Lessons learnt: 28 Years of Solo Practice
Lessons learnt: 28 Years of Solo Practice
From Facilitator to Revenue Catalyst: A Business Journey
Hi, it’s Clive. This post is written for those ambitious achievers who commit themselves to unreasonable results. Let's exchange what's predictable for what's possible.
Post 19 for a 30 day writing challenge.
The last time I had staff to lead (and a boss) was 28 years ago this week.
When I set out as a solo practitioner (not a solopreneur) I knew I’d never employ other people. Why? Too much drama, darlings.
Instead I set out to focus on my practice.
Performance facilitator and coach for corporates
I wanted to be a remarkable facilitator and coach.
And I ended up facilitating high-stakes meetings for some big companies in the IT sector. These ranged from getting teams to elite performance, through business planning, to mediation between warring factions. It was gruelling work.
Alongside this, I advised execs 1:1 on the agenda.
Then by chance, the owners of a boutique firm asked me to be their sales mentor.
That led to a change in direction. After 18 years of the corporate facilitation work, I was finally over the travel and hotel living. And I enjoyed the speed this small firm could move at.
Revenue Growth Catalyst for boutique firms
So I pivoted my practice and became a revenue growth catalyst for boutique firms.
That’s been my bread and butter work for 10 years now.
Of course it’s tempting to write the 28 things I learnt in 28 years of business essay. But I’ll spare us both that agony. Instead I’ll share the three pieces of advice I’d offer my younger self, looking back with what I now know.
Stop talking about what it is you want to do to solve a client’s issue, they don’t care. Focus on the outcome they’ll get as a result of working with you. They reward you for the value that brings.
Don’t take on work or clients your gut tells you not to. They’re always a pain in the arse and end up as the lowest profit gigs. Make sure your practice is full enough that you can turn them away not feeling you’ll starve if you don’t.
Treasure the 20% of people you most impact. The memories of that work will remind you long after you’ve finished working together why you started doing this. And they’ll inspire you to find the next in line.
Maybe not the most profound lessons, but the three that came immediately to mind as I write this freeform.
Is that all?
No, I just thought of one more lesson.
Start writing earlier. Ship something each and every day, if only a few words.
Now, I wonder what I’ll be saying when I do this again in 2052?
🚀 Let me ask — looking back from 28 years out what does success look like for you?
I work 1:1 with ambitious achievers who commit themselves to unreasonable results.
If that’s you please get in touch.
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