This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Chapter Guide
This book discusses some of the keys to firm management that emerged from our interviews. Chapter 1 presents an overview of industry characteristics, both good and not so good, and introduces the Broderick PSF Leadership Model which introduces the ten areas of focus for professional service firm leadership that formed the basis of our research. Chapters 2 through 10 discuss each area of focus in the model and present profiles of best practices uncovered during the course of our interviews. Chapter 11 explores the elusive subject of leadership. It features insights and musings from our interviewees on what it takes to be a successful leader of “incredibly smart and independent people” in the challenging and demanding world of professional services.
If you’re a professional in the industry, you will enjoy reading the direct quotes from your colleagues on various aspects of the business. On a practical note, you will take away many good ideas and practices to incorporate into your organization. Most professionals tend to benchmark themselves with other firms within their individual segments. You will be surprised and pleased to find that many excellent ideas and best practices can be learned from a broader cross-segment. Advertising and public relations firms are superb at client account management, engineering and accounting firms are rigorous at strategic planning, consulting firms have some excellent training and mentoring programs, and law firms can teach us a great deal about successful teaming.
If you’re not in the professional service industry, you will gain insight into the inner workings of some very successful firms, many of which you have probably worked with during the course of your business career. Hopefully you will discover some practices to apply to your own company. There is much to explore!