of ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) implementation with a focus on Organizational Change Management (OCM). Our special guest, Frederique Oberlin, an OCM extraordinaire with 18+ years of experience, shares invaluable insights and wisdom gained from various ERP projects. **Episode Highlights:** 1. **Understanding Organizational Change Management (OCM):** - Frederique defines OCM as the people side of a software implementation, emphasizing the importance of bringing employees along the project journey from the beginning rather than surprising them with a new system at the end. 2. **Challenges in ERP Implementation:** - The conversation highlights how employees sometimes create their own processes outside of the ERP system, known as "shadow IT," due to various reasons like system limitations or lack of training. 3. **Measuring Success in ERP Implementation:** - Frederique discusses key metrics for measuring success, such as assessing training effectiveness, tracking post-Go Live support tickets, and ensuring users are adopting the system as intended. 4. **Proactive Change Management:** - The importance of proactive change management is emphasized, including the concept of the ADKAR journey (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) and how it aids in preparing employees for change. 5. **Hypercare:** - Hypercare, the critical period immediately following Go Live, is explained as a time when additional support is crucial. Frederique shares strategies like deploying super users and providing a human presence for support, both in-person and virtually. 6. **Leadership's Role in OCM:** - Frederique advises leaders to engage in candid conversations with OCM experts, understanding the expectations and requirements for communication, training, and support. Leaders' active involvement in training can significantly impact the success of the project. **Conclusion:** Organizational Change Management is a vital aspect of any ERP implementation, and proactive planning, effective training, and leadership involvement are key to a successful transition. We appreciate Frederique Oberlin for sharing her expertise on this essential topic. Connect with her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederique-oberlin-86251712/ Stay tuned for more insightful episodes of Art of Consulting as we continue to explore the world of ERP and business transformation.

Welcome to the Art of Consulting, your go-to source for expert insights on mastering ERP success. Today we have a special guest with us, Andy, a highly experienced ERP consultant with over 25 years in the industry. In this episode, Andy shares invaluable insights into ensuring ERP project success. He emphasizes the importance of defining clear success metrics from the outset and keeping the project team aligned with a shared mission. Andy also highlights the critical need for project teams, both internal and external, to deeply understand the core business of the organization they are working with. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: 1. **Defining Success Metrics:** Andy stresses the significance of defining what success looks like for your ERP project. He suggests moving beyond generic statements like "on time, on budget, within scope" and instead encourages creating a detailed and tangible definition of success. 2. **Shared Mission:** Establishing a clear project mission statement and ensuring everyone understands why the project is being undertaken is vital. Andy draws parallels with real-life examples, emphasizing the importance of everyone rowing in the same direction. 3. **Understanding the Business:** Whether you're an internal employee or an external consultant, understanding the core business of the organization is crucial. Andy explains that it's not just about what the business sells but identifying the primary revenue-generating functions and optimizing around them. By the end of this episode, you'll have a deeper understanding of the key factors that contribute to ERP project success and how to apply these insights to your own projects. So, if you're ready to master ERP success, stay tuned and let's dive into this enlightening conversation with Andy. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get more expert insights on ERP and other related topics. Thank you for joining us, and enjoy the episode!

"Ignite Your Mind: The Power of Active Exploration" Welcome to another episode of "Art of Consulting" with Andy and Kat. Today, we're diving deep into the transformative magic of active exploration and the incredible ways it can spark creativity and open your mind. In our previous episode, we touched upon the concept of creativity and how engaging in novel activities can create new synaptic connections in your brain. But today, we're going to delve even further into this fascinating subject. One key takeaway from our previous discussions is the importance of active participation. It's one thing to be a passive observer and witness something new, which can certainly have an impact on your mind. However, it's an entirely different experience when you actively participate in something kinetically. This hands-on approach not only accelerates your learning but also deepens your understanding. So, why is active participation so crucial? Well, it helps you develop new learning pathways and skills that you might not encounter in your daily routine. For example, we discussed how trying out activities like parkour can introduce you to unique coaching styles and learning methods, which can be incredibly valuable when you're in a consulting role. Different clients and industries often require diverse approaches, and the ability to adapt and pivot is a hallmark of successful consultants. Another important aspect of active exploration is the willingness to embrace new experiences without the expectation of perfection. Many adults tend to stifle their interests and curiosities because they're afraid of not being good at something right away. However, it's essential to let go of the need to excel from the start. Remember, it's okay to make mistakes and learn as you go along. Finally, we encourage you to reconnect with your passions and interests, even if they don't align with your current career path. Whether you've always been intrigued by cars, fascinated by butchering techniques, or simply curious about a wide range of topics, there's no harm in exploring these interests for the sheer joy of learning. You might just uncover a hidden talent or a source of happiness you never expected. So, in summary, keep your mind open and receptive to new experiences, actively engage in activities that pique your interest, don't be discouraged by initial imperfections, and remember that exploring your passions is a worthy endeavor in itself.

Introduction: In this podcast episode, hosts Andy and Cat dive deep into the significance of rest for self-employed consultants. They discuss the mental and financial aspects of taking breaks, setting rates, and building a sustainable consulting career. Whether you're a seasoned consultant or considering a career in consulting, this episode offers valuable insights to help you achieve a balanced and prosperous consulting lifestyle. Episode Highlights: 1. **The Need for Rest (00:02:20)** - Andy and Cat emphasize the importance of taking breaks, even for self-employed consultants. - They draw parallels between consultants and athletes, highlighting the necessity of rest and recovery in both fields. - Cat shares her personal experience of feeling recharged after taking a break and how it positively impacted her mindset. 2. **Visualizing Success (00:11:45)** - The hosts discuss the power of visualization and the effectiveness of vision boards. - Cat shares a story about how visualizing a reward helped her stay motivated during a challenging project. - They stress the idea that having a clear vision of your goals can provide the mental energy needed to overcome obstacles. 3. **Financial Planning for Consultants (00:21:05)** - Andy and Cat delve into the financial aspect of being a consultant. - They suggest calculating your hourly bill rate by considering factors like sick days, vacation time, and taxes. - Cat recommends basing your calculations on ten months of work per year and accounting for potential downtime. 4. **Setting a Floor Rate (00:28:45)** - The hosts explain the concept of a floor rate, which represents the minimum rate needed to maintain your desired lifestyle. - They emphasize the importance of factoring in expenses like taxes, insurance, and savings into your consulting rate. - Cat underscores that setting a realistic floor rate is crucial for long-term financial stability. 5. **Balancing Work and Personal Interests (00:35:15)** - Andy and Cat discuss the significance of cultivating personal interests and hobbies outside of work. - They stress that finding productive and enjoyable activities can lead to personal growth and a more fulfilling life. - Cat highlights the importance of trying new things to stimulate mental growth and well-being. Conclusion: In this episode, Andy and Cat stress the importance of rest, financial planning, and personal growth for self-employed consultants. They encourage listeners to prioritize mental and physical well-being, visualize their goals, and set realistic financial expectations. Balancing work and personal interests is key to building a successful and fulfilling consulting career.

In this episode, you will understand the worth of taking the time to be with high performers. Andy talks about the observations made on the effect of spending time with high performers and low performers, which definitely has an effect. Tune in and gain tips on how to find and productively spend time with high performers, and reap the benefits of growth personally and professionally. Quotes: "When We Spend Time With People Who Are Successful In Whatever It Is They're Doing, We Are Going To Be More Likely Successful." "Extroverts, Be Careful Who You Spend Time With, Sometimes Our Need To Regenerate Our Energy, We Search For Anybody." "We Want To Make Sure That We Are Emulating The Right People And Spending Time With The Right People In The Right Areas That We Want To Actually Improve." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Observations Around Spending Time With High Performers (03:42) Catching Ourselves When We're The Negative Person In The Room (05:48) Finding High Performers Around You (06:40) Introverts Vs. Extroverts (08:23) Being Careful How And Who You Spend Your Time With (10:51) Spending Time With The Right People In The Right Areas That We Want To Improve (11:32) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shares his thought about the value of being intentional in using social media. He talks about how the social media's algorithm feeds us with suggestions that are sometimes counterproductive and how consuming those harms us over the long term. Learning to be intentional about what you're watching on social media will keep you from being fed information that is not helpful. Make sure to check out this episode. Quotes: "The Issue I Have With It Is That It's [Social Media] Telling Us What We Should Watch. And It's Telling Us, And In Many Cases, How We Should Behave." "We Have To Be Very Intentional About What We Choose." "When We Look At Things, We Have To Ask Ourselves, Is This Serving Us? Is This Just A Time Killer? Or Is It Something That Is Actually Going To Harm Us?" "Small Doses Of Counterproductive Information Harms Us, It Harms Us Over The Long Term." "Be Very Careful About What It Is That You Look For, Where You Spend Your Time. And What You Scan For When You're Using Social Media." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) How Instagram Or Social Media Algorithm Works (02:51) Being Fed All Sorts Of Suggestions On Social Media (05:42) We Have To Be Intentional About What We Choose To Watch (07:16) The Algorithm Is Watching Us (07:56) Intentionality Is Awareness (08:16) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we are with Cat and Andy, helping us see more of the value of knowing and being able to focus on our main business. We have different roles between our work and personal lives, and some consultants have multiple clients. This is why it is essential for us to be able to stay efficient in these roles and get things done. Tune in and get pro tips on productivity that will surely amp up your efficiency. Quotes: "People Will Talk About Priorities, And They'll Say We Got To Prioritize… But That Means Something Has To Be Less Important And You've Got To Put That On The Backburner. And I Don't Think We Should Feel Guilty About Those Things." "When You Have To Get This Much Stuff Done In A Period Of Time, You, Honestly, Almost Magically Find A Way To Do It." "One Of The Productivity Hacks, If You Will, Is To Find Focus Time." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Scheduling Through In Your Calendars (05:41) Taking Care Of Our Main Focus First (10:37) Not Falling Behind On Things (11:51) Finding Efficient Ways To Get Your Priority Tasks Done (17:42) Blocking Focus Times (23:08) Being Very Concise To Maximize Time (28:48) The Simpler, The Better (33:36) Productivity Pro Tips (36:08) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shares an insight about trending and how it should not be the basis of the next outcome. He talks about the power of making a wise decision regardless of the trend you're seeing and making your future independent of who you are yesterday. Listen in and learn what you can do to take that needed pivot leading to the future you aspire for. Quotes: "Our Lives Are Not Dependent On Our Past. Our Past Is Our Past. What Happened Yesterday Is What Happened Yesterday." "Who We Are Today Is Independent Of Who We Were Yesterday." "You Can Do It Right, You Can Make Those Changes. If You're Trending In A Direction That You Don't Like, Today Is The Day To Make That Change." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) What Is Trending (04:17) Believing That We Are Being Stuck In A Trend (05:32) We Have A Choice (07:06) Today Is The Day To Make The Change (08:02) Doing Your Best To Resolve Your Debts (10:01) You Can Change The Trend (11:57) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, you will understand why knowledge isn't always power. Andy explains the difference between knowing how to do something and being actually able to do something because the power only lies in how that knowledge is being applied or practiced to be able to benefit from the results. Tune in now and be encouraged to build upon each success you reach as you execute and act on the information you have. Quotes: "Knowledge is only good if we can actually use it to some benefit, and for some purpose." "We have to go out and actually put these things into practice. Otherwise, it's anecdotal information." "Sometimes as consultants, we think that because we know something, therefore, we can go out and just teach it or we can go out and execute it. The execution part is a lot different than the knowing part." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) knowing how to do something vs. being able to do something (04:56) The importance of being able to put our knowledge into practice (08:08) Putting our knowledge into practice (11:04) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Andy talk about ghosting, some effects it has on people, and why we should avoid doing it to others. Ghosting shows unprofessionalism and may damage our personal, professional, or business relationships. Hit the play button and know how to avoid doing it and what to do if we're ghosted. Quotes: "Vanishing Is Just Not Cool In My Book, It's Not Professional, [And] It Doesn't Show Respect To The Other Individual." "The Ghosting Piece Has An Effect On People… People Feel Neglected, They Feel Ignored. It Doesn't Feel Good. So, This Is Something We Want To Avoid." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Ghosting Back In The Days (05:32) Ghosting In Business Is Not Cool (10:54) Ghosting's Effects On People (11:13) What To Do If We're Ghosted (14:01) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy unmasks the imposter syndrome and presents the positive effects it can bring us. You will learn how to identify it by looking at the symptoms and know the steps on how you can harness this state of mind to make it work for your advantage. So, listen in now and enjoy the episode! Quotes: "I Think That Giving Anxiety, A Name, Like The Imposter Syndrome, Is Giving It Life." "That Anxiety Is An Awareness Of The Gap Between Who We Are And Who We Want To Be. And This Self-Awareness Tells Us That We're Not Fully Competent. And This Motivates Us Towards Mastery." "If We Accept That Anxiety As A Gift, We Can Use It. But If We Don't, If We Look At It As A Curse Or Something That's Bad, And We Try To Run Away From It, We'll Regress." "Fools Do Not Feel That Anxiety Generated From The Imposter Syndrome." "The Power Doesn't Come From Labeling This Anxiety As Negative And Then Dismissing It Or Hiding From It. The Power Comes From Labeling This Anxiety As A Competence Gap, And Then Addressing It." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Facing The Pressure Of Getting Kicked Off A Project (04:24) Working Hard With Humility (06:09) The Imposter Syndrome (08:52) The Imposter Syndrome As A Blessing (10:47) Driving Toward Competence (13:30) Fools Do Not Feel That Anxiety Generated From The Imposter Syndrome (14:42) Labeling Anxiety As A Competence Gap (16:27) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy helps you see the importance of looking through your expenses and knowing where all those small expenses go because small spending can affect your cash flow and how you operate as a consultant. So, tune in now and learn how to responsibly monitor your expenses. Quotes: "It's More Important That We Be Aware Of Our Spending And Make A Conscious Choice Around It." "The Way You Spend Your Money Is Going To Affect How You Operate As A Consultant." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Looking At The Small Expenses You Make (02:36) Being Responsible With Your Expenses As A Consultant (04:21) How To Responsibly Monitor Your Expenses (09:27) Your Spending Affects How You Operate As A Consultant (10:41) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy talks about the challenges of having some freedom on how to go about your workday, especially as a consultant. People usually get trapped in the struggle to get going on a task but Andy gives practical tips on how to pull yourself out of being stuck and effectively accomplish your tasks for the day. So, make sure to listen in and get this nugget that will surely help you boost your productivity. Quotes: "One Of The Things That I Had To Do Was Parent Myself And Tell Myself, 'You're Going To Sit Down And Do That Work And Do It Now.'" "I Had A Lot More Energy To Study Than I Ever Thought I Could If I Managed My Time Right." "Use The Technology For You, Don't Let The Technology Use You." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Challenges Of Having Some Freedom Of How To Go About Your Workday (03:07) Looking At How Work Looks Like In A Factory (06:14) The Struggle To Get Going On A Task (07:16) How To Get Going On Your Tasks (10:57) Parenting Ourselves (12:27) Be Very Aware Of The Distractions On The Phone (13:56) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, you will understand what empathy really is and how it can help you become better at serving your clients. Andy explains why it is hard to do and what it requires but he also shows how it can greatly impact your relationships with your clients. Check out this episode now and enjoy! Quotes: "If Our Intent Is To Serve Another Person, Empathy Allows Us To Respond Appropriately. It Allows Us To Be Successful In Our Relationships." "When We Start To Empathize With Another Person, We Start To Understand Them More Deeply, As Opposed To Just Coming In And Thinking, We Have The Answer To Them." "Empathy Requires Honesty. And Without It, The Response Is, It's Patronizing. It's When There's Honesty Without Empathy, It Can Be Delivered As Rude And Blunt And Abrasive." "Trusted Advisors, They Don't Operate In A Transactional World With Their Clients. They Operate By Feeling What Their Clients Feel And Delivering Like They're Solving Their Own Problems." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Clients Are Looking For Results, Not Empathy (02:04) What Empathy Really Is (05:25) Empathy Allows Us To Respond Appropriately (07:11) Being Able To Understand The Clients More Deeply (09:05) Empathy Requires Honesty (10:22) Why Is Empathy So Hard? (13:34) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Andy share about what having vices can lead us into and how to deal with them. He explained some reasons why people fall into bad habits and gave practical tips on how we can deal with it and eventually eliminate the habit. Listen in now and enjoy keeping your life productive and reaching the levels of success that you are aiming for. Quotes: "Being Successful Is Being, First Of All, Aware Of It [Vices], But Also Being Able To Put Things In Place To Control It." "Boredom Is A Great Driver Towards Executing Our Vices." "We Have To Find Different Things To Replace That Vice With." "Vices, Even If It's Just Diving Into The Vices Even From A Perspective Of Entertainment, Or Spending Time Or 'I'm Bored', It Can Lead Into A Very Counterproductive Life." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) The Four Traditional Vices (02:09) Most People Who Were Really Successful Don't Have Vices (05:10) Being Aware And Being Able To Deal With Vices (06:49) Boredom Is A Driver Toward Vices (08:12) Finding Good Habits To Replace The Vice With And Identifying The Triggers (10:23) Surrounding Yourself With People Who Are Living A Life That You Want To Emulate (11:19) Visualizing Ourselves Being Successful (12:21) Vices Can Lead To A Counterproductive Life (14:27) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shows us the importance of preparedness, especially for events that could cause a significant impact on our businesses and in life. He discusses that sometimes, we use the terms like 'unprecedented' or 'out of our control' as a dismissive way of saying that we're actually not prepared. So, listen in and learn how to prepare for the "known unknowns" that will save you from facing even larger complications as a result. Quotes: "We Use These Terms Like 'unprecedented' Or 'out Of Our Control' As A Dismissive Way Of Saying That We're Not Prepared." "Nearsightedness And Focusing On Short-Term Timeframes Excludes Events That Are Cyclical Over Long Periods. This Can Trigger Dramatic Reaction To Events And Grandiose Delusions That Were The First To Encounter This Experience." "Having Solid Plans For Catastrophic Events Must Be In Place Prior To Those Events Occurring." "Even Though There's A Low Likelihood Of These Events Occurring, There Has To Be The Same Responsibility, And Drive To Prepare For Events That Have A High Cost As Much As The Drive To Prepare For Events That Have A High Gain." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) No Plan In Place For Unprecedented Circumstances (05:36) Unknown Unknown Vs. Known Unknown (08:49) The Truth Is We Are Not Prepared (10:48) Having Solid Plans For Catastrophic Events Must Be In Place (11:25) How To Prepare For The Known Unknowns (13:41) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Andy talk about a crucial part of consulting, and that is making sure you understand the factors that will help you set and achieve your target revenue. Here, he explains what utilization is and to compute it. He also talks about a few more factors to look into to make sure you are on the right track to hitting your consulting revenue target. So, go ahead and hit play to check out this episode. Quotes: "Consulting, Overall, Is Not A Great Business To Be In, Or A Great Career For Someone Who Does Not Want To Work. If You Want To Work, Consulting Is A Fantastic Career… It Can Be Lucrative. There's Great Work, It's Rewarding." "Have In Your Mind, Your Utilization, When You Work Because The Utilization Is Really The Target." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) It Is Crucial For Consultants To Know The Math Of Consulting (03:38) A Simple Part Of Your Revenue - Your Rate (05:32) Computing Your Utilization (08:44) Consulting Is For Those Who Want To Work (10:52) Make Sure To Consider The Different Factors (12:17) Capped Hours (14:04) Working On Multiple Projects (15:30) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy explained how customers want us when they need us, and not when we show them that we need them. Investing your time or resources in your clients/customers will build that trust that will open opportunities for both you and them. Listen in and know some tips on how you can invest in your clients and build that relationship on shared interests. Quotes: "When We Invest Time, And We Invest Our Attention Into Each Other, That's When That Community Is Built." "Customers Don't Want Us When We Need Them. Customers Want Us When They Need Us." "When We Invest With Each Other, In The End, There Isn't A Need For A Call To Action." "Shared Interests Are Reinforced When Investment Occurs. When Nothing Is Expected From The Other Party, That Investment Builds The Community." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Community Is Built When We Invest In Each Other (04:22) The Hotel Booked Had Closed (07:53) Customers Want Us When They Need Us (09:49) Invest In Your Clients/Customers (11:07) How To Invest In Your Clients (12:02) Investing Even When You Don't Feel Like It (13:22) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy discusses the benefits of being familiar with some aspects of the client's business and the challenges they're facing, especially the new ones. This will help reduce the stress brought by the unknowns and strongly presents your credibility. Check out this episode now and know the things that you can do to gain familiarity that will surely help reduce stress in meeting your new clients. Quotes: "When You Go To See A Client, Do Everything You Can To Get Familiar With The Surroundings To Reduce That Stress." "When You Find Those Challenges, You're Able To Come In With Some More Information To Better Serve That Client." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Familiarity Reduces The Stress (03:01) Things You Can Do To Reduce The Stress Through Familiarity With A Client's Physical Location (06:14) Things You Can Do To Reduce The Stress Through Familiarity With A Remote Work Setup (09:15) Taking The Time And Effort To Have Some Level Of Familiarity, Especially With A New Client (10:08) Researching The Challenges The Client Is Facing (11:11) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Cat and Andy converse about the value of having a growth mindset as opposed to a fixed mindset. They looked into different situations where people may be able to have opportunities to step into growth, and shared things you can do to help foster a growth mindset and set yourself up for continuous development and success. Make sure to listen in as they delve into principles you can reflect on and apply to yourself, and step into your next level of growth. Quotes: "I've Started To Try To Challenge Myself, Which Is Difficult In A World Where I Want To Have The Answers, It Makes Me Feel Good, It Makes Me Feel Smart, Is To Stop And Start Asking Questions." "A Way Into A Fixed Mindset Is That When We Get Little Bits Of Information, We Think We Know A Lot When Really We Don't Know That Much." "Remove Those Constraints And Start Looking At How We Solve The Problem. Whatever That Solution Ends Up Being, Then We'll Work Through It." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) The Old Dog Learned Some New Tricks (07:05) It's Not One Or The Other (08:42) Bringing In Resources To Help You Compensate For Your Weaknesses (15:31) Different Times, Different Needs (19:32) Keeping A Growth Mindset Even After Reaching Success (20:24) Quick Growth Or Fixed Mindset Self-Quiz (21:57) Stop And Ask More Questions (29:07) How To Dig Deeper Into Things (30:52) Finding Your Purpose Again (31:52) 'Fixed Mindset' As Opposed To 'Growth Mindset' (33:58) Removing The Constraints (34:48) How To Foster A Growth Mindset (38:09) Passion Can Come In Different Ways (39:17) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shares the insights he learned from a bird that comes and taps on his window every day. He talks about the value of being committed but at the same time making sure that our efforts are not wasted on something that is not aligned with our purpose and goals. Tune in now and know how to avoid the frustration brought by wasted time, skills, and effort. Quotes: "We [Would] Have To Ask The Question, 'is What We're Doing Aligned With Our Goals?'" "Are We Getting The Right Advice From The Right People? Because We Can Get Advice From Anybody." "We Have To Be Very Intentional About What We're Being Rewarded With, And Making Sure That The Rewards That We're Getting, The Compensation We're Getting, Whatever Those Are, Serves Us. It's Not Hindering Us And Holding Us Back." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) The Bird That Comes And Taps On The Window Every Day (02:49) Being Committed (04:42) Putting A Lot Of Effort Into Something That We Don't Know If We're Getting The Results (05:29) Is What We're Doing Aligned With Our Purpose And Goals? (05:58) Is It A Good Use Of Our Time? (07:33) Is It A Good Use Of Your Skills? (08:41) Are You Getting The Right Advice? (10:00) What Is The Reward? (13:36) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Andy speak about figuring out options on how to solve our problem. Sometimes, advice coming from others would not sit well with us, regardless of whether it's actually the right thing to do or not, because of our current emotions about the problem or some other reasons. So, listen in and learn this trick on how we can give advice to ourselves and provide options on how to solve our problem and get through it. Quotes: "If We Can Work Through It, And Say, 'what Advice Would We Give To Someone Else Who Was In The Same Position,' We Often Are, At That Point, Very Clear On What The Advice Should Be For Ourselves." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:20) Our Innate Fear When Obstacles Present Themselves Bigger Or Higher (03:14) What Advice Would You Give Others (04:43) How We Can Give Advice To Ourselves (06:35) We All Go Through Challenges (07:56) Giving Ourselves Options On How To Solve Our Problem (09:05) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shares insights on giving up on being right. We all have some experiences where meetings get heated up because of different ideas that are being pushed, especially for some level of personal agenda. Here, he explains what "giving up on being right" means and what it looks like in consulting. Listen in now and get tips on how you can be able to give up on being right and focus on delivering what is best for the client. Quotes: "If We're The One That Really Starts To Dig Our Heels In When We Want To Be The One That's Right, One Option Is To Give Up On Being Right, Give Up On Being The One That's Right." "When I Talk About Giving Up On Being Right… It Really Means Approaching The Problem And Presenting Our Problems A Little Bit Differently Than Maybe What We Have In The Past." "One Of The Things We Want To Do Is [We Want] To Make Sure That We Get It Right Without A Whole Bunch Of Conflict." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) The Push To Be Right That Comes With The Job (03:22) What "Giving Up On Being Right" Means (05:37) Doing Your Homework Before Presenting Your Options And Recommendations (07:47) Listening To Others, Having Patience (09:04) Being Open To New Ideas And Staying Calm (10:50) Avoid Politicking After The Meeting (13:52) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we are with Cat and Andy as they talk about one focus point that will bring more opportunities to your profession and business. They discuss that there are things that are never going to change and when you focus on continuously improving on them, it will open doors of growth and success. They also shared 3 things that you can do to be more customer-centric and be able to act on things that will never change, so click the play button now and tune in. Quotes: "Instead Of Focusing On The Things That Will Change, Focus Your Attention On The Things That Are Never Going To Change." "Problems Are Always Opportunities To Build That Trust With A Client Because Things Are Not Going To Go 100% Perfect." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Focusing On The Things That Will Never Change In Your Business (10:24) What Are The Things That Will Not Change (15:57) Problems Are Always Opportunities To Build Your's Trust (18:06) It's A Must To Be Customer-Centric (25:53) How Do We Look At The Problems And Find The Opportunity (32:22) 3 Things You Can Do To Be More Customer-Centric And Be Able To Act On Things That Will Never Change (36:45) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Cat and Andy discuss how our technology greatly grew, like artificial intelligence, and how it will disrupt entrepreneurship and our community as a whole. They shared how being open-minded about it instead of fearing it can bring opportunities. It may bring huge changes but keeping an open eye on these shifting opportunities will keep you on track for professional and business growth. Listen in and learn how to keep up with the growing AI technology and flow with the opportunities it brings. Quotes: "In the area of this exponentially fast-moving technology or technology growth, there is a tremendous opportunity for you, or [for] any entrepreneur, to be able to serve their community and make a really great business out of it." "It's going to eliminate jobs as we know [it] but there's still going to be other things that it evolves into. And that's where the opportunity is." "You just have to really keep an open eye and see what's out there." "It isn't just about blasting it to everybody, it's about being very aware of who it is that you serve." "The technology is really only good if a human being is going to use it or can use it." "You can find different uses for AI to benefit humanity… benefit a niche, a service that can make a person's life better, I think that is never going to go away." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) AI is coming into fruition faster than expected (06:58) Technology growth brings great opportunities for entrepreneurship and service to the community (11:46) The fear of AI replacing humans to do the jobs (15:37) Keeping an open eye to find the opportunity (20:09) Knowing who you serve (21:59) Being open-minded about the technology growth to find that opportunity (32:36) Finding different uses for AI to benefit a niche (33:33) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Cat and Andy talk about setting your goals early for next year. As the saying "A great morning starts the night before" goes, a great year starts a month or two before. They share stories that show how planning and goal-setting greatly help in manifesting the things you want in your life. Tune in now and learn the top 3 things to keep in mind when you're goal-setting for this coming year 2023! Quotes: "A Great Morning Starts The Night Before. Well, A Great Year Starts Perhaps A Month Before Or A Little Bit [Of Time] Before The Year Actually Starts." "What Kind Of Thoughts [You Are] Putting In Your Subconscious [Is Really Going To Be Determining] Your Reality In The Future." "We Definitely Don't Want To Taint Our Goals Because We Feel The Need To Brag, And Possibly Damage It." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Early Goal Setting For The Next Year (05:26) The Thoughts You Put Into Your Subconscious Mind Determine Your Reality In The Future (11:26) Manifesting Things Into Your Life (17:41) Two Ways You Can Emit And Maintain Positive Energy (22:06) Be Careful With Who You Share Your Goals Because They Need To Be Protected (30:11) Top 3 Most Salient Things To Keep In Mind When You're Goal Setting (32:32) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy gives emphasis on being thoughtful with our responses on social media. We all had that experience where we said some things that we shouldn't have and that is what we want to avoid because this can greatly affect your reputation that is connected with your career or business. So, listen in and learn practical tips on how to give enough thought before posting your response and keep your presence positive, especially on social media. Quotes: "Be Very Aware Of How We Want To Respond Because This Impacts Our Reputation And How Others See Us." "Sometimes You Want To Kind Of Get Into That Deep Debate… But You Want To Make Sure That You Know Why You're Doing It And The Time That It's Going To Take To Engage In That. And Make Sure That You're Doing The Right Thing For You, And The Right Thing For Your Reputation And Your Own Business." "I Encourage People To Engage With People, Especially On Linkedin… Because That Really Builds Your Network And Really Shows People Who You Are, Just Be Very Thoughtful In How You Do It." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Saying Things That We Shouldn't Have (03:31) Being Thoughtful When Responding On Social Media (05:12) Knowing Why You Feel The Need To Respond (08:35) Putting Some Good Thoughts Into Our Responses (10:20) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Cat and Andy insightfully talk about the essence of thoughtfully choosing your associations. As the famous adage says, "You are the average of the top five people that you hang out with the most." They also talked about the concept of having a thermostat, and how relationships vary in length and levels. Listen in and by the end of the episode, you will learn one technique you can use to build your mastermind group to achieve the person you want to be. Quotes: "The People [That] You're Associating With Are Going To Influence How You Move Forward." "We Feel, At Least, Balanced In The Sense That We're Choosing The Space That We're In, And We're Choosing The People That We're With. So, It's Very Important That We're The Ones That Are Doing That Selecting." "Being Very Selective Of Who You Let In, And Almost Realizing If It Doesn't Work, Trying To Figure Out Why It Doesn't Work." "Various Relationships Are Going To Have Varying Lengths. And It Just Depends On The Type Of Person That You Would Like To Be." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Being Selective In Building Your Circle Of Influence (02:33) You Are The Associations You Have (06:15) You Can Also Be Influenced By People Who Wrote A Book (08:16) The Concept Of Having A Thermostat (11:28) You Choose Who You Let In (19:09) Relationships Are Of Varying Lengths (24:31) Being Able To Say No (26:09) Looking Into The Different Levels Of Your Network (28:41) Building Your Mental Mastermind Group (33:37) Being Very Aware That You Want To Achieve (35:10) Form Your Mental Mastermind Group Challenge (36:13) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy talks about the importance of building your network in the consulting world and shares his experience with two different people who tried to connect with him on LinkedIn. Then, he shares different ways you can initiate connecting with people. How you approach someone, especially at a professional level, will greatly affect the kind of response you will get. So, check out this episode for tips on how to effectively reach out to people and initiate a connection. Quotes: "We're Looking For Common [Interests] Or Complementary Interests [That] We're Trying To Connect With. That's The Whole Thing With Networking." "We're Keeping It Professional Yet Personal In The Sense That You Are Recognizing The Person." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Connecting To People Is Essential In The Consulting World (02:48) The Story Of Two People That Connected With Andy On Linkedin (08:05) Different Ways You Can Approach Connecting With People (11:20) Looking For Common Or Complementary Interests (14:04) Keeping It Professionally Personal (15:11) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shares about important an principle that we can learn from a homerun king. He talked about some baseball homerun records and looked into how these hoerun champions achieve their success. Listen in and know one of the valuable secrets in winning this ultimate game of development. Quotes: "The Goal Isn't Just To Go And Do Something But It's To Learn How To Do Something." "When We Learn How To Do Something, It's Not Just Accomplished Through A Reliance On Skills, Or Knowledge, Or Experience. It Comes Through Deep And Often Painful Reflection." "Excellence Is Born In Reflection, Not Just Practice." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Learning How To Work (03:22) Looking At Homerun Records (08:02) The Goal Is Learning How To Do Something (10:58) Excellence Is Born In Reflection, Not Just Practice (12:04) The Ultimate Game Of Development (13:15) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Cat and Andy talk about how to ensure that you still have that spark to do your job. They tackled some ways that can keep your excitement in your career, take a step to a higher level, or even discover new opportunities. Tune in now, and understand why boredom is the door to creativity. Quotes: "How Our Career Started Sort Of Lays Out The, Somewhat, Opportunities And Situations That Come While We're Trying To Keep That Career Fresh As We Go Along." "It's Far Easier To Gain Grassroots Support From Your Peers, And People Who Are Actually Benefiting From This Change To Get Behind You, And Build That Momentum Before And Build That Social Proof." "Don't Be Disappointed If It Takes Time, Or Somebody Has To Go And Think About It, Or They Have To Present It To Another Individual. Because Every Idea [And] People Need Processing Time." " I Don't Know That Anybody Investing In Themselves In Any Capacity Has Ever Been A Bad Thing. I Think That It Always Turns Out Somewhere Along The Way." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign Up For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Keeping The Spark To Do Your Job (04:33) What Lays Out The Opportunities And Situations That Come (08:18) Facing Challenges Can Bring You Into Something Great (10:04) Boredom As A Sign To Go Look For Other Opportunities Or Spark Creativity In What You're Doing (15:31) How Do You Find Opportunities (18:03) How To Effectively Affect Change In Your Organization (23:29) Building Skills For Your Current And Future Career (28:06) Quick Topic Summary (31:05) Looking At The World With Open Eyes (32:49) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Andy talk about how finding something likable in others could open more opportunities. As he says, "As a consultant, we want people wanting us around and we want to be around them." Tune in and know how to do this, especially when the working relationship is difficult. Quotes: "When [We're] Working With People, We Have To Find Something Attractive In Them." "We Want To Find Qualities In The Other Individuals That Are Attractive That We Can Work With." "If We Don't Look For Something Attractive In Somebody, There's A High Likelihood That We Will Generate Contempt For That Person And Not Want To Be Around Them. That Is Not A Situation We Want To Be In As A Consultant." "There's A Lot Of Things That Come Out Of Having Stronger Relationships With Your Clients, And We Do That By Trying To Find Something Attractive In Them." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Consultants Always Work With Other People (02:14) A Story About A Conflict While Working On A Project (03:39) Finding Something Attractive In The People We Work With (05:14) "It Is Me" (07:18) What Happens When We Don't Try To Fix This Conflict (09:17) Relational Vs. Transactional (11:18) Find Something Admirable, Especially When The Relationship Is Difficult (13:38) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy reminds and encourages us to show our gratitude to the people who helped us. Life happens and it is easy to put this off but we have to remember that being intentional in reaching out and making sure they hear it is also valuable to them. Listen in and be encouraged as Andy shares his experience and let gratitude do its amazing work for you and for those who have helped you. Quotes: "It's Really Important, It's Just A Really A Reminder, To Reach Out To The People That Have Contributed To Your Lives." "These Things Are Important, Not Just Because It Makes Us Feel Good. Again, The Universe Recognizes That Gratitude, And It Creates A Tremendous Amount Of Energy. But It Also Helps That Other Person Who Helped Us." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Exercising Gratitude (02:06) Identifying And Thanking The People Who Have Helped Me (02:55) Being Intentional In Showing My Gratitude (05:45) It's Important For People To Hear It (06:25) Take Action And Reach Out (07:18) Showing Our Gratitude Also Helps The People Who Helped Us (10:39) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shares the experiences that made him think about how we need to be aware and make sure that our past experiences, especially the negative ones, are not how we identify ourselves. We need to bring the good things that serve us forward. So, tune in now and know how to avoid slipping back to the negative experiences in the past that may lead us to identify ourselves through it. Quotes: "We Also Want To Be Very Aware Of… How We Identify Ourselves." "Make Sure That We're Bringing The Good Things Forward. And I Know It's Difficult, But It's Something That I Think Is A Lifelong Process That We Have To Just Do. And It Betters Us." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Thinking About Why We Bring Up Past Experiences (05:19) Be Aware Of How You Identify Yourself (06:54) Avoiding Slipping Back To The Negative Experiences In The Past (07:59) Identifying The Areas That Don't Serve You And Bringing The Good Things Forward (10:32) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy speaks about the importance of respecting others' work and service. We need to be responsible and frugal with our money and resources but there is a balance we need to recognize where we also need to acknowledge the value of the product or service we want to have and pay for it accordingly. Take a quick break, listen in, and learn why it's important to respect others' work and service. Quotes: "The Universe Is Really A Reflection Of Ourselves. So, If We're Looking For Cheap Stuff, Or We're Looking Not To Pay For Something, If We're Looking For Freebies, Other People Are Going To Do The Same Thing For Us." "I Think It's Really Important That People Pay For The Things That We Consume." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Who Do You Think Are The Best Tippers? (02:49) Recognizing The Work That Has Been Put In By Other Individuals (07:17) Searching For Quality Information And Services And Paying Properly For It (08:55) Respecting Other's Work & Service As Well As Our's (10:32) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Cat and Andy talk about time management and what it looks like especially with the self-employed. They established the importance of having non-negotiables for the present and for your future. Tune in now and know the top 3 things you can do to level up your time management skills and become more effective in reaching your professional and personal goals. Quotes: "There are The Non-Negotiables That Are Today, The Things That We're Doing, Current State, But There Are The Things For The Future That We Have To Plan For." "To Keep A Promise To Yourself Is Hard Because Nobody Will Know The Difference Otherwise. And So, If You Can Do That, You Are Actually Building Up The Integrity That You Have With Yourself, And Then It Shows When You Interact With Others." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Managing Time As Self-Employed (04:30) Having Your Non-Negotiables For The Present And For Your Future (10:10) How To Put Your Foot Down For Your Non-Negotiables (15:01) Avoiding Internalizing The Stress (19:34) Top 3 Things You Can Do To Level Up Your Time Management Skills (23:08) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have Cat and Andy discuss the use of technology to help improve our communication skills. They talked about how our time has made more room for authenticity, but we still need to have it according to our role. Listen in now and learn three things you can immediately do to improve your communication. Quotes: "It's okay to show vulnerability in your speech, it just has to come from a place of authenticity." "Watch the conversations we have in our private lives." "It's just being patient with other individuals and realizing that they're working through, they're doing their best." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Phrases we use as fillers becoming a habit (04:16) Vulnerability in a place of authenticity (07:26) Using Tech To Access and Improve Communication (13:19) Three things you can immediately do to improve your speech (19:32) Authenticity in accordance with the role we're playing (24:24) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy shares his experience where he had to learn to go back and validate his past assumption and acknowledge the value of fixing the facts gathered. He explains why we tend to avoid this especially in consulting and in business and showed its importance and the value it can add to your service and to the business. So, give this episode a listen and practice it as you seek to always improve your skill and service. Quotes: "There's a cost to not validating our decisions, as well as the decision-making process." "The need to be right paralyzes our learning muscles." "Our value as consultants may be how we validate assumptions of facts and deliver that new information to our clients." "I'd rather be correct in my assumption, and correct my assumption than to hold on to an invalid truth." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Why do we think something is real? (06:38) Analysing past decisions (09:07) There's a cost to not validating our decisions (10:55) Validating assumptions of facts (13:40) The ability to admit that we might be wrong (15:05) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we are with Andy as he talks about intentions and how they are not always conscious to us. Listen in now and learn how to look into your intentions and apply strategies that develop yourself to your full potential. Quotes: "Interestingly Enough, Intent Is Not Always Conscious To Us, But It Is Made Visible Through Our Behavior." "We Will Never Fully Meet Our Full Potential Without Mature Intentionality Towards External Contribution." "How We Define The Community We Serve Determines Our Intent." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Intent Made Visible Through Behavior (05:51) Ways That Intent Becomes Clear (08:21) Developing Our Full Potential By Serving Others (09:11) The Challenge Of Dealing With Daily Distractions (09:43) Who Do We Serve? (12:13) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, Andy explains how big enough problems can fuel consultants and keep them going. Know the power questions to ask yourself and identify if you are set for the next big challenge, so tune in now and learn how to take the next step that will keep you going. Quotes: "We Should Be Challenged Enough That We're Tired. We Shouldn't Be Exhausted." "When You Go To Live Out Your Consulting Career, You're Gonna Go Through All Kinds Of Ebbs And Flows. You're Gonna Have Peaks And Valleys. You're Going To Be An Expert In A Particular Area And That Area Is Going To Be Boring, And You're Going To Need To Look For The Next Challenge." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Consultants Want The Challenge (05:03) Look For Big Enough Problems To Keep You Challenged (07:58) Have Confidence In Yourself (10:02) Run On Those Plateaus (11:31) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers

In this episode, we have andy share insights on elements we, as human beings, face and how important it is to recognize that in the challenges that we experience, we need to battle the elements and not each other. He also points out that in times where elements are being dealt with by technology or other enhancements, it is important to think of productive ways to use our available time instead of creating other conflicts with each other. Click play now and listen to this episode's nuggets of wisdom. Quotes: "As A Human Being When You Get Exposed To The Elements Of The World, The Elements Are In Charge." "When We Are Faced With Real Challenges. There's No Time To Fight Each Other." "Let's Seek Out Those Elements And Battle Them. They're Good Challenges." Show Notes: (00:00) Podcast Intro (00:27) If You Need Help Creating A Set Of Values, You're Welcome To Sign For A Complimentary Course At https://theconsultingplaybook.com/values (01:19) Recalling And Remembering Are Two Different Things (03:35) When We Are Exposed To Harsh Elements (06:26) Every Day Is A Battle Against The Elements (08:10) No Time To Fight With Other People Over Trivial Matters (10:03) What Are We Doing With Our Available Time? (15:50) What Elements Should We Be Battling Rather Than Each Other (17:30) Andy's New Book The Trust Paradigm Is Available On Amazon And Other Book Retailers