PLAY PODCASTS
Paul Higgins Podcast

Paul Higgins Podcast

327 episodes — Page 5 of 7

Ep 501501 - Building Brands to Stand Out With the Kevin Bacon of Salesforce with Eric Dreshfield

Episode OverviewIn this insightful episode, we're joined by Kevin Bacon of Salesforce as he delves into the transformative power of branding for ISV partners and consultants. Transitioning from his earlier career, Eric spotlights the importance of a standout brand presence in the bustling Salesforce ecosystem. Dive in for an enriching conversation on branding, events, and the art of standing out.About Eric Dreshfield Eric Dreshfield is a "Connector," a blogger and marketer, a mentor for those new to the Salesforce ecosystem, and a Community Advocate. Working in the Salesforce ecosystem since 2009, with experience across multiple industries, including transportation, retail, life sciences, and more, Eric can bridge the gap between technology and those who rely on it. He is the Founder of Midwest Dreamin' and a member of the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame. By day, he is the Principal Consultant at Dresh For Success LLC and the "Kevin Bacon" of the Salesforce Ecosystem. #EqualityForAllResources and Links501 - Show NotesDreshforsuccess.comMidwestdreamin.comEric's LinkedIn profileEric on Twitter: @ericdreshGaggle SocialOpus ClipThe Paul Higgins ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterPaulhigginsmentoring.comConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Oct 9, 202324 min

Ep 500500 - Epic 500 Milestone and a Huge Announcement

Episode OverviewHappy 500th episode!In a solo episode, I will take you through my nostalgic podcast journey back to where it all began, celebrating numerous evolutions, heartfelt conversations, and my undying passion for engaging dialogue. I am also taking this opportunity to thank everyone who's been part of this incredible journey—from past teams and mentors to every listener. This episode marks a milestone and reveals a significant change: introducing "The Paul Higgins Show" with a renewed commitment to tech consultants - scale faster to live better. Join me on this celebratory episode, and as always, your engagement makes it all worthwhile!Resources and Links500 - Show NotesThe Paul Higgins ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterPaulhigginsmentoring.com

Oct 4, 20237 min

Ep 499499 - Taking Finance Migration Pressure Off Tech Consultants with Simon Fedorovsky

Episode OverviewIn this episode, we dive into finance and accounting for tech consultants. Simon shares his accounting knowledge, especially system migrations, bookkeeping, and integration. Uncover the crucial client onboarding and evaluation for complex integrations, alongside the importance of smooth transitions during high-stake projects. This episode is a gateway to effortless financial migration, ensuring your tech consulting business stays steady.About Simon FedorovskySimon Fedorovsky, born and raised in Israel, moved to Canada in 2004. Went to school for accounting while working full-time at a distribution company. Worked his way up in cost accounting while starting the SFIR brand in 2017. The accounting industry is tired, so he and his partner (Igor) started a firm. They bring the big company experience of month-end close to small/midsize entities. Doing a full close month to month relieves the stress at year-end, where they take over the communication with the tax team to file the applicable returns necessary for their clients (if outside of Canada). Within Canada, they take care of the returns in-house. They deal with all types of companies in pretty much every industry. 45% of their company hovers around accounting and ERP solutions for companies where they develop, implement, or migrate companies from one software to another. This could be Quickbooks to Sage or Quickbooks to Zoho Books. They set up companies for expense reporting, inventory management, and your classic full-cycle accounting systems. They tailor each system to the business owner and their needs, making sure they utilize automation but do it in a way that is cautious (finance automations need to be handled carefully).Resources and Links499 - Show NotesSfirconsulting.comSimon’s LinkedIn profileEmail: [email protected] Cloud Consultants ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Oct 2, 202327 min

Ep 498498 - Hit Your Mark: Strategies for Bullseye Marketing in B2B with Louis Gudema

Episode OverviewIn this episode, we dissect effective B2B marketing strategies for tech consultants. Uncover the crucial role of referrals in revenue generation and how a robust marketing program can amplify this. Louis sheds light on the concept of 'mental availability' in marketing, the significance of staying top of mind for customers, and practical strategies like leveraging share of voice to build brand awareness. Whether marketing on a shoestring budget or navigating without formal training, this episode is a goldmine of actionable insights.About Louis GudemaLouis Gudema is a fractional CMO for B2B startups and growth-stage companies in many industries, and mentors startups at MIT. He is the author of Bullseye Marketing, named One of the Best Marketing Plan Books of All Time by Book Authority. The second edition, which focuses exclusively on B2B marketing, was released on May 2nd. As a result of the book's success, he also has a side hustle as a ghostwriter for business and marketing books.Resources and Links498 - Show NotesLouisgudema.comLouis’ LinkedIn profileBook: How Brands Grow by Byron SharpUpwork.comThe Marketing Book PodcastThe Cloud Consultants ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Sep 25, 202329 min

Ep 497497 - 7 Game-Changers for Tech Consultants

Episode Overview​​Navigating the journey from corporate roles to running your tech consulting business can be daunting. While your technical know-how might be top-notch, challenges lie in marketing, sales, and team building. Today, I unravel the 7 game-changers that can transform your tech consulting business, and share insights on where to get the help you need.Key actions from todayGet the visual at  paulhigginsmentoring.com/gamechangersPlaybook updates newsletter in notes  Reach out if you want help to implement them today Resources and Links497 - Show Notes7 game-changers visualThe Cloud Consultants ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterPaulhigginsmentoring.com

Sep 21, 202313 min

Ep 496496 - Inside the Journey of Scaling a 7-Figure NetSuite Partner Business in Just 4 Years with Robert Jurcec

Episode OverviewIn this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Onekloudx, as Robert shares their remarkable success story and the challenges they faced in scaling the business. He also highlights the significance of deeply understanding organizations' pain points and aligning tailored technology solutions while emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and effective marketing strategies.Main things Robert shared in this episode:Self-generated leads through strategic partners Why does he have a dedicated marketing person, and what do Knowledge base - help with user acceptance and prep for AIAbout Robert JurcecRobert Jurcec is the CEO and founder of OneKloudX, an award-winning business recognized as a finalist in Australia's prestigious 2022 CRN Fast 50 Growing IT Businesses. Robert has a track record of successfully leading large-scale ERP projects across Europe and APAC on the client and consulting side, which he brings to the partner side. Robert is a forward thinker and modernizes how organizations leverage the power of the cloud with best-of-breed solutions, including NetSuite, Salesforce, and Elmo.Resources and Links496 - Show NotesOneKloudX.com.auRobert’s LinkedIn profileScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Sep 18, 202326 min

Ep 495495 - Leveraging a Fractional Sales Expert to Amplify Your Revenue with Harris Kenny

Episode OverviewIn this episode, we jump into fractional sales and its potential advantages, especially for tech consulting businesses. Harris also shares when and why you should hire a fractional sales expert while addressing the challenges and the need for continuous development and improvement.Main things you will learn from this episode:Why go with fractional salesHow to best use it How Harris is using AIAbout Harris KennyHarris Kenny founded Intro CRM, a sales agency based in Denver, Colorado. He helps build scaleable systems for sales teams, integrating with HubSpot and Close. He has been in sales for over 13 years and has helped drive tens of millions of dollars in revenue for emerging technology and service companies. Resources and Links495 - Show NotesIntrocrm.comHarris’ LinkedIn profileApollo.ioClay.comScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Sep 11, 202333 min

Ep 494494 - The Number One Habit Hindering Growth as a Tech Consultant

Episode OverviewTime to break the habit that’s holding you back!In this solo episode, I discuss the detrimental habit of self-assessment, which hinders growth in business and personal endeavors. With a relatable golfing anecdote, I emphasize the importance of seeking guidance from experienced mentors instead of blindly implementing content from various sources. Key actions from todayStop thinking the volume of content is the problem Agree the true problem is self-assessment Talk to someone or ask me for someoneResources and Links494 - Show NotesScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Sep 7, 20236 min

Ep 493493 - Growing Through Acquisition with Rohit Thakral

Episode OverviewHave you ever considered growing your business through acquisition?In this episode, Rohit Thakral discusses how Target Integration has expanded from just services into products through acquisition. He openly shares how they did it and why they decided to do it. Rohit also focuses on these topics:Why acquire Finding the right company and team to make it happen The process to maximize synergies IsAbout Rohit ThakralRohit is an Entrepreneur and business Automation Consultant experienced in working for businesses from Manufacturing to Finance and Retail to Distribution. He started Target Integration in 2008 in Ireland with a vision to be the best company in digitally transforming business processes. He has successfully converted it into a mid-size CRM company spread over four countries. Rohit has 16 years of experience in various industries, including manufacturing, customer services, repair, telecom, etc. His experience includes management, business planning, systems administration, business analysis, and systems training. At Target Integration, he has successfully delivered several projects to clients worldwide (literally from Japan to the West Coast in the US). He has been consulting their CRM & ERP implementations regularly.Resources and Links493 - Show NotesTargetintegration.comRohit's LinkedIn profileTarget Integration on LinkedInYouTube channel: Target IntegrationFacebook Page: Target IntegrationTarget Integration on Instagram: @targetint.officialTarget Integration on Twitter: @TargetIntScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Sep 5, 202330 min

Ep 492492 - Unlocking Ecuador's Salesforce Potential with Alex Garcia

Episode OverviewIn this episode, Alex Garcia focuses on managing services for Salesforce partners and how it works. He also shares how they do it at Ennube Solutions and what sets them apart.3 Key things you will learn today:A hidden gem of a country How managed services work Three areas - admin/app/reporting  About Alex GarciaAlex is a co-founder of Ennube Solutions and a California native. He has over a decade of consulting experience on innovation and cloud technology systems, working with the best companies in the world. Alex currently serves as an advisor on the Salesforce AppExchange Partner Advisory Board.Resources and Links492 - Show NotesAlex’ LinkedIn profileEnnube.solutionsScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Aug 28, 202325 min

Ep 491491 - Untapped Leads: Revealing Little-Known Lead Sources for Tech Consultants

Episode OverviewAre you relying solely on referrals? Do you have other lead sources?In this solo episode, I will reveal three little-known lead sources for tech consultants to help you get those leads outside of referrals. I will also share some bonus tips and a playbook with all the necessary information.Key actions from todayDownload the Self-generated lead sources playbook  Action one Ask me questions Resources and Links491 - Show NotesSelf-generated lead sources playbookScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Aug 24, 202314 min

Ep 490490 - How One Of The Highest Rated Zoho Partners in the World Built a Thriving Consulting Business with Lior Izik

Episode OverviewIn this episode, I talk to Lior Izik, founder of one of the highest-rated Zoho partners in the world. He shares his journey on CRM implementation, highlighting their success with Zoho, and gives great insights and learnings to help you grow your tech consulting business.About Lior IzikLior Izik, a highly accomplished serial entrepreneur keen on business automation, is the founder and owner of Amazing Business Results, a Zoho Premium partner. The company specializes in providing tailored automated business solutions to its clients, leveraging custom Zoho systems uniquely suited to their needs. Lior's approach involves extracting specific business requirements from clients and crafting optimized solutions for their workflows. Additionally, Amazing Business Results provides Zoho development and training services, ensuring that employees have the necessary skills to operate these systems effectively.Overall, Lior is a driven entrepreneur with an unwavering commitment to helping businesses optimize their operations through automation. With his wealth of experience and expertise in Zoho and other software solutions, he has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and partner to businesses looking to streamline their operations and achieve growth.Resources and Links490 - Show NotesAmazingbusinessresults.comLior’s LinkedIn profileYoutube channel: Business Automation Solutions Using Zoho OneThe Cloud Consultants ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterpaulhigginsmentoring.com

Aug 21, 202335 min

Ep 489489 - How to Scale Your Business With Government Assistance with Jean-Eric Plamondon

Episode OverviewIn this episode, Jean-Eric discusses government funding for small businesses, specifically the CDAP program. He shares his knowledge and experiences helping clients through the Canadian government's funding process.The interview focused on:The Canadian loan program Who are eligible How you, as a tech consultant, can benefit no matter where you are About Jean-EricJean-Eric is a born entrepreneur, buying and selling four companies before age 31. He has owned and operated various businesses, including a residential painting franchise, several e-commerce websites (retail and wholesale), an industry-leading scrap metal recycling business, several international export companies (commercial, retail, and industrial), and more.On top of his entrepreneurial experience, Jean-Eric has also built an incredibly diverse and powerful resume working for, and consulting with, several companies, including Canada’s 4th fastest-growing company (2018).Born and raised in Winnipeg, Jean can often be found on the courts of the squash club, networking in the business community, volunteering on a board, or riding bike trails and building LEGOs with his son. Resources and Links489 - Show NotesGrowthstrategy.caJean-Eric’s LinkedIn profileEpisode 297 - Do More With Project Management With Gray MacKenzieThe Cloud Consultants ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterPaulhigginsmentoring.comConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Aug 15, 202333 min

Ep 488488 - Unlocking Success: Five Essential Actions to Avoid as a Tech Consultant

Episode OverviewAre you not getting the desired results despite putting in your 100% effort?In this solo episode, I will talk about the five critical factors contributing to this challenge you are facing and how to avoid them. Also, look out for the resource that I will share with you.Key actions from todayDownload the ICP resource Take one action on one of the five  Make it public Resources and Links488 - Show NotesIdeal Client Profile (ICP) playbookCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Aug 10, 202311 min

Ep 487487 - Lessons From a Chance Encounter with Marc Benioff That Led to Salesforce Ventures funding with Garry Polmateer

Episode OverviewAre you trying to secure funding for your business?In this episode, Garry shares his experience with Salesforce Ventures funding and how a chance encounter turned into a great opportunity for Red Argyle. He also delves into Salesforce’s funding structure and long-term strategy.About  Garry PolmateerGarry is a Certified Salesforce Administrator. His favorite thing about the platform is its extensibility to solve clients’ unique business problems quickly, compliantly, and affordably. He especially loves complex and custom projects!Before becoming CEO, Garry helped grow Red Argyle from two employees to 60, firmly establishing our brand within the Salesforce ecosystem. He has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and for-profit organizations, working in IT consulting, development, business analysis, and network administration.Garry was named to the Albany Business Review’s list of 40 Under 40 and the Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame. During his tenure, Red Argyle has been named a “Best Place to Work” and made the Inc. 5000 list.You’ll find Garry woodworking or handling axes and chainsaws when not geeking out online. He lives with his wife and two children, Angus, the golden retriever, and Angel, the mean African grey parrot.Resources and Links487 - Show NotesRedargyle.comGarry’s LinkedIn profileGarry on Twitter: @DarthGarryThe Cloud Consultants ShowScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterPaulhigginsmentoring.comConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Aug 8, 202325 min

Ep 486486 - Inbound Mastery: How to Use Content Marketing to Become the #1 Zoho Partner in The USA with Brett Martin

Episode OverviewIn this episode, Brett gives us a masterclass on using inbound marketing, focusing on providing valuable content and utilizing various platforms like YouTube, podcasts, etc., to attract more clients and grow your tech consulting business. He also shares his journey and experience in building a strong online presence which helped Zenatta Consulting become the #1 Zoho partner in the US. You will also learn:​​Why consistency is the key What media assets to create A golden tip of webinars never shared beforeAbout Brett MartinBefore founding Zenatta Consulting, Brett spent 25 years in the IT channel. Starting with the founding of Channel Solutions Group, a full-service sales and marketing organization specializing in developing value-added distribution channels for technology manufacturers. Then as part of the executive team at DynTek, a leading solutions provider. Brett also ran World Wide Channels for Lexar, giving him a deep understanding of the channel, having worked for both Vendors and VARs. Throughout his career, he has had major impacts on the channel program of over 50 companies, including Cisco, McAfee, Citrix, Ooma, and VMware, and has been awarded top accolades by Gartner, CMP, and CompTIA. Brett was a founding board member of the Association of Online Professionals and hosted the CRM Zen Show Podcast.  He understands sales and what it takes to build a successful sales infrastructure for your organization.Resources and Links486 - Show NotesZenatta.comBrett’s LinkedIn profileZenatta Consulting on LinkedInZenatta Consulting on Twitter: @zenattaconsultFacebook Page: Zenatta Consulting & The CRM Zen ShowYoutube Channel: Zenatta ConsultingPodcast: CRM Zen Show on Spotify and iTunesCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jul 31, 202342 min

Ep 485485 - One Action to Boost Your Confidence When Selling

Episode OverviewImagine a potential client agreeing to have a call with you - you do your homework and prepare for the call, but you end up stumbling at the start. You and the potential client feel awkward, and it never recovers. After all, first impressions do count. In this solo episode, I will share how a simple video sent before a sales call will help you gain confidence, build trust, reduce the awkwardness during the call, and let them know what they can expect.Key actions from todayDownload the Video pre-sales call playbook Create one Embed the process Resources and Links485 - Show NotesVideo pre-sales call playbookCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jul 27, 20239 min

Ep 484484 - ​​From Zero to $5 Million: How One Salesforce Partner Achieved Rapid Growth with Adam Troughear

Episode OverviewIn this episode, Adam shares how he, his co-founders, and their whole team worked to achieve rapid growth. He highlights the significance of building strong relationships with A.E.s and customers, having the right people in your team and trusting them fully, and the success of personal networking in lead generation.Adam also focuses on:Why salesforce multi-cloud Sources of growth When to hire a sales director About Adam Troughear Adam is a Co-Founder & Managing Director of Skie Solutions, an APAC Salesforce partner. He is a passionate and creative technologist with an extensive consulting background and history in the consumer goods industry. A career changer from professional musician to business owner, Adam has a different approach to business, culture, and engagement that connects people and ideas. Resources and Links484 - Show NotesSkie.com.auAdam’s LinkedIn profileCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jul 24, 202327 min

Ep 483483 - Automating Your Sales with Carol Springer

Episode OverviewAre you automating your sales process?In this episode, Carol focuses on the role of automation in sales. She emphasizes how you can expand your Salesforce practice with Pardot - a powerful marketing automation tool. She also highlights how it can be used for effective lead generation and nurturing and to deliver comprehensive solutions to clients.You will specifically learn:How SF and Pardot can work seamlessly Who is a great fit for it How to use content to grow your Cloud Consulting businessAbout Carol SpringerCarol owns and leads Gabriel Sales, a Marketing Automation agency and Salesforce Partner. In her role, she is a highly sought-after certified Salesforce admin and marketing technology consultant, working with companies of all sizes to help them leverage the power of Pardot and Salesforce to achieve their marketing and sales goals. Her deep understanding of the technology, ability to deliver results quickly, and passion for helping companies succeed have made her a trusted advisor for Pardot and Salesforce users.When not taking clients to the next level, she loves mentoring new trailblazers; other hobbies include slow travel, yoga, hiking, and producing her travel and remote work podcast “Where Next?”Resources and Links483 - Show NotesGabrielsales.comCarol's LinkedIn profileCarol on Twitter: @CarolSpringerCarol on Instagram: @carol_freelance_lifeCarol’s Upwork profilePodcast: Where Next? Travel with Kristen and CarolYouTube channel: Sales Tech by Gabriel SalesUpworkBook: Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale Humantic AICloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jul 17, 202339 min

Ep 482482 - Closing More Sales With Case Studies

Episode OverviewImagine this: You’re on a sales call going well, then your potential client asks to speak to someone you’ve worked with before. How do you handle this?In this solo episode, I talk about how you can close a sale without losing momentum, using case studies - and not boring ones like some. Listen as I share the format I use to create engaging, informative, and effective case studies.Key actions from todayDownload the case study builder from www.paulhigginsmentoring.com/casestudy.Create compelling case studies using the provided guide.Embed the case study process into your sales strategy.Resources and Links482 - Show NotesPower Positioning Action GuideCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jul 13, 202310 min

Ep 481481 - Scaling a Salesforce Partner Business to 125 People While Living a Great Life with John Burdett

Episode OverviewAre you struggling to scale your business? Hiring people who are aligned with the core values of the company will definitely help you scale. In this episode, John shares his expertise in helping businesses scale and improve their operations. He also gives insights into the proven and effective strategies and values that have contributed to their success in recruiting top talent and ​​the overall growth of Fast Slow Motion. Key topics you should look out for:3 core values At-risk comp model Internal recruitment and marketing About John BurdettJohn Burdett is married to his wife of almost 23 years, Misty.  They have a son Clayton (sophomore at Auburn University), and a daughter Kenna (freshman at Auburn University).  John is the founder and CEO of Fast Slow Motion.  Fast Slow Motion focuses on implementing Salesforce and Hubspot for growth businesses.  It is also one of the largest, highest-rated partners in the Salesforce ecosystem, focusing on growth businesses with clients and employees across the US and multiple countries.  He's enjoyed helping grow businesses such as CTS, TicketBiscuit, and Hospicelink.  He has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and an MBA from Emory University.  He also co-founded Red Mountain Grace, a Birmingham, Alabama-based ministry that houses and serves out-of-town families needing medical care in Birmingham, Alabama. Resources and Links481 - Show NotesFastslowmotion.comJohn’s Linkedin profileFast Slow Motion on LinkedInFast Slow Motion on Instagram: @fastslowmotionconsultantsFacebook page: Fast Slow MotionFast Slow Motion on Twitter: @fastslowmotionRedmountaingrace.comPatrick Lencioni Simon SinekCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jul 10, 202336 min

Ep 480480 - Growing a Salesforce Partner Business Through Live Events With Vincent Motte

Episode OverviewAre you looking for other ways to grow your Salesforce partner business? Have you tried doing Live events?In this episode, Vincent focuses on running and growing a successful Salesforce partner business within the competitive ecosystem. He shares his experiences and insights on market approach, differentiation, marketing strategies, recruitment challenges, networking through live events, and so much more. In this interview, he also covers these specific topics:How to pick a vertical and match them where they are at Breakfast events soup to nuts Why investing funds upfront is the right decision to make About Vincent MotteVincent Motte (Mot) spent most of his time working for management teams to bring their strategy to life through technology. His reputation as someone who gets the job done has seen him take on game-changing projects across M&A, operations, marketing, technology, and innovation.As a director of Sydney-based consultancy Carnac Group, He is also driven to build a team filled with passionate, switched-on people who are encouraged to challenge the conventional thinking of what it means to be a professional.He aims to help his clients make confident investment decisions in technology and innovation and then partner with them to make them happen.Resources and Links480 - Show Notescarnacgroup.comVincent’s Linkedin profileCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jul 3, 202332 min

Ep 479479 - Right to Play Isn't The Right to Profit: The #1 Marketing Mistake That Keeps You on Business Welfare

Episode OverviewImagine this; you're a cloud consultant trying to grow your business. You look around and see your peers seemingly thriving while you're struggling to find your footing.In this solo episode, I discuss the fundamental mistake many struggling cloud consultants make when trying to grow their businesses. While factors like leads, partnerships, hiring, and pricing can contribute to growth challenges, they are not the root cause. The number one mistake is positioning oneself solely as a SaaS partner, rather than as a consultant who understands and solves clients' business problems.Key actions from todayAssess your marketing assets and be honest with yourselfLearn the “category of one” positioningSpeed up your results with focus, the right mentoring, and accountabilityResources and Links479 - Show NotesPower Positioning Action GuideCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jun 29, 20239 min

Ep 478478 - Avoiding Common Hiring Mistakes with Josh Matthews

Episode OverviewIs your hiring process a nightmare? Are finding it hard to find the perfect candidate?In this episode,  let’s delve into companies' common mistakes regarding their hiring process and how to avoid them. Josh also shares insights into their approach to attracting and screening top candidates for clients and explores the topic of biases in the hiring process.In this interview, he emphasizes these topics:The one question you should ask in an interview What candidates are looking for in their next leader How to avoid 'pink flags' in an interviewAbout Josh MatthewsJosh Matthews is the President of Salesforce Staffing, LLC and TheSalesforceRecruiter.com. He helps Salesforce partners to unlock the code to attract, hire, onboard and retain the top 10% of Salesforce professionals in the United States.In his 20 years as a Recruiter and Leader in staffing, he has interviewed over 7,000 candidates for all levels, from Salesforce Administrator up through the C-Suite.Resources and Links478 - Show NotesThesalesforcerecruiter.comExpandexchange.comJosh's LinkedIn profileJosh on Twitter: @thejoshforceSalesforce Professionals Twitter communityYoutube Channel: joshforceEmail Josh at: [email protected]: The Salesforce Career ShowGlassdoorCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jun 26, 202340 min

Ep 477477 - Recession Readiness for Digital Consulting Agencies with Ryan Watson

Episode OverviewWhat are you doing to be recession ready?In this episode, Ryan guides service-based businesses, specifically agencies, to navigate tough economic times. He delves into managing human capital, maintaining cash reserves, and implementing effective contingency plans. He also gives practical insights and tips for surviving a recession and achieving long-term success.About Ryan WatsonRyan is an experienced operations and finance leader for creative agencies and venture-funded startups. As a partner at Upsourced, he helps scaling agencies build better plans, see the future and drive profits. Before Upsourced, Ryan led operations and finance for a large influencer marketing and ad agency, Ahalogy, where they built the team to over 50 people and $10M in annual AGI before selling to Quotient Technology (NYSE: QUOT) in June 2018.Resources and Links477 - Show NotesUpsourcedaccounting.comRyan’s LinkedIn profileYoutube Channel: UpsourcedRyan on Twitter: @ryankwatsonCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jun 19, 202340 min

Ep 476476 - Stop Short-changing Yourself

Episode OverviewAre you short-changing yourself?In this solo episode, I share the importance of not undervaluing oneself and provide practical advice and a case study to inspire cloud consultants to reassess their pricing and overall business strategies to avoid shortchanging themselves.Key actions from todayLook at what a commercial rate would be for youSpeak to your accountantGet a financial advisor or speak to themResources and Links475 - Show NotesCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jun 15, 202310 min

Ep 475475 - Maximizing the Potential of Data in the Cloud: Insights for Cloud Consultants with Aron Clymer

Episode OverviewDo you believe data plays a crucial role in today's digital era?In this episode, Aron from Data Clymer delves into the fascinating world of data and how you can leverage it to gain a competitive edge, enhance operational efficiency, and drive innovation. With his extensive experience in the industry, including his time at Salesforce, where he established a product intelligence team, you will gain a deeper understanding of the power of data and its crucial role in shaping businesses' success.In this interview, he also talks about:What data are key stakeholders looking for How you, as a Cloud Consultant can, partner to provide that data How AI and machine learning can be leveraged by having the right data About Aron ClymerAron Clymer is the Founder & CEO of Data Clymer, a next-gen data & analytics consulting firm that empowers every client’s success by unlocking the value of data. The Data Clymer team implements modern cloud data solutions that drive positive results through data accessibility and actionable insights.He previously established and built the Product Intelligence team at Salesforce for 7 years to support all data and analytics needs of 400+ product managers. Subsequently, Aron headed up Data at PopSugar, where his team democratized data and supported analytics/data science across the company.He has grown Data Clymer over the past 6 years into a nationwide team of deeply experienced cloud data professionals.Resources and Links475 - Show NotesDataclymer.comAron’s LinkedIn profileCollective 54Cloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jun 12, 202334 min

Ep 474474 - Do it Selling with David Newman

Episode OverviewDo you struggle with marketing and sales? Are you heavily relying on referrals? In this episode, David shares a fresh perspective on sales, and proven sales strategies, especially for cloud consultants with small teams and revenue ranging from 750k to 4 million. If this is you, this is an episode you wouldn’t want to miss!David also covers:How to research 5-sentence email and add value Top 3 actions from 77 in his book do it selling About David NewmanDavid Newman is known as one of the top revenue growth mentors for consultants, executive coaches, and B2B experts who want to get better clients, bigger deals, and higher fees. His Do It! MBA mentoring program has more than 800 successful graduates. He is the author of the #1 business bestseller Do It! Marketing and Do It! Speaking. His latest book, Do It! Selling was released last April 2023.Resources and Links474 - Show NotesDoitmarketing.comDavid’s Book: Do It! SellingDavid’s LinkedIn profileCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jun 5, 202344 min

Ep 473473 - 1:3:1 Rule

Episode OverviewDo you ever feel like you're the bottleneck for delivering results in your business? Don’t worry. You are not alone. This is a common challenge faced by business owners. And in this solo episode, I will share the 1:3:1 rule - a simple and effective approach to problem-solving. It involves identifying one problem, developing three potential solutions, and giving one recommendation. By adopting this rule, team members are empowered to solve problems independently, fostering growth and learning. Key actions from todayStop doing what you can and focus on what you should Train your team on the 1:3:1 ruleStick to it (60 days) Send me how you used itResources and Links473 - Show NotesCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling Blueprint Join our newsletterThe Cloud Consultants ShowPaul Higgins MentoringConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

Jun 1, 20237 min

Ep 472472 - Closing High-Quality B2B Clients - Automatically with Alex Berman

Episode OverviewCold email is dead - Listen as Alex debunks this myth and talks about the effectiveness of cold email outreach. He also shared his experiences of successful cold email campaigns and emphasized the importance of tailoring emails to specific individuals and targeting the right decision-makers.About Alex BermanAlex is the Founder of Omni and X27marketing. He has been in the digital marketing space for over 15 years and went from 0 SaaS to 5 SaaS Exits in 2023 and generated over $100m for clients in revenue.Along with being an entrepreneur, he also creates weekly YouTube videos that educate agency owners on how to expand their businesses and generate more income by showing them ways to enhance their B2B sales cycles and implement inbound marketing techniques. Links472 - Show NotesOmni.usX27marketing.comAlex’s LinkedIn profileAlex’s Youtube ChannelAlex on Twitter: @alxbermanPaulhigginsmentoring.comScaling BlueprintThe Workflow AcademyCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

May 29, 202342 min

Ep 471471 - Building an App on the Salesforce App Exchange with Andi Giri

Episode OverviewIf you have thought about launching an app on the Salesforce App exchange or are in the process, this podcast is for you. Andi covers:Why use an outsourced dev team  for app developmentDifferent types of apps  - hybrid and native How to get the best out of Indian developers How Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning will develop and how to get ahead of the curveAbout Andi GiriAndi Giri is an IT entrepreneur with about 35 years of experience. He completed his BE degree at the College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai, India, and an MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. He launched Softsquare in 1998 as an IT staff augmentation firm and pivoted the company towards managed services in 2008. In 2021, Andi drove the product practice toward delivering several commercial products, strengthening recurring revenue for Softsquare. He served as the President of Greater Washington Tamil Sangam in 1998 and as the Founder-President of AIMS India Foundation from 2000-2003. Andi has mentored and invested in startups since 2020 via Native Angel Network in Madurai, India, and Guindy Alumni Angel Network in San Francisco, CA, USA.Links471 - Show Notessoftsquare.bizAndi’s LinkedIn profileReach Andi through email at [email protected] BlueprintThe Workflow AcademyCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

May 22, 202341 min

Ep 470470 - Time is on Your Side: Debunking the Myth That You Don't Have Time

Episode OverviewIt is not your fault if you have so much going on in your business and nothing seems to be working. And it is not because you don't have the time to change it. It is because you are working on the wrong things. How do I know? Because I was you.In this solo episode, I share my experience of working on the wrong things in my cloud consulting business and the result of not heeding my mentor’s advice. This experience motivates me to do what I do and prevent others from making the same mistakes I did.Key actions from todayDon't buy into the myth you don't have enough time Work on what matters most Get some help Links470 - Show NotesPaulhigginsmentoring.comScaling BlueprintThe Workflow AcademyCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

May 18, 202312 min

Ep 469469 - Unlocking the Power of Marketplaces: Strategies for Generating Qualified Leads with Patrick Cronan

Episode OverviewAre you struggling to find high-quality leads for your SaaS platform? If so, you won't want to miss this episode! Our guest, Patrick, saw a gap in the Salesforce ecosystem where end clients found it difficult to match the 5,000 Independent Software Vendors (ISV) and 2,300 Consulting Service Partners to their problems needing solving. He created InVisory to fix it.In this episode, Patrick will share his insights on:How to generate qualified leads through a marketplace. Why you should be on the marketplace as a consulting partner, how to be selected by the algorithm.How to upsell existing apps to solve clients' challenges.About Patrick CronanPatrick started his career at Thomson Reuters, working in various consulting & sales roles during his 8.5 years at the firm. From Thomson, Patrick joined an early-stage venture-backed company, FiscalNote, as their first Director of Business Development. Patrick still credits this experience as one of the most beneficial for his career, as it was his first experience working at a startup that didn’t have a lot of resources- from this experience, he wanted to start his own company one day. From FiscalNote, Patrick joined Gartner, where he led one of their Financial Services Practices for 4 years. Before founding InVisory, Patrick was a Director of Strategic Banking Accounts at Salesforce. During this experience, Patrick came up with the idea for InVisory and launched the business after two years at Salesforce in Jan 2022.Resources and Links469 - Show NotesInVisoryPatrick's LinkedInPaulhigginsmentoring.comScaling BlueprintThe Workflow AcademyCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

May 15, 202337 min

Ep 468468 - An Innovative Way of Developing the Next Generation of Talent for Cloud Consultants with Matthew Peng

Episode OverviewGaining new talent is challenging for you as a Cloud Consulting Business owner.Matthew has an innovative way of solving this. In my interview with Matthew, he talks about:Who is the next generation of talent How to source them How to develop their soft and tech skillsAbout Matthew PengMatthew Peng founded Business Continuum, providing software and change management advice to companies big and small for almost a decade.  He blends his business and finance background to set up technology solutions to simplify processes, freeing up more time to engage with clients and empower users with a framework to manage their continuous business improvement.Resources and Links468 - Show Notesbusinesscontinuum.com.auMatthew's LinkedInPaulhigginsmentoring.comScaling BlueprintCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

May 8, 202335 min

Ep 467467 - Tube Talk: How to use Youtube to Grow your Cloud Consulting Business

Episode OverviewI speak to about 5 cloud consultants daily from across the globe, typically from Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho (but not limited to them), and ask them what is working and not working in their quest to scale. And the common theme I get is YOUTUBE.So in this solo episode, I talk about how you can use Youtube to grow your Cloud Consulting Business. If you struggle to get consistent inbound leads, you should listen to this episode and start your Youtube journey.Here are some great YouTubers in the Cloud Consulting industry (who are past guests, too!) and their episodes:Gareth Pronovost of Gap consulting - 422 – Building A Million-dollar No-code Consultancy with YoutubePaul Minors - 381 – Get 30 Leads A Month To Your Cloud Consulting Business Leveraging YoutubeLayla Pomper of ProcessDriven - 317 – Putting Fun Back Into ProcessGray MacKenzie of ZenPilot - 297 – Do More With Project ManagementScott Friesen of Simpletivity -220 – Simpletivity: Killing Busyness, Becoming More ProductiveBrett Martin - Zenatta Consulting & The CRM Zen Show Zoho (look out for his interview - Episode 486) 334 – 7 Ways To Get More Sales With Youtube (solo episode)Key actions from todayStart research today Send me what you liked make the launch public Links467 - Show NotesPaulhigginsmentoring.comScaling BlueprintCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedIn

May 4, 202310 min

Ep 466466 - Specializing a Salesforce Practice with Shell Black

Episode OverviewIf you struggle to have consistent cash flow in your Cloud Consulting business, this interview is for you. Shell talks through the benefits of specialization as a Salesforce partner. He covers;How he builds consistent leads from Salesforce and how to get to the front of the co-sell queue. His learnings are from building a youtube channel with 500K views and 2MM minutes of watch time. The actions he is taking to build a high-performing culture. About Shell BlackShell Black is from Dallas, Texas (United States), and started consulting on Salesforce in 2005. He started his company ShellBlack.com - a Salesforce consulting and implementation firm, in 2010. Shell holds 4 Salesforce Certifications. He has also spoken at Dreamforce (the annual Salesforce user conference) for 6 years.In 2019, Shell has inducted Salesforce MVP Hall of Fame to recognize his contributions to the Salesforce community (one of ~250 worldwide)Shell is the host of “ShellBlack Whiteboard,” - a YouTube channel on how to implement Salesforce (>500K views and over >2MM minutes watched)Resources and Links466 - Show NotesShellblack.comYoutube Channel: ShellBlack WhiteboardShell's LinkedInShell on Twitter: @Shell_BlackPaulhigginsmentoring.comScaling BlueprintCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

May 1, 202341 min

Ep 465465 - The Inner Workings of a 50-Person HubSpot Agency with Dan Moyle

Episode OverviewDan is passionate about HubSpot and their users.He works for Impulse Creative, a 50-person HubSpot Agency that delights the SME and mid-market space. Dan gives his perspective on why Impulsive Creative has grown. He coversHow to use inbound to grow your agency The value of reviews on your partner directory and some cool scripts to use Using a points system for retainersAbout Dan MoyleDan is a trainer, storyteller, podcaster, speaker, writer, and blended family dad. Dan lives to put more love into the world and create a better space for everyone. For his day job, he’s a HubSpot Advisor at Impulse Creative, teaching, coaching, and advising HubSpot users.Resources and Links465 - Show NotesImpulse CreativeThe Storytellers NetworkDan's LinkedInDan on Twitter: @danmoylePaulhigginsmentoring.comScaling BlueprintCloud Consultants CollectiveThe Cloud Consultants ShowSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Apr 24, 202337 min

Ep 464464 - How To Grow your Cloud Consulting Business without Spending a Cent

Episode OverviewMany business owners often try too many tactics to fix their problems when the answer is right under their noses. Most of the time, getting help can be a simple yet effective growth hack.In this episode of the Cloud Consultants Solo Show, I talk about a Cloud Consulting Business Growth Hack that may seem too good to be true but can help you scale your business, and give you examples of how I helped two of my clients, Chris and John, to identify their growth blockers by filling out a diagnostic and spending an hour together. Key actions from todayGet out of your way Get some help - talkpaul.comLinks464 - Show NotesCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter

Apr 20, 202310 min

Ep 463463 - Using Linkedin Outreach to Grow your Cloud Consulting Business with Massimo Ianniruberto

Episode OverviewIf you want to generate more leads to bring needed cash flow into your Cloud Consulting business - this is for you. Massimo outlines going from failure to success using Linkedin Outreach for his Cloud Consulting business. In particular, he covers; Why, how, and the value of picking a niche How to customize messages How to leverage strategic partnersMassimo’s backgroundMassimo Ianniruberto is the Founder of BluRoot. He started 10 years ago as all things to all people and has cleverly focused on two drivers to scale his business as one of the fast-growing Zoho partners on the planet.1) Vericals - insurance and mortgage 2) Product - Tailored solutions powered by Zoho He is a former entrepreneur of the year in Canada. In his free time, he enjoys watching basketball and playing Gran Turismo.Links/Resources463 - Show NotesMassimo's WebsiteMassimo's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletterConnect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Apr 17, 202334 min

Ep 462462 - Scaling the Most Innovative HubSpot Partner in the World with Jens Sundell

Episode OverviewThe growth of the HubSpot ecosystem is well documented. It continues to go more upmarket. Jens and the team at Kaksio Labs are at the forefront of this growth. In the interview, Jens covers;How to build three legs to a HubSpot business - Consulting, Product, and Implementation How to build a relationship with HubSpot Pros and Cons of mining a vertical Jens’s background Jens is an experienced sales professional and modern growth leader. Proven track record of growing revenues exponentially in a global tech SaaS company. Enjoy working in an open, international, dynamic environment where an entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged and valued. A strong believer in authentic leadership built on trust, honesty, and accountability.Links/Resources462 - Show NotesJens's WebsiteJens's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Apr 10, 202329 min

Ep 461461 - Designing Personalized Development Plans for Top Talent

Episode OverviewAs the leader of your business - people are your greatest asset. You know how hard it is to find top talent. Even harder to keep them. There are many reasons why people leave their jobs, but research has consistently shown that the number one reason is usually related to their relationship with their immediate Leader. In other words, people don't leave their jobs; they leave leaders. Learn how to focus on them and not the role.In this solo podcast, listen as I talk about what a Personalized Development Plan (PDP) is, how you can conduct them, and how often you should do it.Key actions from todayCover why, what, and how PDPSee an example; email me at [email protected] your first today - progress, not perfection Links461 - Show NotesCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Apr 6, 20239 min

Ep 460460 - Shifting To a Recurring Revenue Model with Robin Leonard

Episode OverviewRobin was like most Salesforce partners that started their business doing small projects, hoping it would turn into more work. Great for acquisition but not great for partner profitability.After testing different business models, Robin now runs his Salesforce Platinum business predominantly based on a managed service fee - fixed monthly recurring revenue. In the interview, Robin covers;2 challenges mid-markets are grappling with and how to solve them Pressure on EBIT by companies and the role automation is playing The pros and cons of moving to a recurring revenue model - managed services Key timeline highlights: The benefits and challenges of automation in increasing revenue and decreasing business operation costs. They also acknowledged consumers' frustration with current chatbot technology and the difficulty of large organizations in iterating a great chatbot experience due to technical constraints.How Robin's Salesforce consulting business evolved from project-based billing to a managed service program due to the shift towards considering cloud consulting as OPEX instead of CAPEX. Robin's business became a subscription service, the first of its kind in the market. It offered all the necessary services for clients to adopt Salesforce correctly and get value.Managed service fee model and how tailored it to each client's needs. They also talked about the challenges of dealing with procurement and the importance of providing client support and strategic services.The benefits and challenges of shifting revenue into recurring revenue businesses, including the higher valuation and stability it provides, the need to balance revenue shifts, and the emotional impact on employees undergoing digital transformation. They also brainstormed ideas for an app to help bridge the gap between different roles and perspectives in the transformation process.AF Digital's business model, daily sales habits, and Robin's wish to help clients freely without budget limitations. Robin also shared that the best salespeople are the delivery people, and enabling them to sell to clients is key.Pros and cons of moving to a recurring revenue model. They also talked about Robin's experience in CRM marketing technology and his business, AF Digital, which provides consulting and managed services in the Salesforce ecosystem.Robin’s background Robin has had a great experience in the CRM, Marketing, and Technology game. An astute New Zealander with an unwavering passion for leveraging disruptive technology and creative ideas to improve a brand's human experience. Based in Sydney, his business AFDigital, a Salesforce Platinum Consulting Partner, operates across APAC, providing consulting and managed services into the Salesforce ecosystem.Links460 - Show NotesRobin's WebsiteRobin's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Apr 3, 202334 min

Ep 459459 - Using Accountability to Scale your Business with Tanya Alvarez

Episode OverviewGetting stuck in your business is common - we have all been there, and many of us are still there. But how do you get unstuck? One way is self-accountability. For the very disciplined, this can work.For many, group accountability is more likely to work. This is where Tanya shines. In the interview, she goes through the GRIT model for accountability. Goal RhythmIterate logTeam   She also covers the importance of consequences and how group accountability works.Tanya’s background Tanya dove head first into the marketing world and have collected over fifteen years of international/US experience with companies such as Nike and the US Olympics. She then started her first company at 25 and grew it to over $1 million in revenue in the first year. Since then, she has founded, bootstrapped, sold, and invested in five companies. She enjoys running and traveling; she has been to over 42 countries.She is currently on a mission to improve the success rate of small businesses. This mission is the genesis of OwnersUP, a platform for owners to team up and scale faster.Links459 - Show NotesTanya's websiteTanya's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Mar 27, 202334 min

Ep 458458 - One Action to Retain Top Talent

You rely on your SaaS partner to provide projects, but they don’t always come when you want them.You know, saying no to projects could, at best, lose your income and, at worst, stop you from getting future projects. So you take them on, knowing it will put pressure on your top talent. This can result in them feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and sometimes leaving. You can also be pulled back into working on the tools. So how can you save your top talent? In this solo podcast, I provide insights into using junior talent to support your top talent.This allows your top talent to do what they love to do best. I have partnered with staffing companies to provide your talent for approximately 2% of their annual salary. Email me at [email protected] so I can understand your circumstances and direct you to the right partner.Links458 - Show NotesCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Mar 23, 202311 min

Ep 457457 - Win/Win Negotiations is a Myth with Mark Raffan

Episode OverviewI can't remember who said it, but someone once said everything is negotiable. Therefore improving your negotiation skills is a plus.And this is why I bought one of the world's leading experts on negotiation for you.Mark dispels the myth that negotiation is about Win/Win. Then covers the 3 essential habits to be a better negotiator. Plan and prepare Role plays DebriefI know this looks too simple, but Mark's knowledge behind each of these three is gold. Mark also shares great tips on how to negotiate on video. Mark’s backgroundMark Raffan is a serial entrepreneur and lover of marketing and thought leadership. Mark is an expert in negotiation, influence, and persuasion. He has coached executives and teams in some of the largest companies in the world, such as Zendesk, Nike, Citi Bank, The Sasha Group, Salesforce, The US Army, LinkedIn, and Humana.Mark has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Thrive Global, Supply and Demand Chain Executive Magazine (as a 2019 pro-to-know), and has appeared on dozens of podcasts, including Make it Happen Mondays, The Brutal Truth About Sales, and The Insider’s Guide to Finance.Links457 - Show NotesMark's websiteMark's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Mar 20, 202342 min

Ep 456456 - 3 Ways to Get Out of the Weeds with Juliana Marulanda

Episode OverviewAre you constantly getting pulled back into client work and quality control in your services business? Are you at the end of the escalation process for most things in your business? Well, you need to hear what Juliana has to say. In our interview, we cover three ways to work ON your agency. Hiring the right managersHaving the right systems in place Creating and monitoring scorecards Juliana’s backgroundJuliana is a business operations expert, speaker, and founder of ScaleTime. With over 20+ years of experience across Wall Street, the nonprofit sector, technology startups, and family-owned businesses, she has served over 400+ digital agencies. She is featured on Forbes and Entrepreneur and helps uplevel businesses into lean, mean, profitable machines. On average, Juliana and her team create ways to free up at least 30 hours per week for her clients so they can have successful agencies that run without them. Founders can say, “I do what I want, how I want, whenever I want” - That is freedom.Links456 - Show NotesJuliana's websiteJuliana's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Mar 13, 202339 min

Ep 455455 - Behind The Scenes of Mentoring a Cloud Consultant

The other day, I was at the gym and wanted to move from supporter weights to free. I went and grabbed a personal trainer and asked her if she could help. She asked me what I wanted to achieve, what I was currently doing, and how committed I was to the training. And then she gave me one new exercise. She demonstrated it and then asked me to teach her how to do it. It is very similar to what I do as a mentor.People ask me the difference between a coach and a mentor. I am a qualified coach and have mentored in my corporate life and myself. Here is an example to explain how I see the two:Coach - Holds glass in different ways to see what liquid is inside. The liquid is owned by the coachee. A coach doesn't give advice - gets the coachee to see different perspectives.Mentor - Knows what glasses to use for what occasions and shares experiences.Both are used, but there is a difference. I like to mentor as I have built and sold a cloud consulting business, so I draw on those experiences.Five steps Step one - Trust A mentor and mentee relationship is built on trust. To gain trust, it helps to see what is behind the guard. I ask questions and dig into what drives them and what will change their lives. Also good to know the family as they directly impact and benefit from the change.Step two - Honesty corner Do a diagnostic to benchmark what is working, what isn't, and what can be added—Benchmark against the blueprint - Business model /Sales and marketing engine and High performing team. Two key areas of focus - Financials and ICP. Financials don't tell white lies - owners do. ICP is the hardest decision you make, and the rest follows.Step three - Focus Set 90-day goals and strategies from the diagnostic. Step four - Accountability Weeky calls covering wins, new deals, Existing clients, plans, and 3 key action items. Notes taken and calls recorded.Step five - Unfair advantage I know you're already busy and don't need more work. My team will help you. I've got frameworks, experts, and a network you can leverage. As an African proverb says - Go fast alone - go far together.A mentor should help you make life-changing decisions based on their experience and considering your circumstances.Like to experience a free strategy session, book a call at talkpaul.com Agree if it is right for you before proceeding.Key actions from today:Look for a mentor Book a call for me to help talkpaul.com Please follow me on Linkedin to get content specifically for Cloud Consultants.Links455 - Show NotesCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Mar 9, 202313 min

Ep 454454 - Growing Your Agency with Strategic Intent with Steve Whittington

Episode OverviewLearn the secrets of growing a full-service marketing agency and HubSpot partnership from a world-renowned mountaineer. Steve merged two agencies into one to service SMB businesses on the West Coast of Canada. In our interview on the Accelerate Sales Podcast, Steve lays out his strategic intent and why it makes everything easier. He also covers;His disciplined approach to qualifying clients His success with Linkedin AdsBuilding a fantastic culture Finally, a must-listen is his learning of climbing 50 of the tallest mountains on earth  - including Mount Everest and how it helps him to scale his business (pardon the pun 😉). Steve’s backgroundSteve Whittington is President of Roadmap, an agency that drives the entire go-to-market function of small B2B enterprises.Steve has over 25 years of executive experience and, as a result, calls himself a recovering executive. He has extensive board experience ranging from non-profits to NGOs, start-up advisory, and for-profit governance work.Academically, Steve was an instructor of Project Management and held professional designations in Sales, Marketing, and Customer Experience.Steve's first book Thriving in the Customer Age - teaches about the customer journey and provides a guiding framework spanning all stages of the customer experience.But if you ask Steve who he is, the answer is simple:Husband, father, leader, aging athlete, and lifelong learner.Links454 - Show NotesSteve's websiteSteve's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Mar 6, 202338 min

Ep 453453 - The Secrets of Growing 600% in 10 years with Barry Doucette

Episode OverviewYou're in the business of growing your own business. Barry successively grew his business by 600%, and in this podcast interview, he shares his 3 most critical steps.Value of picking a niche The three legs of the stool to a successful cloud consulting bizWhat marketing activities work Barry’s background Barry is a Leader in hi-tech consulting, staffing, services, and solutions who understands how to motivate multiple sales teams and develop rewarding client relationships. In ten years has grown his Microsoft Gold business by 600% and has plans to meet 1600% in 13 years. Has a direct team of 30 employees and 30 consultants. Canadian and has lived in Ottawa for 36 years, and is the fastest 62 old swimmer in any pool.Links453 - Show NotesBarry's websiteBarry's LinkedInCloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With PaulOn LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Feb 27, 202335 min

Ep 452452 - Introducing the Cloud Consultants podcast

In this episode, I talk through the change in podcast name from Accelerate Sales to Cloud Consultants. I want to let you know about an exciting brand change for the podcast Ep 461, on 7 April 2023, we will be rebranding the podcast from Accelerate Sales to Cloud Consultants show Why the Change?2022 niched down to cloud consultants Built Cloud Consultants Collective to 200+ people Built my expertise and network Love the industry and the people A genuine need for what we doSales - lack of sales - still a burning platform for many Cloud Consultants - there is more to scaling a CC business. Including the suitable business model, marketing, and team Felt the title Accelerate sales was not representing the topics discussed by guests This isn't our 1st rodeo On 4 May 2017, I launched the podcast, which was called corporate escapeesFor people who left corporate to run their own businessHaving left myself in 2011 and, I had built practical knowledge/experiences Ep 318 16 July 2021 changed to accelerate sales It was a major challenge for consultants/coaches at the time, and I specialized in solving it. It has changed as I have niched down to Cloud Consultants. Before I continue, I would like to talk about the scaling blueprint for Cloud Consultants. Ebook from my experience scaling and selling and coaching others to do the same Compare your business model, sales engine, and teamSo what will stay the same?Interview cloud consultants who have scaledInterview experts who help CCs do this Solo showsSponsors Free content What is different - broader topics and upcoming series - eg, Hiring talent Easier to find the content and improve the SEO A reminder: the Change effective Ep 461 on the 7 April 2023If you want to meet others Cloud Consultants, go to cloudconsultantscollective.com and join the world's only revenue-focused community for Cloud Consultants. Collaborate with peers to help you run a better business. Less technical - more bizThank guestsThanks, expertsThank youLinks452 - Show Notes Cloud Consultants CollectiveScaling BlueprintSendSparkJoin our newsletter Connect With Paul On LinkedInOn FacebookOn Twitter: @PaulHiggins555On Instagram: @paulhigginsmentoringEmail: [email protected]

Feb 23, 202310 min