Pat Scopelliti on "Managing the Professional Service Firm"

One Book That Changed My Life

David Maister’s book, “Managing the Professional Services Firm” is quite honestly one of the most important and impactful books any business owner can read. It’s also the book that began my friendship with executive and leadership coach, Pat Scopelliti.

It was only right that I brought him on as the first guest of One Book! David Maister’s book is a must-read for anyone who wants to think strategically, have “meta-conversations”, and diagnose the core problems in a business.

In this episode, The Consigliori and I discuss why this book is so near and dear to us, and the most impactful takeaways from it.

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

The big insight from David Maister that applies to everyone

“This is boring, but are you doing it?” When we approach a book with this question, we can fully dive into its applications and extend its reach. You have to approach with the mindset that there is an application somewhere that you’re going to agree with that you’re not doing.

Every company is a professional services firm whether you know it or not

In a professional service, you have knowledge that applies to the customer that they don’t have, and they come to you because they want your counsel. Whether you’re Costco or a lawyer, if you can help them solve their problems, you’re in a professional services moment.

The big payoff of Managing the Professional Service Firm

Maister forces you to think strategically and have meta-conversation about business. It’s about being able to look at someone’s business and instantly get a sense of what's going on and what the core problem is.

Guest Bio

Pat is The Consigliori. He is an executive leadership and recruitment coach. Every Don needs his Consigliori. His failures must be analyzed, his successes celebrated. His limitations must be identified, fought, defeated and obliterated. His strengths and potentials must be fully employed, grown, leveraged and fulfilled. No Don can complete this ongoing mission without the right aid, at least not as powerfully as he will with his Consigliori's help. For more information, visit https://www.theconsigliori.com/.

Managing the Professional Service Firm by David Maister