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Below are links to some of the better websites available for managers of technical consulting and design firms. These sites are ranked according to Mel's assessment of their informational value. Evaluations are made based on content available for free to anyone who might visit the site, meaning information limited to members or subscribers was not considered. This page will be continually updated, so check back from time to time.

General Websites for Our Industry

David Maister«««« Maister is a well-known management consultant and author serving all types of professional service firms. His books are must reading for any manager in our industry (for an excellent quick read, try True Professionalism). Maister's site is a multimedia marvel, which any marketing professional in our business should mine for ideas. You can read his articles or blog, listen to podcasts, or watch video from his presentations. Spend some time at this site; you'll be glad you did.

ZweigWhite Perspectives««« Unfortunately, the folks at ZweigWhite have de-emphasized the free content available on their main website. Still the "Perspectives" section contains several articles on a variety of topics such as strategy, marketing, finance, leadership, and HR management. ZweigWhite draws from some of the best data available for our industry.

CE News««« Although oriented to civil engineering firms, this site is useful for managers of all technical consulting and design firms. There are many articles related to business trends and management issues, covering a wide range of topics. The search bar is a valuable feature if you're looking for a specific subject.

Practice Management Digest««« This is a quarterly online publication by AIA that covers many of the same subjects as the sites listed above. Check out both the current and past issues. Unfortunately, there is no way to search for specific topics other than browsing through the archives.

Trusted Advisor Associates««« This is the website for consultant Charles H. Green, who has some excellent insights to share about the professional services business. Articles here focus on the topics of selling, client relationship management, and leadership. Green's blog is also worthwhile reading. You might try the "Rate Yourself" self-assessment for the fun of it.

A/E ProNet«« This is a site dedicated to helping A/E firms manage risks. There are several articles on topics related to contractual issues, limiting liability, insurance, and safety. These are all important, and often complex, issues that warrant giving this site a look—especially if these topics are not your strong suit. Articles and "practice notes" can be found via the Library tab.

Design Intelligence«« This newsletter provides some excellent insights into trends affecting the design (primarily architectural) industry. Unfortunately, most of the articles are limited to subscribers. It's still worthwhile to check out the articles they offer without charge.

Management Consulting News«« There's some very good information here, both in past newsletter articles and in interviews with thought leaders in the professional services industry. While oriented towards management consultants, you'll find some valuable advice on topics such as consulting skills, client service, business development, and firm management. Consider subscribing; it's free! 

Leadership and Management

Leader to Leader Institute«««« This is a great resource site for those interested in the subject of leadership. Unfortunately, it's not as user friendly as it could be. From the home page, click on the "Knowledge Center" tab. For specific topics, check out the Leader to Leader Journal. For specific authors, try the "Thought Leaders Gateway." There is a good selection of free articles. There are also other useful resources available, most for a price, at this site. Well worth a visit.

Gallup Management Journal««« The Gallup Organization provides outstanding information and insights on leadership, management, customer service, and the workplace. Their research in these areas is unparalleled. Unfortunately, most of the online Journal articles are restricted to subscribers. But this site is still worth visiting, and the associated books are highly recommended.

Leadership in Action Blog ««« This blog is published by CMOE Consultants and contains some good insights into a variety of leadership topics. One advantage of this blog is that content is regularly updated and current.

Project Management

The PM Hut Blog ««« This is a useful source of advice on project management, although not specific to the A/E industry. Two to three short articles on project management are posted each day.

Max Wideman««« There are many insightful articles on project management at this site, although they are not specific to our profession. Check out both "Max's Musings" and "Guest Articles."

Client Service

Andrew Sobel««« Sobel is a well-know consultant and author who specializes in helping professional service firms maximize the human side of their business, both externally and internally. He has a number of valuable articles on his website (click on "Articles"). You should consider subscribing to his free monthly newsletter. His book Clients for Life is also recommended.

Business Development

Rain Today««««  This is easily the best website I've found on marketing and sales for professional service firms. You'll need to set up a free account to access most of the content. Check out both the Articles and Resources links from the home page. I also encourage you to sign up for their free weekly email newsletter Rainmaker Report. Several of their reports are worthwhile investments, especially the white papers that are available for around $30.

Services Marketing Blog ««« This is the blog of the Wellesley Hills Group, the publishers of RainToday.com. It provides some of the similar kind of strong content as their above site. This blog combines a variety of posts, audio, and video, most of which is relevant to our business.

Marketing Profs ««« There are a lot of articles at this site, covering the full spectrum of marketing and sales. Then why just three stars? Because the site is not specifically related to our business, so you need to sort through a lot of topics that probably aren't relevant to technical consulting and design firms. But this site is definitely worth visiting—multiple times—especially for those in marketing roles.

Harding & Company Blog ««« Ford Harding provides a lot of practical advice on professional service marketing and sales in his blog. This is an excellent site for someone just getting started in business development, as well as those of us who are more experienced.

Expertise Marketing««« Suzanne Lowe is a well-known marketing consultant among professional service firms. Her site has some good information, although the amount of content is somewhat limited. Check out her articles and blog, and you might consider signing up for her free email newsletter.

Human Resources

Gallup Management Journal««« Gallup has more extensive workplace research than anyone and excellent insights into how to build a competitive advantage in this area.

SullivanKreiss Blog «« This is the blog of a well-known executive search firm serving the AEC industry. The blog has some good tips and information relative to our business mixed with a few search-related postings. Unfortunately, the blog hasn't been active for some time. But there is some good archived information.

The Business Research Lab«« This group provides some good articles and tools related to employee surveys, satisfaction, and retention. Check out the "Free Online Information" section, in particular the link to "Research Tips."

Personal Productivity

Mind Tools«««« This is an excellent site on personal productivity, providing articles and tools on subjects such as time management, problem solving, decision making, communication skills—even project planning and management.

Recommended Free White Papers

Profits Under Siege: Growing Your Practice in Tough Times. Excellent insights on strategy and marketing from consultant Harry Mills.

Leadership That Gets Results. A discussion of emotional intelligence and leadership styles by Daniel Goleman.

The Customer Experience Journey. Research outlines how best to build your brand based on distinctive customer experiences.

Putting the Professional Back in Professional Services. The author explains how professionals create value for clients during the business development process

Six Lead Generation Insights. The executive summary from a study by RainToday.com on lead generation strategies in professional services. Requires entering your email address.

Making Lead Generation Work for Professional Services. Another take on the subject from the firm that publishes RainToday.com. Requires providing some basic contact information.

Getting Marketing and Business Development on the Same Page. This white paper outlines how combining an effective content-driven marketing strategy can greatly enhance the firm's sales efforts.

Increasing Marketing Effectiveness at Professional Firms. A summary of findings from a large survey conducted by Suzanne Lowe.

Kill Your Sales: The 6 Most Costly Mistakes You Are Making in 2009. This report outlines the most common reasons that professionals fail at selling and what to do about it.

The Ultimate AEC Marketing Plan. A good overview of marketing strategy and planning from PSMJ.

Preparing Winning Proposals. A brief summary of the strategies I've used over the years to compile a 75% win rate.

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