Listen Innovate Grow

For over 20 years, I have worked with companies ranging from micro-businesses to large corporates across Australia and Canada including Kraft Foods, Telstra, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Accenture to develop and implement customer strategies and programs to drive business growth.

While I am passionate about helping to create truly customer-centric organizations, I am also an avid traveller and am regularly invited to be a guest speaker and panellist for an array of SME and start-up events and podcasts across Australia, Canada and the United States. Some of my key accomplishments include:

* I developed enterprise level strategy recommendations for the Australian Small Medium Business (SME) market including key target segments, value propositions, customer solutions and customer experience requirements for a global insurance company

* I developed the business and marketing strategy including client servicing model, education/thought leadership offerings and industry engagement programs for an international customer service organisation

* I developed the go to market and product launch strategies for an international market research technology company

* I conducted seminars on B2B customer and growth strategies for the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce and the German Australian Chamber of Commerce

* I provided recommendations for customer experience enhancements for companies including Colonial First State, Metro Trains Melbourne and Pearson Publishing

B2B Customer Strategy Consultant

Selling to other businesses has always been a complex and challenging process.

Over the past 18 months, the needs, expectations, and buying behaviours of business clients have changed dramatically. The strategies you used last year, even 6 months ago may no longer apply.

Success in B2B requires that you adopt new strategies and approaches both with the clients and prospects as well as how you operate internally.

Take a VIP Day - a “deep-dive” into your business to develop your detailed and customized Business Growth Action Plan and Roadmap. Comes with 12-months of implementation support following your VIP Day.

This is ideally suited for CEOs and business owners of service-based SMEs (e.g. Accounting, Law, IT, Consulting) that provide their services to other businesses and wish to:

* Plan: Start and/or grow their business but lack a plan/don’t know where to start

* Acquire: Attract and acquire larger business customers (such as corporates and/or government)

* Grow: Expand the business through increased client spend, new markets and/or new offerings

Click below to learn more!

Business Growth Strategy Planning

Want to secure business customers so your business can survive & succeed in the “new norm”?

As the world comes out of lockdown, business will be tougher than ever before: Key clients and hot prospects have gotten cold or dropped off the radar, and big contracts may have been put on hold or cancelled altogether.

And you are under enormous pressure, feeling the weight of the entire world on your shoulders as you fight to keep the business going, paying the bills and keep your staff all on board? 

While the obstacles do seem insurmountable and the future is unclear, there are in fact many businesses that need your company now more than ever. The future of your company that you have worked so hard for and sacrificed so much to create can have a better and stronger future. 

That's why we created Refocus, Reignite & Rise, an online advisory program for CEOs of service-based SMEs who want a clear roadmap to acquiring those larger business customers to drive business growth and ultimately create the impact and legacy they seek.

After working with SMEs and corporates in the B2B space for over 20 years as well as closely monitoring how the needs and expectations and behaviours of business customers have changed as a result of the pandemic, I can show you what you and your company must do to gain the business customers that you want and need in order to not only ensure business recovery but also business growth. 

Click below to learn more!

Executive Consulting & CEO Mentoring

Are you looking to grow your service-based SME this year but unsure how? Stuck for new ideas and inspiration to navigate the challenges of the current economic climate?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, The Empower Mastermind Group could be for you.

Empower is a highly focused, action-driven group to support CEOs and Managing Directors of service-based SMEs/SMBs seeking to grow their companies through client acquisition, retention and business innovation.

By participating in the Empower Mastermind Group, you will become more effective at the 3 crucial activities your company must continually engage in to have sustainable, profitable growth:

* Listen: Learn how to correctly identify who the business buyers you need to target really are, and what you must provide to help them buy from you

* Innovate: Identify what changes, improvements and/or introductions are needed in your business to meet buyers’ needs and achieve the growth and impact you seek

* Grow: Learn strategies to expand your operations and manage your company culture, financials and people to sustain growth over the longer term

Meetings are conducted virtually for flexibility, as the group consists of members from different (non-competing) industries across a number of different geographic regions.

Because membership is tailored, by engaging with the group, you can be assured of having access to a wide range of business experience, knowledge, perspectives and ideas to help you grow your business.

Empower Mastermind Group

2excell Consulting

Get the guidebook that’s helped hundreds of SMEs and start-ups acquire customers and grow their businesses!

Written for start-ups and SMEs, the book covers essential B2B topics and helps start-ups and SMEs struggling to:

* Identify the industries, markets and business customers they should focus on
* Create products, services and solutions that business customers want to buy
* Achieve sustainable, profitable growth

Whether you’re an owner or founder of a start-up or SME or you’re in a key leadership role, Listen Innovate Grow helps anyone in an organization responsible for driving B2B growth with the tools, strategies, and approaches to realize their growth ambitions and secure B2B sales.

Author | Listen Innovate Grow, A Guidebook to Acquire B2B Customers

Startup Canada | Canada's Entrepreneurship Organization

Providing StartUp Canada members with insights as to leading best practices and approaches to B2B customer and marketing strategies.

Startup Advisor

Stone & Chalk

Stone & Chalk is an independent, nonprofit Fintech innovation hub whose overarching objective is to help foster & accelerate the development of world-leading Fintech startups.

Stone & Chalk’s flagship Mentor Program sets it apart from other hubs, connecting founders to high calibre mentors that will make the difference to their success. Mentors provide a trusted advisor relationship which both facilitates learning and provides a confidential sounding board, guiding startups through their business challenges; enabling them to commercialise at scale.

Startup Mentor

UTS: University of Technology, Sydney

During this contract role, I served as both the Associate Lecturer and Subject Coordinator for the Services Marketing courses at both the MBA and Undergraduate levels. In this capacity, I was responsible for educating student as to approaches to developing marketing strategies for service organisations and how they could be applied across a range of industries including Professional Services, Financial Services, IT, Telecommunications and Transportation.

Associate Lecturer, Services Marketing

Telstra Corporation

As head of customer research for Telstra's Wholesale Division, I led and implemented major research initiatives such as developing a wholesale market segmentation as well as conducting an annual Customer Value Analysis study of the wholesale market. I also successfully developed and implemented a comprehensive Customer Insights and Satisfaction Program including strategic customer workshops, an operational service tracking program as well as the designed and implemented a customer insights decision support tool.

Manager, Customer Research and Analysis

Accenture Australia

Completed industry and market analyses and strategy recommendations for corporate clients in the Financial Services, Automotive and Transportation sectors.

Strategy Consultant

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Research Analyst, CommInsure Strategic Planning

Marketing Manager, Professional Association Programs

B2B Consultant + Speaker I Go-To-Market Strategies For Small to Mid-Sized Professional Service Firms I Founder - Legacy, The SME Leaders Circle I Customer Acquisition, Growth, & Retention Via Buyer “AIR” Driven Approach

Unlock Your Firm's Potential with Strategic Business Growth Expertise

As a seasoned Business Mentor, Go-to-Market Strategist and Start-up Advisor, I have empowered professional service firms such as Accounting, IT and Law for over a decade. My unique growth framework and insights into B2B Customer and Go to Market strategies set firms apart. I specialize in:

• Identifying key markets and clients
• Crafting tailored go-to-market strategies
• Building services and solutions that B2B clients seek

I differ from typical consultants by diving deeper and offering a proprietary framework, the "Listen Innovate Grow," fostering clarity, innovation, and growth specifically designed for companies operating in B2B--all of which are driven based on how B2B buyers buy!

Let's connect to explore how I can elevate your firm’s performance.
🗓️ https://calendly.com/michael-906/30min


📖Learn more in my book "Listen Innovate Grow: A Guidebook for Start-Ups and SMEs to Acquire and Grow Business Customers" on Amazon. 

I am also available for speaking, training, and business consulting.

Ignite your firm's growth with me.


Michael Haynes
Business Growth Advisor
michael@2excell.com
+61 2 9056 5087 (Australia)
1-647-490-3425 (Canada/USA)

www.listeninnovategrow.com

As small business owners collaborating with others is critical to growing our businesses. A key success factor thought is finding good people to collaborate with that share your values, vision and drive. I can say without a doubt that Wendy Lloyd Curley is one of those people. We had a great lunch session last week to brainstorm and workout how we can help each other. I am feeling even more pumped and charged as we head into Q2. Bring it on! Thanks Wendy

#smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #b2b #gettingthingsdone

Michael Haynes

🎉 Here is the April edition of my Monthly "AIR" Newsletter! 🌬️✨

Step into this curated space, thoughtfully designed for Small and Medium B2B Professional Service Firms, including Accounting, IT, and Law.

The "AIR" Newsletter is more than just updates; it's your go-to resource for Advice, Insights, and Recommendations tailored to fuel the growth of your B2B Professional Service Firm.

📌 What is "AIR"? "AIR" stands for Advice, Insights, and Recommendations – the essential elements to building and executing your firm’s B2B Go-to_Market Strategy to grow your firm. We will be delivering to your inbox every month.

🚀 Our Mission: With a passion for empowering businesses, the mission of this newsletter is to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to elevate your B2B Professional Service Firm to new heights.

🔍 What to Expect:
- Actionable Advice: Practical tips and strategies you can implement right away.
- In-Depth Insights: Dive deep into industry trends and emerging practices.
- Smart Recommendations: Handpicked suggestions to optimize your firm's performance.

🌐 Who Should Subscribe? If you're part of a Small or Medium B2B Professional Service Firm, this newsletter is tailor-made for you. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, "AIR" is here to support your journey.

📆 When and Where: Expect a fresh edition of the "AIR" Newsletter in your inbox every month. Stay tuned for valuable content that aligns with your growth goals.

🚨 How to Subscribe: Simply subscribe to my newsletter to join our community and receive your monthly dose of "AIR."

Thank you for being a part of this exciting journey! Let's soar to new heights together. 💨✨

#professionalservices 
#accounting 
#IT 
#b2b
#law 
#smallbusiness

Jerry Macnamara
Rob Brown
Zachary M Meyer 
Jaidin McCann, SHRM-CP 
Derrick Espadas, MBA, SSBBP 
Junior Chaperon, CPA 
Amy Bonner (Servi)
🌍 Trena Blair, GAICD, CEO, Scaling Businesses into the USA

Michael Haynes on LinkedIn • 4 min read

Michael’s April “AIR” Newsletter for Leaders of Small and Medium B2B Professional Service Firms

🔥 CREATING TRUSTWORTHY CONNECTIONS TO GROW YOUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FIRM!
 
Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the 🎙️Closing the Trust Gap podcast hosted by Trust expert and author Cory Scheer.
 
During the interview, we discuss the importance of creating and instilling trust with our clients as professional service providers. 
 
Topics we covered during our discussion include:
 
✅ The 3 types of listening that are critical to building trust and creating success both for your firm and your clients
✅ Why delivering “A-I-R” is essential to building trust with your clients
✅ How a lack of focus is the fruit of distrust
 
If you are seeking actionable tips as to how to instill trust within your clients and prospects then this is an interview you will not want to miss! 👀
 
#professionalservices #accounting #informationtechnology #smallbusiness #law

Join me in the next Ask Michael Anything session to unlock the potential of your B2B accounting or technology firm! 

Learn 3 expert tips on cultivating strategic partnerships and have all your questions about growing your SMB firm answered. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your business to the next level. 

#B2B #accounting #technology #SMB #strategy #smallbusiness

⭐️ Highlights from Last Week’s Ask Michael Anything Session ⭐️

Hello Everyone,

Last week, I held the monthly 👉🏾 “Ask Michael Anything” session.

These are 30-minute open Q&A sessions aimed at leaders of Small and Medium B2B Accounting, Technology and Law firms where you can ask questions pertaining to growing and running their firms.

During this session, I shared 3 tips on how high growth professional service firms create and publish research.

(👀 FACT: 60% of High Growth Firms Conduct Research at least QUARTERLY!)

What Kinds of Research Can Firms Create?

The purpose of research is to provide “A-I-R” to a firm’s target buyers/decision-makers.

For instance, your firm can create reports or updates on:

✅ Industry trends
✅ Best practices
✅ Client needs

What Are Cost-Effective Research Sources?

Sources of insights include

⦿ Internal company experts
⦿ Clients
⦿ Suppliers
⦿ Strategic Partners
⦿ Industry Peers
⦿ Industry Associations

🔥Tip: Consider partnering and collaborating to create and/or distribute your research

Where Should You Publish/Distribute Your Research?

Be sure to make your company’s research available WHERE your target buyers go for information and WITH whom they regard as trusted sources for “A-I-R”

Examples of these include:

⦿ Industry Associations
⦿ Peer Advisory Groups
⦿ Online Communities
⦿ Online Publishing Platforms e.g Medium, Dynamic Business

Want to learn how to practically create and publish research to drive the growth of your Accounting, Technology or Law firm? 📩 Send me a DM 

#professionalservices #accounting #law #b2b


🔐 Unlock Your Potential in 2024: ⭐️ The Ultimate B2B Go-to-Market Strategy Guide for Small to Medium-Sized Professional Services Firms! ⭐️

Designed specifically for Professional Services Firms like 🧾Accounting, ⚖️Legal, and 📲Tech services, this guide delivers effective strategies for attracting new clients, increasing retention, and enhancing client expenditure - tailored to match the actual purchasing patterns of Professional Service Buyers!

Secure Your Guide Now at 👉 https://lnkd.in/gYNfNBz

#accounting #technology #law #smallbusiness #strategy

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