The Engagement Meeting: Take a Step Back and See The Big Picture

Most consultants say they’re “too busy doing the work” — as if that’s a badge of honor. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: you never stop to ask “are we still doing the right work?” In this episode, John and Mark break down the concept of the engagement meeting; a deliberate, structured conversation designed not to move a project forward, but to make sure everyone is aligned with its direction. It’s where you zoom out, recalibrate priorities, and turn reactive “fire drills” into proactive strategy. In this episode, you’ll learn:Why most client relationships fall apart between meetings, not during themHow to use engagement meetings to surface red flags before they become infernosThe subtle difference between being a vendor who delivers and a partner who steersHow this simple practice can increase client retention, expand accounts, and raise your lifetime value per clientIf you’ve ever felt like a client relationship is fine but something’s off, this episode will show you how to fix it before your client ghosts you for the next shiny firm.CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome01:46 Listener Feedback Survey02:24 Engagement Meeting04:13 Being Proactive Instead Of Reactive08:01  Meeting Regularity09:19 Have A General Set Agenda11:30 Balancing The Scorecard12:55 Ideal Meeting Length15:12 Practical Tips20:03 Next Steps?21:36 When To Introduce The Concept23:36 How Many Participants?24:20 ConclusionShare your feedback in our listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8V9T6Z7