As a child, Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” pissed me off to no end!
It is not just the story’s vivid illustration of deliberate deceit and societal hypocrisy—where con men convince an emperor he’s dressed in finery when he is, in fact, naked that stuck with me even now. It is the echo of these same types of deceptions in the business world today that resonated with me after being burned again and again by advertising sources, consultants, and coaches I had hired over the years as I sought to grow businesses of my own.
Because of this, when I entered the profession I vowed I’d find a way to change things. To put an end to the bloodletting. If you’ve been on the receiving end of these cons this post is for you and if you are a consultant who charges for ‘fluff’ I am also talking to you.
The Deceptive Nature of Traditional Business Consulting
Hans Christian Andersen’s story illustrates an uncomfortable truth about some traditional business consultants who, much like the swindlers in Andersen’s story, charge hefty fees for grand promises but deliver little to no substantive value. Reports are often padded with jargon, and presentations filled with buzzwords that don’t translate to tangible results. That kind of consultancy thrives on the emperor’s new clothes syndrome—visible only to those arrogantly pretending to see it.
As a results, determined to challenge this status quo, I structured my consultancy around a simple, yet powerful promise: Specifically, if my AI-driven business growth strategies do not result in a revenue increase of 2x or more above my fee, clients don’t pay. Period. Rewarding consultants for merely pretending to deliver results, much like the con men in “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” can leave you exposed and feeling naked when reality kicks in. My commitment to delivering measurable business growth exposes the superficiality that plagues our industry.
Integrity Over Illusion: The Foundation of Our Strategy
My approach is not just about some vague claim of client satisfaction (as with persuading the emperor to pretend to see what wasn’t there). My approach is rooted in integrity. And as a show of transparency, it is based on the framework outlined in my book. The nine-step marketing framework is standard to all client engagements, but the tactics and deliverables are bespoke for each client. In an industry crowded with consultants who are more show than substance, I am committed to genuine results.
I challenge my peers: if you truly add value, tie your compensation to client success. Let’s shift from charging for efforts (or the claim there of) to charging only if we deliver real, impactful outcomes to clients.
Why am I taking this stand? Because, like the solitary child in Andersen’s tale who dares to point out the emperor’s reality, I refuse to remain silent against unethical practices in the consulting industry. It’s time for us to demand more from those who profess to guide businesses toward growth.
A Call to Action for the Consulting Industry
This is not merely a business model; it is a crusade against the complacency and deceit that tarnish our profession. My commitment is to transparency and result-driven strategies that leave no room for doubt about the value being provided. Once burned twice shy. Never again.
I call on all business growth consultants to adopt this ethos. If your results do not stand up to scrutiny, it may be time to reconsider your role in this industry. Together, let’s elevate our standards, challenge the norms, and populate the consulting world with creators of real value, not purveyors of illusions.
Join the Movement Towards Transparent Business Growth
The time for change is now. We must not wait for yet another observer to expose our industry deficiencies. Let’s lead with robust, resilient, and real results that stem from genuine effort and proven success.
And if you are a business owner, CEO, or founder ready to experience real growth in your business with measurable results you can trust, don’t settle for consultants who promise without delivering. Never accept anything other than a transparent results-driven business growth model that aligns consultant efforts with client success, not just task completion.
Click here to answer a few questions about what you do and what you are dealing with and if it looks like we might be a match I’ll reach out to discover if you qualify for my exclusive, result-oriented business growth services. Then together we can turn your business potential into tangible success you can actually see!
