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“It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with it”

Joanna Hall is a hugely experienced senior leader who has transitioned her career from a successful Executive, rapidly scaling Consulting practices, to a Non-Exec Director, advising boards on how they can do the same.

Prior to moving to a portfolio career, Joanna built and grew a number of successful software businesses and Consulting practices at places like CSC, EValue and North Highland. During her last executive role at North Highland, she oversaw the growth of their Financial Services Practice. Growing revenue five fold and increasing profit margin by over 40% within 2 years!

In addition to her Non-Exec roles Joanna is very active within the wider Financial Services industry, in forums and on the judging panels for awards across a range of areas including Digital, Getting a Business to Market, Fintech Innovation, Thought Leadership and Women in Investment.

Joanna was introduced to me by James Mitra from JBM Consulting as someone who I must get on the podcast and she certainly didn’t disappoint!

In this interview we discuss a whole range of topics including:

The key fundamentals and obstacles to consider when developing your own Consulting business/practice area

The importance of getting close to your customer when developing your Consulting proposition and getting it to market

Networking and what you need to consider when you join a new Consulting firm

Joanna’s decision to move in to a portfolio career and how she made this transition

And much much more!

You can find out more about Joanna on her linked in – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahall1/

Or drop her an email – joannarhall@hotmail.com

Specific things we discuss in the show:

NEDonBoard – https://www.nedonboard.com/

North Highlands – https://www.northhighland.com

What we talk about:

00:02:29 – Joanna’s background and how she got to where she is today.

00:12:00 – How Joanna grew the North Highland FS practice so quickly.

00:15:32 – Joanna’s advice on developing your Consulting proposition.

00:18:30 – How to position your project learnings and ‘battle scars’ as a positive when talking to prospective clients.

00:24:23 – How Joanna developed her growth plan for North Highland and the importance of being flexible when you join a new firm.

00:25:31 – The importance of Joanna’s mantra ‘it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you deal with it’.

00:29:18 – Understanding the value you offer to your client and how to sell that to them.

00:32:13 – What Consultants get wrong when it comes to growing their business/practice area.

00:36:00 – How junior Consultants should approach the ‘sales’ side of consulting and what you as a leader can do to support your team in this.

00:39:42 – Joanna’s advice on networking for junior Consultants.

00:42:38 – The importance of getting close to your client.

00:45:25 – How Joanna decided to go down the portfolio NED career route and her advice for others looking to do the same.

00:55:37 – What you need to consider if you’re thinking of moving in to a portfolio career.

01:00:46 – Joanna’s view on diversity in Financial Services and the advice she gives to the Boards she works with.

01:04:45 – Joanna’s advice for those entering the Consulting industry.

01:11:23 – Joanna’s closing advice for you whether you’re just starting out, in the middle grades or approaching Partner.

01:18:44 – Joanna’s closing advice for those considering the portfolio Non-Exec career path.

01:20:21 – How you can get in touch with Joanna.

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