Consulting Matters

I’ve got some big news! I am finally, finally, finally starting to work on a very long-term goal I’ve had: writing my first book. Well, technically, I’ve decided to make it a workbook. And it’s focused on the brand positioning and messaging process that I have developed, honed, and refined over 10 years of working with hundreds of consultants and coaches. The goal with this workbook, and the reason I chose to make it a workbook, is that I want to make it easier for purpose-driven consultants and coaches to get clarity on what they do and their message, so they can get out there and land the work they deserve. Because we matter. What we do matters. And I want to make what I do available to more people. I had big plans to knock this out over the holidays. I thought I could take everything I already had—podcast episodes, blog posts, YouTube videos, and so many action sheets I use with private clients—and piece it all together. I assumed I’d have a finished workbook by the end of the holidays. That is not what happened. Taking everything I’ve created and turning it into a cohesive narrative for someone who may never meet me in person was far harder than I expected. But it taught me so much, especially about the power of deconstructing what we do. When you pull your work apart like this, you start to appreciate what you actually do for your clients. I really thought I understood the value of what I do as a brand positioning and messaging strategist. Heck, I’ve been honing this process for over 10 years. But writing this workbook forced me to see the real power of my work in a way I hadn’t before. In this episode, I share the five deep truths I learned about both the challenge and the true payoff of refining your consulting or coaching brand positioning and messaging clarity—truths I could only see after tearing my own process apart on today’s episode of the Consulting Matters podcast. In this episode you’ll hear: The difference between brand position as a noun and brand positioning as a verb, and why it matters Why deconstructing your work helps you appreciate the value you actually create for clients How the hardest parts of your process often reveal your zone of genius Why brand positioning is about intentional control, not letting the market define you How clarity in brand positioning and messaging serves your future clients, not just your business Where to dive in: 00:00 Introduction to Brand Positioning and Messaging01:05 The Journey of Writing a Workbook04:15 Understanding Brand Position vs. Brand Positioning10:35 The Flip in Brand Positioning Strategy15:41 Connecting Branding to Purpose20:27 Discovering Your Superpowers24:58 The Impact of Branding on Client Trust30:29 Recap Next steps: Deconstruct what you do: Take time to pull your work apart step by step. Look at how you take a client from where they are to where they want to go, and notice where the hardest parts are to explain. Those places often reveal your unique strengths and zone of genius. Audit your brand touchpoints: Review your website, LinkedIn, and other places clients encounter you. Ask yourself what they are communicating about who you help, the value you provide, and whether they instill trust that you are the right partner for the problem your clients are facing. Book a discovery call or explore Betsy’s services: If you want support clarifying your brand positioning and messaging, visit BetsyJordyn.com/services to learn more about her programs, or book a free discovery call using the button at the top of the site to talk through your next step. Other episodes you may enjoy: Everyday Storytelling with Ex-Disney Execs with Rick and Bob Allen (Ep145) Why Community Accelerates Your Income and Impact (Ep144) Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140) About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.  

If you think storytelling is just for the stage, think again. In this week’s episode of Consulting Matters, I sat down with not one but two former Disney executives—brothers Bob and Rick Allen—who know the real power of story: not just to entertain, but to lead, influence, and change minds. Their Disney roots run deep (102 years combined, starting with their dad, who worked alongside Walt himself). But what they reveal goes far beyond theme parks and parades. Tune-in To Hear:  Why story—not data—is the consultant’s real superpower A behind-the-scenes look at how Disney embeds story into everything (including spreadsheets) The 6 storytelling elements every coach and consultant should master Why does how you share your ideas matter more than how smart your ideas are How to use story to influence even the most results-driven executives And yes, we swap some epic Disney tales, from launching resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge to transforming a Disney division into a private company (and surviving 9/11 with a Navy contract!). If you love Disney, storytelling - or just want to coach and consult with more meaning - this episode is a must-listen. Chapters: 01:32 Disney Family Legacy and Its Impact  16:46 From Disney to Entrepreneurship  23:30 The Power of Storytelling  39:14 Engaging Through Anecdotes  43:54 Influencing Through Connection  56:32 Zenovation: Merging Mindfulness and Innovation 01:00:00 Tales of Mouse and Men: Insights from Disney 01:02:20 Building a Collaborative Network Next Steps: Notice where your message stops landing: Pay attention to the moments where you explain what you do, but people still look unsure. That is often a sign that the story is missing, not the expertise. Start with the picture before the process: In your next conversation or proposal, describe what changes when the work is successful before explaining how you get there. Stories help people see themselves in the outcome. Get support clarifying your message: If this episode made you realize you need help communicating the value of what you do, I created a free messaging guide to help. It includes four simple questions designed to help you move from confused to confident, with messaging that makes the right clients say, “Where have you been? I need you.” Download it here: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/confused-to-confident Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Shape What Clients Think You’re Worth with Casey Brown (Ep143) Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140) The Curse of Knowledge: Why Your Expertise Might Be Hurting Your Message (Ep139) About my guests: Rick Allen began his Disney career sweeping the streets of Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom, a role that launched a 43-year journey with Walt Disney World. Over the course of his career, Rick spent 24 years in executive leadership across theme parks and resort hotels, served on the grand opening team for Disneyland Paris, and led the operations design and opening of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. After retiring from Disney, Rick served as Chief Operating Officer for Give Kids The World and later as COO for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. He now consults with organizations in hospitality and experience design and serves on the board of Shepherd’s Hope, a nonprofit providing free healthcare to the uninsured in Central Florida. Rick is passionate about unleashing the power of inspiration to elevate customer experience. Bob Allen is the Chief Storytelling Officer at IDEAS and brings decades of creative leadership from across Disney’s entertainment and production legacy. He began his career in the entertainment industry as a musician at 16 and went on to hold key roles in Disneyland’s Live Entertainment division, contributing to major productions including the Main Street Electrical Parade. Bob later worked as a writer and producer with Walt Disney Imagineering, helping develop attractions for EPCOT, and went on to lead film, tape, and multimedia production for Tokyo Disneyland. After relocating to Walt Disney World, Bob held senior leadership roles including Director of Film and Tape Production and Vice President of Disney Production Services, overseeing creative operations at Disney-MGM Studios. Today, Bob focuses on concept development, experience design, and branding, helping organizations harness the power of story to create meaningful, memorable experiences. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. And together, we're gonna have a conversation about what storytelling really is, why it matters so much more than most consultant-coaches realize, and how to use it to elevate your influence and impact.

 So, are you one of those people who like to pick a word to reflect your intention for the year? Well, I am! It took a bit, but I finally figured out my word for 2026, and it’s actually 2 words – meaningful connection. I chose this as my intention for the year because I feel like I’m emerging from the sabbatical cocoon that was a big part of last year. And also because of the joy and fun I had leading my Impact and Income Accelerator mastermind, where I guided a group of both new and seasoned consultants and coaches through my Partnership Setup approach to landing strategic, high-paying clients. While the learning was powerful, the real magic was the connections forged within the group and the mutual support given and received. It's for this reason that I wanted to kick off my 2026 podcast season by having the group on the show! Tune in to hear real-world tips and insights into: How to hone clarity and confidence in the value of what you do How to convey that value when landing potential clients so that they are excited to invest in your strategic partnership And why you must get better results with these things and more when you make meaningful connections with people who share your vision, values, and struggles (beyond the one-on-one work type experience they get with me) Tired of going it and growing it alone? Good! You're not meant to. Tune in now to learn why meaningful connection might be the very thing you need to accelerate your success and impact in 2026! Chapters 00:00 The Power of Community in Consulting05:52 Personal Journeys and Business Challenges11:55 Strategic Positioning and Partnerships17:48 The Role of Proposals in Consulting23:59 Building a Supportive Community29:58 The Value of Accountability and Collaboration35:57 Reflections on Growth and Learning42:07 The Impact of Community on Business Success Next Steps If this resonated with you, here are a few ways to keep the momentum going: 1. Get Support With Your Positioning and Partnerships If you’re ready to move from “pair of hands” to strategic partner, I offer consulting and advisory services designed to help you clarify your positioning, package your expertise, and build client relationships that are grounded in trust and value. This is for consultants and coaches who want clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth. → Learn more about my services here: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services  2. Book a Discovery Call If you’re not sure what your next move should be, a discovery call is a good place to start. We’ll look at where you are, what’s creating friction, and what would actually help you move forward. No pressure. Just clarity. → Book a discovery call here.   Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Shape What Clients Think You’re Worth with Casey Brown (Ep143) Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140) How to Know If You Have a Messaging Problem (Ep138) About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

We’re at the end of the year, with my final episode of a season that has ultimately been about owning the power of what you do and positioning yourself for the clients, impact, and income you’re ready for. So, it feels exactly right to close the year with pricing expert Casey Brown. I initially invited Casey on the show for her to unpack what she said on her Ted Talk on knowing your worth and ask for it sums up not just my belief about pricing but about branding in general ... which is: “No one will ever pay you what you're worth. They'll pay you what they think you're worth, and you control their thinking." And then, as I prepped for this show, I discovered that her pricing expertise didn’t emerge from finance or even sales, but from her experience in lean and OD. She gets us, and she gets our unique challenges with seeing our value and then charging for it. If you want actionable inspiration on how to take charge of how clients see your worth, starting with how you see yourself, so you can go into 2026 strong, this episode is for you. Where to dive in: 00:00 The Core Truth About Pricing 00:26 Why This Conversation Matters 02:45 Casey’s Nonlinear Path to Pricing 07:44 Why Pricing Captivates Casey 11:36 Leaving Corporate to Start Her Business 15:25 The TED Talk Insight 21:22 Understanding What Clients Truly Want 29:23 The Power of Questions 37:31 Guiding With Expertise Authentically 43:02 Fear vs. Confidence in Pricing 46:53 Charge for Mastery, Not Minutes 52:48 How Boost Pricing Helps 59:19 Being Bold While Staying Flexible 01:03:00 Betsy’s Closing Reflections Next Steps Assess your current pricing mindset. Take a few minutes to identify the beliefs, assumptions, and fears that shape how you price your services. Notice where you may be undervaluing your expertise. Practice value-focused discovery questions. Select two or three questions from Casey’s approach that help uncover a client’s deeper goals and emotional drivers. Use them in your next sales conversation to strengthen clarity and confidence. Reach out to me if you want support. If you’re ready to explore these ideas more deeply, you can schedule a call with me. We’ll get to the bottom of what you really need and determine the best first step for strategic support. Book a call. Explore how to work with me. Other episodes you may enjoy: Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140) How to Know If You Have a Messaging Problem (Ep138) The Curse of Knowledge: Why Your Expertise Might Be Hurting Your Message (Ep139) About the guest: Casey helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and sellers discover their true pricing power—and watch their profits rise as a result. Casey’s expertise has helped thousands of companies generate over $1 billion in incremental profits by demystifying customer tactics and arming sellers with practical, ready-to-implement steps to negotiate with courage, price with confidence, and make more money. Her TED talk has been viewed nearly 4 million times. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

Unsure about your niche... what it is or if you should switch it? That's exactly what we're getting into today. Your niche is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, and it's the most misunderstood.  Your niche isn't about looking through your strengths and areas of expertise and having to choose one with a Sophie's-Choice-like decision. That is NOT going to work, because a niche is actually one that leverages all of you. A niche is just an easier-to-digest word for brand positioning. It's the unique space you own in the market and in your ideal clients' minds. It defines who you help and the problem, and then connects those dots to you and the unique value of your consulting or coaching.  And it's incredibly important, as it is the foundation for standing out in our crowded marketplace, which seems to get even more crowded with every layoff in these challenging times! The question becomes whether you should keep doing what you have been doing, stay on the path you have been on for a bit, or move on to something different. That's why I invited Brad Johnson onto the show. He is an executive performance coach and was in that very spot where he wanted to shift his focus. For the past few months, we have been trying to figure out where and how to focus his very unique combination of strengths, education, and personal story. If you're where Brad was, knowing you have something powerful to offer but struggle with your niche and want to get out of the back and forth that's happening in your mind, this is the episode for you.  In This Episode, We Discuss What a niche really is and why most people define it wrong How to know when it's time to pivot or refine your niche The fears that come up around narrowing your focus (and why they’re normal) The breakthrough moment that helped Brad land absolute clarity How niche clarity instantly improves networking, messaging, and sales conversations Where To Dive In (00:01) Discovering Your Niche(03:40) Career Evolution and Coaching Transition(11:28) Defining Your Coaching Niche(24:16) Identifying Ideal Client Breakthrough(28:13) Maximizing Business Performance Through Science(37:21) Client Discovery and Ideal Connections(43:45) Strategic Coaching Differentiation and Framing(55:12) Navigating Customized Coaching Solutions Next Steps Reflect on Your Own Niche Clarity Take 5 minutes to notice where your positioning feels foggy, confusing, or too broad. Awareness is the first step toward real clarity. Identify the Patterns in Your Best Clients Think about the clients you love working with — the ones who energize you and get the best results. Write down the common traits they share. Assess Where You Might Be the Bottleneck If your brand, message, or niche feels all over the place, ask yourself: “Am I avoiding narrowing down because it feels risky?” Get Support Instead of Spinning Your Wheels You don’t need to figure this out alone. Book a Clarity Conversation so we can help you land your niche, refine your ideal client, and strengthen your message with confidence. Book a call Other episodes you may enjoy: Lost Your Business Mojo? How Pamela Johnson Got Hers Back (Ep141) Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140) The Million-Dollar Milestone I Almost Hid (Ep135) About the guest: Brad Johnson is a high-performance coach who works with driven leaders who want to excel in business, health, family, and impact without burning out. Drawing on performance psychology and years of coaching high-achievers, he helps clients break through mental and physical obstacles so they can lead, live, and perform at their best. Brad partners with executives and founders who feel stuck or unfocused and need clear systems, structure, and support to match their ambition. Through customized strategies and tools, he helps them become the kind of leader who can grow a thriving company and still be fully present at home. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

Have you lost your business mojo? I’ve been there too. This episode dives into that moment many consultants and coaches experience after they have been at it for a while. You have invested so much time, money, and heart into building a business you once loved, and then, almost without warning, you stopped loving it. It is just not working for you anymore. You might still have clients, but they are not the right ones, or the work you are landing no longer lights you up. When that happens, marketing starts to feel heavy, draining, and like something you want to avoid. So what do you do when you reach that point, when your business still needs to survive and thrive, but you feel out of alignment? You make a change. That is exactly what happened to today's guest, Pamela Johnson. She is a client I have been working with for several months, and she was in that exact place. Her business was successful, but she had fallen out of love with it and knew she wanted something different. Instead of doubling down on what was no longer working or trying to force a new marketing tactic, she focused on rebuilding the foundation of her business. That clarity helped her discover who she truly wanted to work with now, not who she had served in the past. And once she got that clarity, everything changed. I could tell you the whole story because I walked with her through every step inside my VIP brand messaging and positioning program. But you are going to enjoy hearing it directly from her. I am so excited to introduce you to Pamela and share how she got her business mojo back. Where to dive in: (00:00) Business Mojo Revival With Pamela Johnson(03:41) Transitioning to Real Estate Coaching(07:31) Uncovering Lost Business Mojo(20:12) Unlocking Clarity for Business Success(28:56) Personalized Business Development Strategies(42:01) Empowering Women in Business Retreats(45:52) Embracing Your Personal Story(53:34) Personalized Branding and Positioning Services Next Steps Reflect on Your Own Mojo: Take 5 minutes to notice where your business feels out of alignment. What’s draining you? What feels like Groundhog Day? Awareness is the first shift toward renewal. Revisit Who You’re Really Called to Serve: Ask yourself the same clarifying question Pamela answered: Who comes to you for advice? Who do you naturally help? Write down the people you feel most energized supporting. Book a Clarity Conversation: Want messaging that finally matches the consultant you’ve become? Grab a spot on my calendar and let’s build it together. Other episodes you may enjoy: Inside My Brand Messaging Process (and Why It Always Works) (Ep140) The Curse of Knowledge: Why Your Expertise Might Be Hurting Your Message How to Know If You Have a Messaging Problem (Ep138) The Million-Dollar Milestone I Almost Hid (Ep135) About the guest: Pamela Johnson is a veteran real-estate agent turned trainer and coach who helps agents and small business owners escape the burnout loop and build something that finally sticks. After launching her career with just two sales in her first year and moving into corporate training and team leadership, she learned just how fast time, energy and profit can slip through a business if you don’t have the right systems and habits in place. Now, as the founder of Pamela Johnson Coaching, she supports professionals in identifying the “money burners, time-wasters and de-motivators” that quietly drain success and joy so they can replace them with purpose-driven work and a business they genuinely love. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve talked about how to tell if you have a brand messaging problem, why it’s worth fixing, and how the sneaky culprit behind fuzzy messaging is the curse of knowledge—a trap that’s so easy for consultants and coaches to fall into. This week, we’re getting into the fix. Or more accurately, my fix. I’m taking you behind the scenes of my brand positioning and messaging process, which all my clients begin with before we frame their offers, build their websites, or strategize how they will attract and land strategic client engagements.  It’s my signature process, one I’ve been honing for nearly 10 years, ever since I first got serious about pivoting my business to work exclusively with consultants and coaches. What makes this process unique is that it’s designed by a consultant and coach with 30 years in the industry, and customized for consultants and coaches who are intentional about both their business and their life. It’s built to help you attract the right clients, yes, but just as importantly, to build the business that’s meant for you, the one that reflects your strengths, passions, and purpose, and supports your life priorities. So if you’re at an inflection point in your consulting or coaching business, whether you’re starting your first business, building something of your own after relying on referrals or subcontracting, or pivoting focus and finding yourself in that confusing in-between space where you’re ready for more but your messaging hasn’t caught up... this episode is for you. Where to Dive In: (00:00) Brand Messaging for Consultants and Coaches(10:50) Discovering Your Consulting Identity(17:43) Refining Brand Positioning and Messaging(24:44) Crafting Your Ideal Client Archetype(32:16) Crafting Your Brand Value Proposition(43:22) Building Your Brand Foundation(52:10) Mastering Brand Messaging for Consultants Next Steps: Download the free Messaging Guide so you can follow along and start shaping your brand positioning with clarity and confidence: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/confused-to-confident  Start noticing the real data around you by paying attention to who reaches out for help and what problems they’re trying to solve. Review your past feedback and thank-you notes to spot the themes in the value you consistently create for others. Other episodes you may enjoy: The Curse of Knowledge: Why Your Expertise Might Be Hurting Your Message How to Know If You Have a Messaging Problem (Ep138) The Million-Dollar Milestone I Almost Hid (Ep135) About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

Is it possible that knowing too much is actually standing between you and the clients you want? In this episode of Consulting Matters, I’m unpacking one of the sneakiest barriers to clear communication—the curse of knowledge. After years of mastering our craft, it’s easy for consultants and coaches like us to forget what it’s like to not know what we know. That’s when jargon, industry terms, and virtue-driven statements start creeping into our messaging. And while they make us feel credible, they often leave potential clients feeling lost, disconnected, or even a little dumb. I’ll walk you through: Why it’s so easy for experts to fall into the curse of knowledge trap The most common ways it shows up in your messaging—through jargon, vague statements, and virtue signaling The story of how a dinner conversation with a Google executive completely changed the way I talk about what I do A simple but powerful way to shift your focus from you to your ideal clients so your message finally clicks By the end of this episode, you’ll see how to take the spotlight off of yourself, get out of your head, and start using your clients’ own language to describe the value you create. Where to Dive In: (00:00) The Curse of Knowledge Trap(04:12) The Curse of Knowledge Trap Explained(09:03) Mastering Brand Messaging for Client Success Three Next Steps: Audit your messaging: Read your website or LinkedIn “About” section out loud. Notice where you might be using words your clients wouldn’t naturally say. Listen for client language: Record your discovery calls or review client surveys. Highlight the exact words they use to describe their challenges and goals—and use those in your copy. Clarify your “who” before your “what”: Get clear on who your ideal client is, what problem they’re trying to solve, and what’s standing in their way before you talk about your services. You can download my free Confused to Confident messaging guide at betsyjordyn.com/confused-to-confident to start putting these insights into action. Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Know If You Have a Messaging Problem (Ep138) The Million-Dollar Milestone I Almost Hid (Ep135) How to Be Confident in Your Pricing and Get Paid What You’re Worth with Karen Laos (Ep133) About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

What's holding you back from the success and impact you're ready for as a consultant, a coach, a business owner? Is it marketing? Is it fear? Or is it simply unclear and fuzzy brand messaging? Let's dig deeper. How do you feel when someone asks you what you do? Do you feel excitement or dread? Or how easy is it for you to write copy for your website or for your marketing, your LinkedIn bio? Does it flow, or do you sit for hours, analyzing, paralyzed, and suffering from writer's block? Tune in to hear if brand messaging might be contributing to your struggle and, if so, why you need to address it. If you feel stuck when you're writing and talking about what you do, chances are, my friend, you might have a brand messaging problem. It may feel like a confidence problem, it may feel like a marketing problem, but more often than not, it's a brand messaging problem. I totally get it. I've been having a messaging problem. You are going to be one relieved listener, because today I'm starting a brand new series on the power of clear messaging for consultants and coaches. We're going to kick off this series with today's episode, which is all about identifying the signs, indicators, and why you MUST fix them. Where to dive in: (00:00) Clear Messaging for Consultants and Coaches(04:23) Improve Brand Messaging Signs(16:18) Client Fit Impacts Profitability and Efficiency(20:32) Client Fit and Messaging Clarity(29:48) Unique Brand Messaging Is Essential(35:36) Crafting Effective Brand Messaging Next steps:  Brand Messaging & Positioning If your message isn’t clearly communicating the value you bring, even the best expertise can be overlooked. We help you articulate a compelling, differentiated brand message so the right clients instantly understand who you are, what you do, and why you’re the strategic partner they need. Learn more about our brand positioning services here. Schedule a Discovery Call Not sure what you need yet? Let’s talk it through. On a quick call, we’ll identify your goals, uncover what’s holding your brand back, and recommend the best next step for accelerating your impact and revenue. Book your call here. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

Turning your consulting or coaching expertise into a product, program, or technology that customers will pay for sounds exciting, but making that shift is not just a minor tweak. It is a complete business transformation that affects everything: • Your offers • Your messaging • Your marketing • Your value proposition • Your entire path to scale If you are feeling the grind of constantly chasing clients or working one on one with no room to grow, you might be craving more scale, more impact, and maybe even some passive revenue. That is when the idea of a product based business starts calling. Here is the truth that many consultants overlook. Switching from services to products can be incredibly rewarding if it is the right move for you and if it is done in the right way. That is why in this episode we are talking with Calvin Williams, an industrial engineer turned operations and continuous improvement leader who built a successful consulting business and then transformed it into Improver, a subscription based software platform that helps companies strengthen continuous improvement cultures at scale. In this conversation Calvin shares both sides of his journey:  Corporate leader to independent consultant Consultant to tech and product founder You will walk away with real world insight on what it takes to productize your expertise, build with your strengths, and choose the business model that truly fits you. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The strengths you need to succeed as a product creator Ways to reduce risk and ramp into entrepreneurship wisely How to apply Lean thinking to evolving your business When technology + coaching is the winning combo The mindset shift required to scale beyond client hours Where To Dive In: (00:00) Turning Consulting Expertise Into Product-Based Business(11:46) Entrepreneurship and Consulting Transition(18:02) Launching a Consulting Business Successfully(23:45) Embracing Entrepreneurial Mindset and Growth(31:57) Evolution of Lean Manufacturing Software(39:55) Continuous Improvement and Business Success(44:05) Building a Product-Based Business Model(51:47) Product vs. Service Mindset in Business(56:21) Maximizing Business Potential Through Continuous Improvement(01:02:41) Exploring Potential Business Opportunities Other episodes you may enjoy: Episode 120: Positioning Your Consulting Business for the Right Clients Episode 122: What No One Tells You About Sustaining Success as a Solopreneur About the guest: Calvin Williams is the founder and CEO of Impruver Inc., a company dedicated to helping organizations build continuous improvement cultures that unlock real freedom for people, businesses, and communities. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, he became the first in his family to earn a college degree, receiving his Industrial Engineering degree on a Division I athletic scholarship before later completing his MBA and working in top tier management consulting. Calvin believes continuous improvement is not a program but a daily battle between those who push for better and those who settle for the status quo, and he partners with operational excellence leaders to ensure the improvers win. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling.

What does it really take to influence transformational change?  Today we’re getting into the challenge of consulting and coaching in a very unstable world and how to influence leaders to buy-in and lead transformational change when the world is experiencing a historic wave of disruption – economic, political and institutional – unfolding all at once. To help us catalyze real leadership and organizational transformation, I’m bringing onto the show Seth Kahan. Seth is a recognized thought leader, strategist and expert in tackling complex global challenges. His work focuses on creating social movements and mobilizing collective action to solve intractable problems. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Seth Kahan went from street theater to the World Bank and what that taught him about leading large-scale change. The difference between incremental and transformational change, and why real transformation must be systemic. What consultants and leaders each bring to the table when driving meaningful change. Why influence starts with compassion, listening, and creating allies instead of trying to convince. How self-compassion and discernment help you lead change without losing your heart. Where to dive in: (00:00) Navigating Complex Change in Consulting(04:48) Making the Leap to Entrepreneurship(10:12) Leadership and Transformation in Change(17:03) Developing Influence Skills for Change Initiatives(28:15) Embracing Compassion in Change Leadership(35:55) Navigating Organizational Change Dynamics(42:22) Navigating Uncertain Times in Leadership(48:21) Navigating Transformational Change in Leadership(55:25) Strategic Leadership and Influence Skills Next steps: Learn more from Seth Kahan: Visit visionaryleadership.com and check out his book Getting Change Right for practical frameworks on leading transformation. Reflect on your own influence style: Ask yourself, am I trying to convince people, or am I inviting them to join me as allies in change? Practice self-compassion: Notice where you’re hard on yourself during times of uncertainty and give yourself the same grace you’d offer a client. Revisit your client readiness checklist: Before taking on a big project, make sure the organization and leaders truly want change, not just quick fixes. About the guest: Seth Kahan is a recognized thought leader, strategist, and expert in tackling complex global challenges. With a background at the World Bank and extensive experience collaborating with organizations that take on some of the world’s toughest problems, he has pioneered frameworks for addressing “Grand Challenges”—the world’s most pressing issues. Known for his ability to unite diverse organizations and drive systemic change, Seth’s work focuses on creating social movements and mobilizing collective action to solve intractable problems. https://visionaryleadership.com/  About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services  

Do you really stop and celebrate your growth in your big milestones in your consulting or coaching business journey? I know I sure don't. A few weeks ago, I received an award from Kajabi, the platform on which my website is built. They recognized me for earning a million dollars. I'm a "$1 million Superhero," and when I got this award, I felt really weird about it. I wasn't sure what to make of it, because it's like, wow, I made a million dollars from this B2C business that I've been working on for the last few years, and at first, I didn't want to celebrate it. Why? Because I'm embarrassed. It took me so much longer to achieve this milestone than it did when I started my consulting business.  I got this award right before I went on vacation. It coincided with my 15th anniversary in business, and then I did a podcast with Karen Laus on confidence in pricing and confidence in general. So, I went on vacation and had lots of time to think about why I want to hide something so meaningful.  In this episode, you'll hear: The real story behind my $1 million milestone. How I found the courage to leave Disney, rebuild after divorce, and pivot my business completely. The mindset shifts that helped me move from embarrassment to celebration. Why sharing your success isn't bragging, it's essential. A simple reframe to help you own your wins with integrity and inspire others to do the same. Next Steps Celebrate with me: Take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come. Share your own milestone or small win publicly, or with a trusted peer, and let others witness your success. Drop it in the comments of the post for this episode! I want to hear about it. Practice “sober celebration”: Reflect on your achievements with integrity... not exaggerating, not minimizing, simply acknowledging what’s true. Inspire courage: Use your transparency to encourage others. When you share what’s possible, you expand what others believe is possible for them. Reframe success: Remember, sharing your wins isn’t bragging. It’s important. It gives evidence of what’s possible when you lead with courage, purpose, and persistence. Join the conversation: Post your milestone on LinkedIn or your platform of choice and tag me. Let’s start normalizing the celebration of integrity-driven success. Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Be Confident in Your Pricing and Get Paid What You’re Worth with Karen Laos (Ep133) How to Land Strategic Client Engagements without Pushy Sales (EP129) The ROI of Elevating Your Strategic Positioning & Messaging with Katie Anderson (Ep126) About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services  

Today, we're exploring what it means to stay human in the age of AI and what it truly entails to create a human-centered organization in these challenging times. To help us explore this topic, my guest today is Edwin Mouriño-Ruiz. He's the president and founder of Human Intelligent Workplace, and he is dedicated to prioritizing human intelligence at work in the area of artificial intelligence. We dive into the impact of AI, among other things that are creating challenges for creating these human-centered workforces. We're going to provide some ideas for consultants and coaches who work on culture and people practices. How can they succeed in an environment where, let's face it, current legislation is definitely creating barriers to creating those welcoming workplaces? In this episode, you'll hear:  How Dr. Edwin Mouriño’s journey from the Air Force to academia inspired his focus on Human Intelligent Workplaces. What it really means to build human-centered organizations that prioritize leadership, culture, engagement, and psychological safety. Why AI should be seen as a tool to enhance, not replace, human intelligence—and how to keep our creativity and critical thinking alive in an AI world. How consultants and leaders can balance technology with empathy, authenticity, and compassion at work. The truth about DEI backlash and why many companies are simply rebranding their inclusion work and what demographic trends make this work essential. Practical advice for consultants helping clients create people-first cultures despite shifting legislation and cultural headwinds. What it takes for leaders to truly “stay human”: investing in personal growth, modeling healthy behaviors, and creating workplaces where people thrive. Where to dive in: (00:11) Human Intelligence in the Workplace(08:03) Navigating AI in People-Centered Workplace(12:48) Balancing AI and Human Creativity(23:31) Leadership Development and Diversity Strategies(28:27) Navigating Diversity Challenges in Organizations(40:13) Building Human Intelligence in the Workplace Next Steps: Revisit your leadership approach: Reflect on how you’re modeling empathy, authenticity, and care within your organization or with your clients. Audit your use of AI: Identify where technology enhances your work and where it might be replacing critical thinking or genuine connection. Reframe inclusion efforts: Keep building welcoming, human-centered workplaces by embedding DEI principles into everyday leadership and culture practices, even if the terminology changes. About the guest: Dr. Edwin Mouriño Ruiz, is an Air Force veteran, author, and leadership expert who helps organizations and leaders grow through emotional intelligence, DEI, and human-centered strategy. As founder of Human Intelligent (HI) Workplace, he combines decades of experience—from Fortune 100 consulting to academia—to empower teams to lead with purpose. His work bridges research and real-world impact, focusing on leadership development, organizational change, and building more human workplaces. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services  

Have you ever wondered if you’re charging enough for your consulting or coaching? I know I sure have. Maybe you’re stuck pricing by the hour, or maybe you discount to win the work. If that sounds like you, you’re in luck, because in this episode we’re getting into how to confidently ask for your worth and get paid for it. We’re wrapping up the series on the journey from service provider to strategic partner with a conversation about pricing - figuring out the right price, being confident in it and then asking for it. This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because it’s the full expression of my brand and show promise about owning the power of what you do. But the reality is for most of us, when it comes to being asked what you charge or choosing a price for your offers, it’s a moment of dread and fear, instead of confidence. But it doesn’t have to be. Today, my guest is Karen Laos who is a communication expert and confidence cultivator and popular speaker about pricing with confidence. She is going to show you how to ask clients to work with you without hesitation and charge fees that reflect your worth without apology. When you tune in you’ll discover:  Why pricing stirs up so much fear for consultants and coaches  How to know if it’s mindset or value clarity holding back your pricing  Why undercharging crushes your confidence (and shortchanges your clients)  How to shift from charging for time to charging for value  What to say when a client pushes back with “Your fees are too high” This conversation will be your boost of positive energy and give you the courage to price confidently, know your value, and prove ROI. Discover why the first sale is always to yourself, and when you can clearly connect your work to the outcomes clients achieve, you’ll never second-guess your worth again. Next Steps: Reflect on this: Where are you undervaluing yourself? Are you clearly communicating the transformation you deliver? Does your pricing reflect fear—or the true value you bring? If you’re ready to move from transactional service provider to transformational partner, the Impact and Income Accelerator is where we make it happen. This 8-week group coaching program will help you nail your value, position yourself strategically, and 10x your fees and impact, starting with your very next client. We kick off October 14, and spots are almost gone. Book a call with me today to see if it’s the right fit: www.betsyjordyn.com/accelerator . Other episodes you may enjoy: How to Use a Discovery Meeting to Multiply Revenue and Impact (Ep132) Quantify the Value of Your Consulting or Coaching with Jack Phillips (Ep131) Why Listening Pays with Rick Bommelje (Ep130) How to Land Strategic Client Engagements without Pushy Sales (EP129) About the guest: Karen Laos is a Communication Expert and Confidence Cultivator helping women overcome self-doubt and ask for what they want. With 25 years as a C-Suite advisor and speaker for Google, Starbucks, and NASA, she shares proven strategies that lead to more clients, promotions, and negotiation wins. She is the author of Trust Your Own Voice and host of the Ignite Your Confidence podcast. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services  

Are you ready to learn how to run the absolute best discovery meeting of your client's life?  Find out how to make that happen on today's episode of the Consulting Matters podcast.  I'm super excited about the Discovery Meeting because I believe in its power. It's literally the most important meeting of your entire consulting or coaching engagement, and it plays the defining role in both your impact and income potential. And if you are somebody who wants to work with leaders and organizations, this is the time to position yourself as the peer that they need, that your clients need, so that you can influence them to take action on the things that you envision for them that are in their best interest. There's so much to the discovery meeting. I've been leading up to this over the last few episodes. I really got focused on the principles of partnership with Peter Block in episode 123. I shared with you in the last couple of episodes about how to leverage strategic listening and the ROI mindset from Rick Bommelje and Jack Phillips. I shared with you the story of Katie Anderson and how she was able to level up her impact and income while working less in episode 126. All of this comes together here in this moment in the discovery meeting. Not only will you discover why this meeting is so critical, but you'll also learn how to make the most of it, positioning yourself as a strategic partner to your clients and increasing your chances of landing the strategic work. You're going to learn also why sharing your credentials is literally the worst way to establish your credibility and what you need to do instead, and I'm going to give you insight and tips on how to transform lame and rigid sales or contracting meetings into meaningful conversations that, in themselves, deliver powerful client value.  Where to dive in: (00:00) Maximizing Discovery Meeting Impact(10:55) Strategic Positioning for Impactful Discovery Meetings(21:32) Mastering the Discovery Meeting Pivot(28:50) Leveraging Pricing for Client ROI Next Step: If you’re ready to stop leaving money, influence, and opportunity on the table, it’s time to master the pivot from client “wants” to real strategic needs. That’s exactly what I’ll walk you through inside the Impact & Income Accelerator. This 8-week group coaching program will help you: Run discovery meetings that position you as a trusted partner (not a service provider). Confidently link your fees to ROI, not hours. Create compelling proposals your clients can’t wait to say yes to. 👉 Learn more and reserve your spot here: betsyjordyn.com/accelerator About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services  

 Ever feel that gap between knowing that your consulting or coaching adds tremendous value to your clients and being able to articulate that value, let alone quantify it? Today’s episode of the Consulting Matters podcast is going to change that.  We are not just talking about clarifying the value of what you do; we're also about quantifying it and making that value clear, credible, and compelling to the clients you're trying to attract. It's for this reason that I'm super-excited to share my interview with Jack Phillips. He is literally the leading expert on this.  Jack is an author of numerous books and the founder of the ROI Institute. His ROI methodology is a proven framework for showing the value of what we do and the return our clients get from working with us. And if that doesn't entice you enough, let me tell you, he first made an impact on me way back in 1999! I met Jack when I was a new OD consultant at Disney. He taught the ROI workshop to my organization's development team. And that workshop played a key role in my success and led me to position myself more strategically with Disney executives. His ROI framework, and more over, the ROI mindset has also had a profound impact on what I do NOW to help consultants and coaches to position themselves more strategically in the market and with their clients. Listen to this episode so you can: Get clarity not just on what you do or even the value, but on the ROI. The ROI skillset and mindset transform everything! Change how you view yourself. You’ll shift from being seen as a cost center to being valued as an investment, and that shift transforms how you position yourself, especially when landing clients. Learn how to use Jack’s framework to connect the dots between the work you do that may at first glance feel “soft” to the hard outcomes your clients care most about. Get a practical hack for speaking the language of business, for instant credibility. This interview will show you the key to unlocking more money through making a bigger difference. Where to dive in: (00:00) Quantifying Value in Consulting and Coaching(04:19) Leveraging Value in Career Advancement(14:15) Maximizing ROI in Consulting and Coaching(28:26) Prioritizing Business Outcomes in Consulting(33:35) Driving Business Impact Through Leadership Coherence(49:21) Unlocking Value Through ROI Mindset(59:01) Implementing ROI Thinking Across Sectors Next Steps: Don’t miss the early bird pricing for my new 8-week group coaching program, Impact and Income Accelerator, starting October 14th. In this program, you’ll learn how to apply the ROI mindset directly to your client conversations so you can land bigger, higher-paying engagements with ease. Get all the details at betsyjordyn.com/accelerator Jack Phillips is generously giving away his book The Consultant Scorecard to Consulting Matters listeners. To claim your free copy, simply visit ROI Institute  and mention that you heard Jack on the podcast when you submit your shipping address. https://roiinstitute.net/contact-us/  About the guest: Dr. Jack J. Phillips, Chairman of ROI Institute and creator of the ROI Methodology®, is a global authority on accountability, measurement, and business impact. Author of 100+ books and former bank president, he has helped Fortune 500 companies and governments worldwide prove the value of their initiatives. Named one of the Top 50 Coaches in the World by Thinkers50, Jack’s work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and CNN.  About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services    

Ever notice how many consultants and coaches struggle with trying to figure out the right questions to ask? Which, honestly, is better than obsessing over the right advice to give. Here’s the truth: it’s not about the question. It’s about how well you listen to the answer. That’s why I’m super-excited about this week’s Consulting Matters episode. I got to sit down with my very first mentor—Dr. Rick Bommelje. He’s the one who taught me, 30 years ago, the advice that changed everything for me: no one will automatically use your expertise the way you want—you have to position yourself for it.  Rick is also one of the world’s leading experts on listening. And in this conversation, he breaks down why listening isn’t just a nice-to-have skill. It’s the skill that earns you permission to influence and builds credibility more than anything else. Here’s what you’ll discover when you tune in:   What listening really means (spoiler: it’s way more than nodding and eye contact)  Why listening is the ultimate consulting and coaching competency  How listening changes the game in discovery meetings and coaching sessions  The role listening plays when clients face big, messy, “adaptive” challenges  How listening also applies inward and helps you discern your own vocation and purpose This one’s special to me.  It’s not every day you get to honor someone who’s made such a lasting difference in your career. (You’ll even hear me tear up as I share the depth of my gratitude.) If you’ve ever gotten value from my advice on positioning for impact, you have Rick to thank. Where to dive in: (00:00) Mastering Impact and Income Accelerator(06:27) Career Transformations Through Mentorship(22:33) The Power of Active Seer Listening(39:37) Navigating Leadership Through Adaptive Challenges(55:24) Deepening Leadership Through Authentic Listening Next step:  Active, reflective listening is a cornerstone of my Partnership Setup™ approach to landing strategic client engagements. It’s the skill that earns you permission to move past “what they want” into real business goals. If you want to master this in your own practice, join me inside my brand-new group coaching program, the Impact and Income Accelerator, starting October 14. Enrollment is open now, and early bird discounts are available. Sign up here https://www.betsyjordyn.com/accelerator About the guest: Rick Bommelje has over 30 years of professional experience in the fields of leadership, listening, and adult education. Rick is a Professor in the Department of Communication at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. The Princeton Review named Rick one of ‘The Best 300 Professors’ in the Nation. He also is the past President of the International Listening Association and was inducted into the Listening Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rick and Lyman Steil published the pioneering book, “Listening Leaders: The Ten Golden Rules to Listen, Lead, and Succeed”. Rick’s latest book is titled “Listening Pays: Achieve Significance through the Power of Listening”. He facilitates retreats on the Courage to Lead. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services  

Why do some consultants and coaches land the strategic, bigger, higher-impact and higher-paying client engagements? Hint: it’s not better sales or contracting skills.  Pay close attention this episode where I’ll share with you how to use the very skills that make you such an amazing consultant or coach (active listening, bringing order to chaos, relationship building) to shift your approach to landing clients from sales and contracting to partnership set up for greater impact and income.  In this episode of Consulting Matters, I break down the essential shifts you need to make if you want to consistently land strategic client engagements without feeling pushy, manipulative, or “salesy.” What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why giving clients what they ask for will keep you from strategic, high-paying engagements How to accelerate your shift from service provider to strategic partner, step by step (in a way that works with how your brain makes change)  How to turn discovery meetings, proposals, and pricing from a source of stress into a foundation of influence Why It Matters If you’re tired of chasing clients or feeling like you’re stuck in a cycle of lower-paying work, this episode will help you reposition yourself for engagements that are more strategic, more rewarding, and more aligned with your expertise. Where to Dive In: (00:00) The Power of Partnership Setup(08:07) Service Provider to Strategic Partner Transition(15:37) Creating a Vision for Strategic Partnerships(20:17) Creating Vision for Client Relationships(30:18) Building Trust and Value With Clients(39:34) Mastering Strategic Consulting Skills Through Practice(46:32) Transitioning to Strategic Partner Roles(54:00) Embracing the Impact of Consulting Next Steps: Ready to master partnership setup and land more strategic client engagements? Check out my brand-new group coaching experience, the Impact and Income Accelerator. You’ll learn how to position yourself for greater impact and income and help even hesitant clients see the rock-solid ROI of working with you. 👉 Get all the details and early-bird pricing at betsyjordyn.com/accelerator . And don’t forget to subscribe to the Consulting Matters podcast so you never miss an episode.  About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services    

Are you positioning your consulting or coaching as a service provider or as a strategic partner? In this episode, I break down the difference, the trap most of us fall into, and how you can start shifting into the role that positions your consulting or coaching for greater influence. This is the question I’m diving into as I kick off my new series, From Service Provider to Strategic Partner. I’ll walk you through the difference between being a service provider by choice (and why that can be a great fit), versus falling into the accidental service provider trap. We’ll also explore what it means to step into the role of strategic partner, why it matters, and how it sets you up for greater impact and income. I’ll share: How to know if you’re in the service provider trap (and what it’s really costing you). Why so many of us fall into service provider mode after leaving our 9-to-5. What it really looks like to show up as a strategic partner, and how your value shifts when you do. Simple steps to begin making this shift with your very next client opportunity. If you’ve been hustling for piecemeal gigs, stuck in labor intensive projects or billing by the hour but know you’re capable of more — this episode will help you see a new path forward. Where to dive in: (0:00:36) – What this series is about and why it matters (0:05:42) – Service provider by choice and the clear value it creates (0:11:18) – The accidental service provider trap (and how to spot it) (0:18:55) – Why we all fall into service provider mode at first (0:23:21) – The role of strategic partner and how to position yourself for it Next steps: Reflect on and then choose what works best for you — service provider or strategic partner. If strategic partner is your answer (but you’re not there yet), notice what mindset shifts you’re already seeing that you need to make so you can be open to the new approaches I’ll be sharing in the coming episodes. And when you’re done listening, grab my free Discovery Meeting Script at betsyjordyn.com/discovery-meeting-script. It’ll show you the exact questions to ask — and how to ask them — so you can start making this shift in your very next client conversation. I’m also launching a new group coaching program that turns these partnership principles into action. You’ll get step-by-step guidance and peer support to make this process your own and immediately level up your impact and income — starting with your very next client. Email me at betsy@betsyjordyn.com if you want early access details (and an exclusive discount for early action.) Related Episodes from Consulting Matters: How to Escape the “Relying on Referral” Trap (and Get More of The Right Clients) (Ep121) The Pair of Hands Trap: What Keeps Consultants From Strategic Client Partnership (Ep 53) Four Parts of a Well Positioned Consulting or Coaching Brand (Ep47) About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand positioning and messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 30 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a high-impact, high-income consulting or coaching business? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services   

Too often, Lean consultants and improvement practitioners have the skills and tools to create massive transformation but struggle to communicate their value in a way that resonates with executives and decision-makers. In this bonus episode, I sit down with Katie Anderson, internationally recognized leadership and Lean consultant, to talk about why positioning and language matter just as much as technical expertise. Together, we unpack the challenges practitioners face when they rely on jargon and how reframing your message in terms of outcomes, people, and business value opens doors to greater influence. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Lean practitioners often undersell their impact by focusing on tools instead of transformation How to drop jargon and speak in language executives immediately understand The power of positioning yourself as a strategic partner, not just a process expert Why “respect for people” is not just a Lean principle but a compelling value proposition Practical tips to reframe your message so it connects to both business results and human impact Why This Conversation Matters If you have ever felt frustrated that leaders do not understand what you do, this episode is for you. Katie and I dig into the real reason. It is not that your work lacks value. It is that the way you describe it may not bridge the gap between process improvement and business outcomes. This conversation will help you reimagine how you talk about your expertise so that you are seen not as a support function but as an indispensable partner in driving organizational success. Where To Dive In (00:10) Empowering Lean Consultants Through Positioning(11:59) Developing Lean Culture for Employee Engagement(16:48) Framing Value Transformation for Lean Implementation(22:58) Aligning Consultants for Organizational Transformation(32:57) Creating a Unified Vision for Change(44:29) Articulating Value and Impact in Lean(50:03) Measuring and Communicating Lean Value Next Steps If this conversation with Katie Anderson resonated with you and you’re ready to level up your own positioning and influence as a consultant, I’ve created a free resource just for you. This FREE audio training and workbook,  From Playing Small to Playing True, has proven strategies to get you the clarity & confidence you need to go after the consulting or coaching clients, impact & income you’re ready for. When you know the value of what you do and convey it with clarity, building a highly profitable, purpose-driven consulting or coaching business isn’t just possible, but inevitable! (even in challenging economic times). Sign up here. Check out my other episode where Katie and I dive into the ROI of her positioning and messaging transformation. AND you can see the full case study on Katie's brand positioning transformation here. If you’re ready to stop hiding behind jargon and start positioning your expertise in a way that leaders truly understand, let’s talk. Book a free discovery call with me and we’ll explore how you can elevate your message, expand your influence, and create the impact you’re meant to have. Book your Discovery Call and learn more about my services here. If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: The ROI of Elevating Your Strategic Positioning & Messaging with Katie Anderson (Ep126) How to Use Your Love for Learning to Take Bigger Risks with Katie Anderson (Ep35) Why Lean Is the Best Way to True Employee Engagement with Tom West and Mark Ryan (Ep125) What If We Got Employee Engagement All Wrong with Beverly Crowell (Ep124) Peter Block on Flawless Consulting, Relationship Power & the Common Good (Ep123) About the guest:  Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership consultant, professional speaker, and learning enthusiast, who inspires and equips purpose-driven leaders create organizational learning cultures that foster innovation, engagement, and continuous improvement. A skilled change agent, Katie has empowered tens of thousands of global leaders across diverse industries to transform their cultures and accelerate individual and organizational impact. Katie is the author of the bestselling book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn, which has received multiple international awards, including the Shingo Publication Award, and has been translated into over eight languages. Katie is also the host of the transformational leadership podcast Chain of Learning®. Katie holds a BA with honors from Stanford University and was a Fulbright Scholar in Australia, where she received her Master’s degree in public health policy. A global citizen who has lived in seven countries, Katie regularly hosts an immersive Japan Leadership Experience for global leaders looking to deepen their knowledge of people-centered leadership and operational excellence. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services