unbillable hours - a podcast about better professional services marketing

It's 2026... and we're still wondering: How are consulting firms using AI? How should they use it? So, we decided to ask someone who should know: QVALNT's Michael Boham is building solutions for this very space and has a few opinions about how firms should leverage AI, how they shouldn't do it, and where value can genuinely be found (spoiler: it's about so much more than just the tooling!).

Episode guest

Michael Boham, founder, QVALNT

 

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

 

Sure, consulting services are great. But you know what's even better? Consulting programs! As in: Outcome-focused, time-boxed, and IP-supported bundles of services and capabilities. They're just so much clearer and therefore more helpful for everyone... plus they can really improve your delivery! And in this episode, Ash and Flo will give you the full rundown of why they're great and how you might start to design some.

 

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

 

Shownotes
No notes for this one!

Alright... you've stuck with us long enough - which is why, yes, finally: you'll get to talk about your services (yay!). In all seriousness, though: There IS a time and a place to introduce prospects to your services, of course... It's just not at the start. And in this episode, we'll explain where they belong, and how you should introduce them. Listen to it here!

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

 

Shownotes
No notes for this one!

So how, exactly, did things go in 2025? And what, exactly, did we learn? We brought on advisor to the consulting industry, founder of Prudent Pedal and all-around sector strategist, Jeff McKay, to discuss his insights into where we've been, we're we're headed, and, sure: what to make of "AI" and other new pressures resetting consulting.
Listen to it here!

Episode guest

Jeff McKay, founder, Prudent Pedal

 

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

 

Shownotes: 
Check out Jeff's blog about designing the AI era professional services org here

 

Nah ... AI isn't going to kill consulting. But it'll certainly change the sector ... especially by influencing perceptions and expectations. So, how can firms prepare? Ash and Flo's workshop answers the question of how consultancies can counter clients 'dwindling "willingness to pay" while positioning to capture whatever value can be found in the new, much-heralded AI solutions for themselves.

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

THE PODCAST IS BACK! (Sorry for yelling...) And this time, we’re looking at the other side of the trust equation: not just whether clients trust you, but whether they trust themselves—to make the right decision, rally internal support, and deliver results. Listen in how a well-crafted consulting proposition can help them build this self-confidence... and, therefore, hire you ;)

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

 

Shownotes
No notes for this one!

Some frameworks just sit in decks. Others do real work. They spark interest, guide delivery, and help consulting firms stand out with confidence... and in this episode, we dive into the kind that do exactly that—signature frameworks—with designer and methodology expert Charlotte Crowther. We unpack how to craft one that’s not just smart… but strategic. So, iIf you’ve ever wondered what separates a slide from a system—this one’s for you!

 

Episode guest

Charlotte Crowther, founder, SignatureFramework.com

 

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

 

Ever heard of "Rainmakers" - the bizdev champions of the services world? HBR published a piece saying their game is changing. Ash and Flo dove in to figure out how, exactly (spoiler: it's related to marketing!)

Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo.
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

Please find the shownotes to this episode at unbillable-hrs.com.

We're back - and start our post-summer show with a deep dive into answers to the dreaded question "What should our consultancy post about?" (or some such): Tune in to hear Flo discuss the best philosophy for thought leadership planning and how to derive content from your value proposition. Enjoy!

 

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

Shownotes
Check out the upcoming Deltek Webinar feat. Flo here

 

You’ve nailed your value proposition—now what? In this episode, we show how consultancies can embed business development capabilities across the whole firm, turning scattered effort into a coordinated go-to-market machine.

Credits
Voices, production, etc. by Ash and Flo
Creative and design advice by @calmar.creativ
Into, outro voiceover for the unbillable hours podcast by @iamthedakota
Music also by @iamthedakota

 

Shownotes
No notes for this one!