How to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm

Those of us who lead professional services firms may think we sell billable hours. We don't. Not anymore. The traditional way of doing business no longer suffices for today's clients, who crave a sense of meaning and purpose in every transaction. To survive in this unprecedented environment, we need to start selling stories-ideas and narratives that guide our everyday operations and will inspire those we work with to trust us over the long haul. How to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm makes the case for building purposeful brands and guides readers through a series of steps to transform their organizations and inspire stakeholders. The Three Keys-Purpose, Values, and Story-form the lens through which readers will come to view every aspect of the brands they lead. This simple yet powerful framework is a guide to remaking the foundation of your brand. Executives who have undertaken this process agree that a strong sense of collective purpose improves customer loyalty, facilitates change, and motivates employee satisfaction. These proven outcomes will inspire readers to undertake the transformative shift to a values-based culture, with the help of the insights, examples, and key tactics in this book. But making that culture shift won't quite be enough. After you've identified your brand's core identity, you'll need to build that identity into your organization's culture. This is easier said than done, as it requires bold leadership and the strength to model authentic commitment. Therein lies the real value of How to Lead a Values-Based Professional Services Firm. The authors developed the Three Keys framework in action and have led their own business to market dominance and brand success. They provide their tested takeaways on how to: Link leadership to purpose and profit in the 21st century Hire leaders who will carry the torch of values and purpose Infuse your Purpose, Values, and Story into all communications Strategically align mergers and acquisitions around core beliefs Measure the bottom-line impact of a values-based culture The brands that endure over the coming decades will be those that clearly understand and adhere to the Three Keys to brand identity. This book is for leaders who are ready to commit to the Purpose, Values, and Story that will propel their firms into the future.