When I was compiling Rainmaker Resources I scoured the net for articles, blogs, podcasts and videos of value to business developers in professional services. Most of these resources are, of course, produced by consultants and advisors who aim to help professionals in these areas. I informally categorised the firms and individuals I found, with the intriguing result that they all fell into one of three camps:
- There are many advisors who cover all types of professional services firms (lawyers, consultants, accountants, architects, engineers, etc.). I fit into this camp, as does David Maister, Ford Harding, Suzanne Lowe, Bruce Marcus, Mike Schulz and John Doerr, etc. (Bracketing myself with those giants of professional services is probably the most egotistical thing I’ve done for ages – as they say in Wayne’s World: I’m not worthy).
- There are a number of advisors who focus on law firms: Larry Bodine, Gerry Riskin, Allan Colman, etc.
- Rather fewer advisors who focus on consulting – Alan Weiss is probably the leading name here – others tend to mainly offer training and resources - e.g. SBR Consulting, the Guerilla Consulting team (perhaps consultants don’t like being consulted to).
And for accountants?
Er, nothing really. I drew a blank.
Maybe I’m looking in the wrong places – I’m a consultant by background rather than an accountant. But I’m one hell of a googler. And still I came up with nothing.
So maybe accountants don’t take advice. Or maybe advisors don’t like working for accountants. Maybe there’s a fantastic niche available for anyone willing to specialise.
Or maybe I’ve just got a blind spot when it comes to resources for accountants. So if you know of any – please drop me a line and I’ll add them to the site.
Ian
