From Spreadsheet Chaos to Streamlined Success | Episode 4 - Behram Khan & Prof. Joe O'Mahoney
Manage episode 505744662 series 3308652
Are your consultancy's processes holding back your growth potential? In this revealing episode of the Consulting Growth Podcast, we dive deep into how Professional Service Automation (PSA) software can transform small and medium-sized consultancies.
Guest Behram Khan, co-founder of Avaza PSA software, shares how the right systems can help consultancies escape the "spreadsheet trap" that drains productivity and profits. Born from his own frustrations as a project manager, Khan explains how fragmented processes using separate tools for tasks, communication, time tracking, and invoicing create costly inefficiencies that compound as businesses grow.
The benefits of implementing a PSA system are substantial and measurable. Most consultancies see a 5-10% improvement in billable resource utilization – equivalent to gaining an extra team member without additional salary costs. Status meetings become more focused, email threads more manageable, and project profitability more visible. Perhaps most critically for growing firms, PSA systems significantly improve cash flow through streamlined invoicing and payment processes.
Khan makes a compelling case for early PSA adoption: "Adopting a PSA tool should be part of the initial business setup." Starting with basic functionality and expanding as you grow establishes solid processes before bad habits form. The ideal solution balances ease of use with sufficient flexibility to adapt to your specific workflows.
Beyond technology, Khan offers valuable advice for consultancy growth: invest time researching how to reach prospective clients, maintain consistent marketing messaging with clear calls to action, keep existing customers happy through clear communication, and automate repetitive activities wherever possible. Most importantly, ensure your business can function smoothly even without you present – a key indicator of a truly valuable consultancy.
Ready to transform your consultancy operations? Listen now to discover how the right systems can unlock your firm's full potential and position you for sustainable, profitable growth.
Prof. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at www.joeomahoney.com
Chapters
1. Introduction to Professional Service Automation (00:00:00)
2. Origins of Avaza and Development Journey (00:04:28)
3. How Avaza Differs From Competitors (00:13:14)
4. Balancing Standardization and Customization (00:23:14)
5. When to Implement a PSA System (00:31:08)
6. Business Benefits of Using PSAs (00:39:17)
7. Growth Advice for Consultancies (00:50:52)
42 episodes