The 2x2 for Consultants

AMA: Should I Charge a Referral Fee?

One of the questions I get asked all the time is whether consultants should be paid for referring business to someone else.    The answer is yes, but I understand the hesitation. Asking for compensation can feel awkward, especially when all you're doing is making an introduction.    But here's the way I think about it: when you refer someone, you're creating value for everyone involved. You're helping a consultant find an opportunity they may not have found on their own, and you're helping a client find someone trustworthy to solve a problem.    That's not just an introduction; it's value. Referral fees are simply a way to recognize that value.    In this podcast episode, I answered some of the most common questions I hear about referral fees.

Namrata Sarmah’s Playbook for a Plural Career

You don't have to wait until retirement to reinvent your career.    Namrata Sarmah [https://www.linkedin.com/in/namratasarmah/] followed the traditional path all the way to the C-suite before realizing there was more than one way to be successful.    Today, she advises PE-backed companies as a product leader, runs global leadership communities, and helps executives create what she calls a plural career.    If you've ever wondered what comes after the corporate ladder, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what's possible.  ---------------------------------------- 👉 Join CPO Track: https://forms.gle/CPVZiyW1czzUCyp18 [https://forms.gle/CPVZiyW1czzUCyp18]

How Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge Raise Kids Who Handle Everything

Your kids learn how to handle stress by watching you.    This is warning from Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge [https://www.linkedin.com/in/roseanncapannahodge/], a children's mental health expert who has spent three decades helping families navigate anxiety, behavior challenges, and emotional regulation.    In this conversation, she shares practical strategies for raising kids who can handle stress, setbacks, and uncertainty with confidence.    For any parent-consultants out there, this one’s worth a listen.

From Consulting to C-Suite with Michael Stutts

What comes after a decade at BCG? I sat down with Michael Stutts [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelstutts/] to talk about his path from consulting to executive leadership—and how personal branding and clear communication shaped the journey. We also touched on his book, There's No Room Service at the Psych Ward, and why mental health deserves more airtime in the business world. 👉 Get a copy of his book: https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Room-Service-Psych-Ward/dp/1955026890 [https://www.amazon.com/Theres-Room-Service-Psych-Ward/dp/1955026890]

How Troy Ruemping Thinks About Strategy

Troy Ruemping [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyruemping/] has spent his career asking the question most consultants skip: what problem are we actually solving? He's done it at McKinsey, at the Big Four, and now while splitting his time between independent consulting and building his own food tech venture. In this conversation, Troy breaks down the discipline behind great strategy work — and what happens when you take those skills into an entirely new field.