The Real Deal: Your 3-Year Roadmap to Consultancy Success

Hey there, future consultant! Let's discuss how to turn your consulting dreams into a thriving business. It's a journey, not a sprint, but rest assured, I've got your back.

The Early Days: My Pants-On-Fire Experience

Let me be clear - my first year as an entrepreneur was pure chaos. I was busy, absolutely, but busy doing what? I bet you can guess it. It felt like running a marathon with no finish line.

But here's the great news: as I conclude year two, I've discovered the code. The game-changer? A multi-year roadmap that's crystal clear. And trust me, it's been a lifesaver.

Why The Roadmap is Important

Having this big-picture view isn't just nice—it's essential. It's empowered me to:

• Prioritize goals with precision and clarity

• Confidently assess my progress and ensure I'm moving forward

• Maintain composure during those inevitable slow periods

So, let's dive into this 3-year journey. Buckle up, it's going to be an exciting ride!

Charting Your Path

Starting a consultancy isn't a walk in the park, but it's definitely achievable. It's a 3-year journey, with each year having its own theme and success criteria. Follow the plan, tick those boxes confidently, and you'll achieve great success.

Each year has a different theme for you to focus on

Year 1: The "What Am I Doing?" Phase

Welcome to year one, a.k.a. the "try everything and see what sticks" phase. Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

1. Develop those fundamental entrepreneurship skills

2. Figure out which type of consulting lights your fire
   

Remember, switching to entrepreneurship is a career change. You wouldn't expect to become a brain surgeon overnight, right? Same deal here. Focus on building these skills:

• Self-promotion (without feeling like a car salesman)

• Making asks (it gets easier, I promise)

• Fast execution (because "I'll do it tomorrow" doesn't pay the bills)

• Consistency (your new best friend)

• Content creation (hello, midnight LinkedIn posts!)

• Quick decision-making (analysis paralysis is so last year)
  

This is also your year to try on different entrepreneurial hats. Coaching, freelancing, courses, products - give 'em all a whirl. By year's end, you should have a pretty good idea of what floats your boat.

For me, consulting was the clear winner. Maybe for you, it'll be something else. The point is to find that one thing that makes you think, "Yeah, I could do this all day."

Year 2: The "Okay, I Might Actually Know What I'm Doing" Phase

Congrats! You've conquered year one, mastered the basics, and chosen consulting as your path. Now it's time to level up.

Your year 2 goals:

1. Develop those consultant-specific skills

2. Pick your specialty (because you can't be everything to everyone)

Here's what you need to master:

• Pricing projects (without undervaluing yourself or scaring clients away)

• Understanding consultancy finances (spreadsheets are your new BFF)
  

• Managing client expectations (no, you can't read minds... yet)

• Delivering projects successfully (this is where the magic happens)

• Writing killer proposals and case studies (your ticket to more clients)

• Qualifying leads (because not all that glitters is gold)

• Positioning and differentiation (stand out or get lost in the crowd)

• Creating a lead generation plan (clients don't grow on trees, unfortunately)

By year's end, you'll have several projects under your belt, a diverse client base, and a clear idea of who your ideal clients are. Plus, you'll have a solid plan for finding more of these dream clients in year 3.

Year 3: The "I've Got This" Phase

You've made it to year 3! You're no longer the new kid on the block - you're a bonafide consultant with a track record. This year is all about focus and scaling.

Your mission:

1. Dive deep into your chosen specialty

2. Become the go-to expert in your field

What does success look like this year?

• Your client list reads like a "Who's Who" of your target industry

• Your lead generation plan is running smoother than a freshly waxed floor

• You're sharing industry insights that are on fire (because they are)

By now, you should be able to forecast your finances without breaking a sweat, and your project delivery should be spot-on.

Your journey should be narrower

What This Means for You Right Now

Alright, we've mapped out the 3-year journey. But what does this mean for you today? Let's break it down.

1. Know Where You Stand

There are levels in this consulting game, just like in your favorite video game. You wouldn't fight the final boss without leveling up first, right? Same deal here.

Ask yourself:

• Where am I on this 3-year map?

• Have I checked all the boxes from the previous levels?

If you're still working on year one skills, that's cool! Master those before taking on the year two challenges.

2. Embrace Content Creation

If you're in year one and feeling a bit lost, here's a pro tip: start creating content like it's going out of style. Social media posts, videos, blog—pick your poison and go to town.

Think of it as your consulting bootcamp. It'll teach you to ship fast, get your ideas out there, and position you as the expert you're becoming.

3. Focus on Skills, Not Just Income

I get it, we all want to make it rain. But here's the thing—in the early years, focusing solely on income goals is like trying to eat soup with a fork. Frustrating and not very effective.

Instead, treat those skills we talked about as your real goals. Income is the tortoise in this race—slow and steady, but it'll get there. Your skills? They're the hare, and in this race, the hare actually wins.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it - your 3-year roadmap to consultancy success. Remember, this is a guideline, not a strict rulebook. Your journey might zig when others zag, and that's totally okay!

Year 1 is all about exploration and building your skills. Year 2 is for honing your consulting expertise and finding your niche. And Year 3? That's when you go all in and really make your mark.

Stay curious, keep learning, and don't forget to celebrate your wins - even the small ones. Building a consultancy is a wild ride, but trust me, it's going to be worth it.

Now go forth and conquer the consulting world! And if you need me, I'll be right here, working on my next big proposal (and maybe sneaking in a coffee break or two).