The Influential Consultant

Who this is for

Technical professionals who have deep expertise but find their ideas ignored in meetings or proposals. It’s the classic scenario: you see the flaw in the plan; you share the right solution… and the conversation moves on. If you have the expertise but not the authority, you need to build influence through process rather than personality. Quiet influence is a framework anyone can use to build buy-in and drive change from any position.

Transform

From an invisible expert to a trusted adviser who wins buy-in and paid work.

What you’ll get

• A clear message: Persuasion isn’t about data alone; a successful proposal balances credibility (ethos), logic (logos), and emotional appeal (pathos). You’ll learn to use narrative to connect data to meaning, frame the context, define the conflict, and describe the resolution. Tailoring your message to decision-makers and avoiding jargon ensures your proposals resonate.
• Stronger sales conversations: Consultative selling is about diagnosing problems, not pitching. You’ll adopt a sales mindset that focuses on asking meaningful questions; demonstrating expertise, uncovering value, and generating insights. Quiet influence emphasises diagnostic listening and deep questions to uncover hidden objections.
• Persuasive proposals: A clear structure (Executive summary → Problem → Solution → Evidence → Risk/Objection handling → Call to action) guides readers naturally. You’ll craft benefit-driven proposals that avoid common mistakes like a lack of client focus or overly technical language. Risk mitigation and objection handling are built into the proposal, and a strong call to action makes the next step easy.

This transformative path includes

• Messaging foundations: Master Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals, credibility, logic, and emotion, to create a balanced argument. Tailor your language, depth, and priorities to each decision‑maker.
• Diagnostic listening and consultative selling: Stop pitching and start diagnosing. Use deep listening to uncover hidden constraints and objections. Ask meaningful questions to uncover real value and build rapport.
• Storyselling and narrative: Wrap your data in a simple story: establish context, identify the conflict, and outline the resolution. Storytelling makes your recommendations feel inevitable.
• Proposal design and objection handling: Use a structured template, keep language simple and benefit-driven, and address evaluation criteria and pricing justification. Include risk mitigation and objection-handling sections to anticipate concerns.
• Stakeholder mapping and pre-wiring: Introduce your ideas to key stakeholders one-on-one before big meetings; gather feedback and build allies so decisions are made before the meeting.
• Pricing conversations: Learn to explain your pricing strategy and offer flexible options to help clients feel confident about the investment.

With this path, you’ll become The Influential Consultant: someone who turns expertise into influence, wins support for ideas, and secures paid engagements.

Start here

The Art of StorySelling: How Consultants Can Win Clients and Grow Their Business with Compelling Narratives.
Transform Your Consulting Practice with the Power of Strategic Storytelling
In today’s crowded consulting marketplace, technical expertise alone isn’t enough. Clients don’t just buy solutions—they buy from consultants they trust, understand, and connect with on a human level. The difference between struggling to find clients and building a thriving practice lies in your ability to tell compelling stories that resonate, persuade, and convert.

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