Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Professional services leaders are constantly balancing growth, delivery, and profitability, but what if the biggest opportunities are hiding in plain sight?
In this episode, Charles Gustine, Director of Customer and Market Insights at Kantata, and Connor Budden, Global Director at Service Performance Insight (SPI), explore how benchmarking helps firms uncover hidden inefficiencies, strengthen leadership, and transform performance across every area of the business.
Recorded live at Kantata Converge, this conversation draws on decades of SPI’s benchmarking insights and unveils SPI Insight, a breakthrough integration that brings real-time benchmarking directly into the Kantata platform.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Banoo sits down with Julie Grove, Senior Manager of Resource Management at Anthology, to unpack how to centralize resource management without losing flexibility or local autonomy. Julie shares her five-step blueprint for building trust, conducting maturity assessments, and designing scalable governance models that prevent burnout and keep teams aligned.
You’ll learn:
Plus, watch Julie demo how she uses Kantata daily to balance global structure with local empowerment — and deliver smarter, data-driven resource management.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Resource forecasting has never been trickier. With shifting client expectations, unpredictable markets, and outdated tools, even the most sophisticated services organizations struggle to see what’s coming next. In this episode, Brent sits down with Greg Hensley of the Resource Management Institute and RTM Consulting to unpack why traditional forecasting falls short, and how data, process, and AI can help you plan with confidence instead of instinct.
Tune in to learn:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The professional services industry is evolving at record speed — is your firm ready to keep pace? In this special episode, we bring you the recording of an expert-led discussion with Bo DiMuccio, VP of Professional Services Research at TSIA, and Fortuné Alexander, VP of Product Marketing at Kantata. Together, they share forward-looking insights and practical guidance on what firms must do today to thrive in tomorrow’s market.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
To learn more download a copy of the whitepaper they discussed, 3 Ways Inaction Is Holding Your Professional Services Business Back, that breaks down the real cost of standing still across three critical areas:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this final installment of our Kennedy Intelligence Series, host Brent is joined once again by Alex Klein and Ramone Param to unpack the “unsexy” but mission-critical side of growth: your back office. From pricing and cash flow to governance and quality control, they reveal how operational discipline determines whether a services firm can scale past $30M, or stalls out. Drawing on decades of consulting, M&A, and scaling experience, Alex and Ramone share insider lessons on turning overlooked back office processes into engines of growth and valuation. Discover how discipline and structure, not just sales, create resilience and long-term success.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Our listeners receive exclusive preferred rates on Kennedy's market research, strategic advisory, performance improvement benchmarking and M&A services that are tailored to leaders of professional services firms. Just reference Kantata and you will receive preferred pricing on any of their assets or services. Go to https://www.kennedyintel.com/ to learn more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To celebrate a major milestone — our 100th episode of the Professional Services Pursuit — we flipped the script. Guest host Dominique steps out from behind the scenes to put Brent and Banoo in the hot seats.
This time, instead of asking the questions, they’re answering them, sharing candid insights drawn from years of conversations with professional services leaders and customers. From the rise of AI to the realities of change management, it’s an unfiltered look at what’s working, what’s not, and what the future holds for firms navigating constant uncertainty.
In this milestone episode, you’ll hear about:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the fourth installment of our series with Kennedy Intelligence, Brent is joined again by Alex Klein and Tom Rodenhauser to explore one of the most persistent myths in the professional services industry: the belief that hiring a few “star” performers will unlock growth. Together, they unpack why overreliance on rainmakers can be a dangerous blind spot, the cultural risks of high-profile hires, and the critical importance of building scalable systems and developing talent from within.
Key topics covered in this episode:
Our listeners receive exclusive preferred rates on Kennedy's market research, strategic advisory, performance improvement benchmarking and M&A services that are tailored to leaders of professional services firms. Just reference Kantata and you will receive preferred pricing on any of their assets or services. Go to https://www.kennedyintel.com/ to learn more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this third episode of our series with Kennedy Intelligence, host Brent reunites with Alex Klein and Tom Rodenhauser to break down why “Client Love” alone won’t scale your consulting firm past $30M. They share hard-won insights and practical strategies for shifting from founder-driven relationships to scalable, value-based client engagement.
Key topics covered include:
Our listeners receive exclusive preferred rates on Kennedy's market research, strategic advisory, performance improvement benchmarking and M&A services that are tailored to leaders of professional services firms. Just reference Kantata and you will receive preferred pricing on any of their assets or services. Go to www.kennedyintel.com to learn more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How are today’s IT leaders adapting to the breakneck pace of AI and cybersecurity evolution? In this episode of The Professional Services Pursuit, host Banoo welcomes Taison Kearney, Chief Information Security Officer and Data Protection Officer at Kantata. With over two decades of experience, Taison shares how IT teams are shifting from traditional support roles to become strategic drivers in AI governance and cybersecurity leadership.
This conversation offers a front-line view into the challenges and opportunities that come with AI adoption, from managing risk and “shadow AI” to building future-ready security teams and becoming a trusted advisor to clients.
Key Topics Covered:
The specific risks facing professional services firms, and how data centralization helps mitigate them
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode Banoo welcomes back Andrew Cohen, EVP of Innovation & Ai at Netsurit, to explore how artificial intelligence, automation, and real-time data visibility are transforming the IT services and professional services industries. Building on their previous conversation from 2023, Andrew shares powerful insights into how the rapid evolution of AI is reshaping business agility, decision-making, and internal operations.
Key Topics Covered:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, host Brent reunites with Kennedy Intelligence’s Ramone Param and Alex Klein for Part 2 of the “Breaking the $30 Million Ceiling” series. This installment dives deep into the nuances of profitability and growth, challenging the conventional wisdom of chasing top-line revenue at the expense of sustainable success.
Together, they explore how consulting and professional services firms can transition from founder-led sales to scalable growth engines. The conversation is packed with tactical advice, real-world insights, and candid reflections drawn from decades of experience in strategy, M&A, and high-growth consulting environments.
Exclusive Offer: Our listeners get preferred rates on Kennedy's market research, strategic advisory, performance improvement benchmarking, and M&A services! Mention Kantata for special pricing. Learn more at kenneyintel.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this energizing episode Brent sits down with Patricia Rothenberg, Global COO and General Counsel of renowned creative agency 72andSunny. From iconic Super Bowl ads to pioneering value-based pricing and navigating AI disruption, Patricia brings a compelling mix of strategic insight, operational excellence, and unwavering creativity. Whether you're a fellow agency leader or operations guru, this episode is packed with thought-provoking takeaways:
Don’t miss Patricia’s parting advice on embracing change, navigating complexity, and leading with both data and intuition.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we kick off a new series with Kennedy Intelligence, diving into the challenges and strategies for professional services firms aiming to break through the $30 million revenue ceiling. Throughout this series will be challenging some of the most persistent myths in the consulting growth journey, backed by real stories, real data, and some healthy debate.
In this first session Brent is joined by Kennedy Intelligence experts Alex Klein and Tom Rodenhauser to discuss the critical importance of a strong, focused, compelling value proposition, and practical steps firms can take to achieve scalable growth.
Key Topics Covered:
Exclusive Offer: Our listeners get preferred rates on Kennedy's market research, strategic advisory, performance improvement benchmarking, and M&A services! Mention Kantata for special pricing. Learn more at kenneyintel.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Banoo sits down with David DeWolf, President and CEO of Knownwell, to talk about what it really takes to move from AI experimentation to AI-powered transformation. With 75% of firms now supporting GenAI (per the 2025 SPI Maturity Benchmark report), the question isn't if—it's how you adopt it in a way that drives real results.
David shares battle-tested insights and how Knownwell is helping service firms operationalize AI to strengthen relationships, prevent churn, and work smarter at every level. Here’s what you’ll learn:
Want more insights from David? Discover Knownwell and check out his podcast, AI knowhow.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When it comes to choosing and integrating new technology, the process can get messy—fast. In this episode, Banoo sits down with Austin Grigg, co-founder and CEO of Kalon Creative, to break down what it really takes to navigate a successful integration journey.
Austin shares hard-earned insights on what makes or breaks implementation, how to bring the right stakeholders along for the ride, and why a smooth buying journey starts well before evaluation.
Key topics discussed:
Additional resources:
- Austin's free checklist for evaluating and implementing software integrations: https://www.kaloncreative.com/psp
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of The Professional Services Pursuit, Brent is joined by Angela Navarro, CEO of Kinavic Leadership Acceleration, to explore how consulting firms can unlock the full potential of their partner and Managing Director (MD) talent. Angela shares her firm’s unique methodology and why performance acceleration—not just leadership development—is key to success at the partner level.
What you’ll learn:
Learn more about Kinavic Leadership Acceleration and access more insights at kinavic.com/insights
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of The Professional Services Pursuit, Banoo welcomes Melissa Korzun, Vice President of CX Operations at Kantata. Together, they explore the critical role of change management in selecting, implementing, and optimizing new technology solutions. Melissa shares actionable insights on how to engage stakeholders early, drive adoption, and ensure long-term success beyond implementation. If you're navigating a technology transition, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you manage change effectively.
Key topics covered:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this insightful episode of The Professional Services Pursuit, Brent sits down with Charles Gustine, Director of Customer and Market Insights at Kantata, to break down the key findings from the 2025 Service Performance Insight (SPI) Professional Services Maturity Benchmark Report. Together, they explore the emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the professional services industry—and, most importantly, how firms can use this data to gain a competitive edge. Whether you're looking to improve operational efficiency, get away from reactive resourcing, or better adopt AI, this episode is packed with strategic insights you won’t want to miss.
Key topics covered:
Read the full SPI Professional Services Maturity Benchmark Report today.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode features a special recording from a recent Kantata webinar with Dave Hofferberth, Managing Director at Service Performance Insights. Each year, the release of the SPI Professional Services Maturity Benchmark Report is a much-anticipated moment for the industry—and this year’s findings are a wake-up call.
Dave breaks down what truly sets high-performing firms apart and explores the key industry metrics and trends uncovered in this year’s research. He also shares his optimism for 2025 and why information visibility will be the foundation of future success.
Key Takeaways:
See how your firm stacks up—download the 2025 Professional Services Maturity Benchmark here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join host Banoo on the Professional Services Pursuit as she welcomes Monique Ludwig, Director of Global Services PMO at Ciena. With 30 years of experience in technology and project management, Monique offers expert insights into optimizing professional services, operations and resource management. This episode dives into common challenges in the field and strategies for future-proofing talent in a rapidly evolving industry.
Key topics covered:
Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice for enhancing your professional services operations and resource management strategies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.