Meddlesome

In the first of what will likely be a long discussion on project management, Jim and Ken introduce you to the idea of a project. This isn't some academic view or anything that will get you a certificate of accomplishment. But it is a realistic view of the deep complexities of managing a project and how to be successful at it. In this episode, we discuss project startup and sponsorship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unless you're very lucky, travel is an inevitable part of entrepreneurship. Long days, short nights, sleeping in strange places, and road food are par for the course. It can be grueling, taxing both the mind and body. In this episode, we offer some serious and humorous tips for surviving on the road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So you're an independent contractor or have a firm with hundreds of employees. How do you set the rates you charge your clients/customers? Too low and you'll go out of business. Too high and you won't get any business. Do you care about competitor rates? Do you just spitball? The answer is within reach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jim and Ken investigate the pervasive use of jargon in the consulting industry and how it obscures effective communication. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jim and Ken share their journey through the complexities of decision-making in both business and life, highlighting our struggles with indecision and analysis paralysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken examine the relationship between chaos and business strategy, questioning if chaos can drive productivity within organizations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we discuss strategies for managing the inevitable conflict that occurs as a business owner or consultant or employer or... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the complexities of hiring interviews and all the mistakes we made! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why some clients cling to their problems instead of seeking solutions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we delve into the humorous yet poignant reflections of a management consultant grappling with the challenges of explaining his career to his mother throughout the years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had a lot of trials and tribulations over branding. From lawyerly to simple our brand evolved. But ultimately, it's the company's product that matters. Also, we can't figure out logos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss the value of consultant reports. You get a few tips on how to improve your reports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken talk about loyalty programs. Airlines, stores, hotels, and online services all offer some form of them. Is it worth the effort? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SCRUM, GTD, Object-Orientation, Seven Habits...All have some value but rarely do silver bullets cure all. Take the best parts and leave the rest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss how a consultant (or entrepreneur) should dress in front of clients or prospective clients. Client +1 is the take away...though we both admit we have no fashion sense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few minor clarifications to our Smart People Dumb Procedures episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our philosophy was people are smart and will do the right thing...except when they don't. Smart people can, and often do, dumb things, particularly when it involves mindless tasks. We talk about balancing people doing the right thing and corporate policies and procedures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listeners demanded to know how we became consultants and entrepreneurs! Well OK, one listener asked politely if we'd tell this story. And he was related to Ken. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss what behaviors and rules an organization needs to thrive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken talk about change initiatives in a company. How fast can you move? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Jim and Ken tease changes in our approach for our new season starting September 21st, 2025. It's a bit of a "sausage" being made but we thought you might enjoy it and hearing about some upcoming changes to our podcast. Hey we're learning here... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss external company communication. Hopefully entrepreneurs will take some of this advice to heart. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss internal company communication - is there anything useful that comes of it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Advice for clients. Jim and Ken talk about how to manage your consultant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken explore their sources of inspiration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken hit another critical topic: Swag. Ultimately we tried to decide if it's Art or Garbage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss their approaches to presentations. Ken gives Jim glowing reviews for his approach. Both discuss their philosophy and a few tricks behind their success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss the roles performed on a project to make it successful. This is not the same as positions (like manager); think of it as "starting a project" or "ending a project." Roles can be fulfilled by one person wearing many hats, but more often, the skills needed mean different people performing different roles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss their "work from home" rhyme and reasons...spoiler: everyone loved it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken take a fairly deep dive into dealing with employee issues. This was not fun for anyone, employee or management, but it was always necessary. We didn't get to all we needed or the depth we'd hoped for in the allotted time, so we'll revisit this topic in the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken talk about work and politics—not workplace politics but Politics with a capital P. Can and should a company take political stances? What pressures are placed on businesses to do so? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss having the goalposts moved on you and moving the goalposts on others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to make enemies and alienate customers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken discuss the end-all and be-all of a professional services firm: utilization. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you do while waiting for an airplane? Make money in the shower, of course! Jim and Ken discuss how they use interstitial time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about the cities our clients are headquartered in and how those sites changed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from our talk about mission, Jim and Ken talk about corporate culture, how it develops, and what changes it, not always for the better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken talk about conducting business calls in public. Really? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do your job, do it well, and then move on. It paid off for us in the long run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're amazed most consultants don't get to know their clients on a personal level. We're not talking about schmoozing but developing an honest friendship with them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support staff are slowly vanishing as a concept. It's too bad because they made us successful. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once again, tackling the tricky question: What pen do you like? And the benefits of low-tech tools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do companies have a mission? How is it developed? Is it a written document? How is it best developed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes, going against the grain in a business has unintended consequences. Here we discuss time off and vacation policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes a "bad" client? Sometimes, we make our own bad clients; sometimes, they come that way. Either way, Ken still has issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carefully documenting your work is an important part of consulting...or is it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why on earth would someone hire a consultant? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim and Ken dive right into the important stuff - selecting a briefcase, well really something to cart your stuff around. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.