Lany and Susan dive into the sometimes murky waters of consultant-client relationships. Drawing from years of experience sitting on every side of the boardroom table, they tackle the age-old question: "Who is responsible for doing the tasks at hand?"

Let's face it—consultants don't come with magic wands, and CEOs don't get to toss the keys and walk away. Whether you've ever wondered "Why isn't this working?" or "I paid a consultant, so why isn't everything fixed?" this episode cuts through the confusion with practical advice on setting boundaries, managing expectations, and creating successful partnerships.

Susan and Lany share real-world stories about scope creep, communication breakdowns, and the emotional rollercoaster that can derail even the best-intentioned business relationships. They also offer straightforward tips for both sides to keep things running smoothly, from clear contracts to honest conversations about decision-making authority.

Tune in for a no-nonsense discussion about what makes consultant-CEO partnerships work, and what doesn't!

1. Clear Roles and Responsibilities: CEOs and consultants must understand who owns what in the relationship. Consultants provide expertise and guidance, but CEOs remain the ultimate decision-makers.
2. Communication is Critical: Most problems in consultant-client relationships stem from poor communication or unclear expectations.
3. Consultants' Role: Consultants bring fresh perspectives, specialized expertise, and assessment capabilities but aren't responsible for the final decisions or outcomes.
4. CEO Authority: Business owners need to maintain their decision-making power and not abdicate responsibility to consultants.
5. Documentation and Contracts: Clear contracts and documentation help prevent scope creep and establish expectations for both parties.
6. Implementation Shared Effort: Even after a consultant provides recommendations, implementation requires effort from both parties.
7. Knowing When to Part Ways: Sometimes the relationship isn't a good fit, and both parties should know how to amicably end the engagement.

In this episode, Susan Finch and Lany Sullivan revisit a topic we can’t stress enough: branded email addresses. Using Gmail, Yahoo, or even AOL for business? You’re losing trust before the conversation starts. We dig into real examples, onboarding requirements, offboarding protocols, and the risk of letting your team operate with inconsistent or unprotected emails. Your email isn’t just a communication tool—it’s your brand's handshake.

Related Reading:

• Domain, Email & Website Evaluation for Your Brand

• Why Branded Email Matters – Quick Reminder

Listen, nod, then take action.

Struggling to make your real estate data stand out in a sea of generic market reports? In this episode of Rooted in Revenue, I share practical insights from my recent workshop with NRBA professionals Kelley Kesterson and Angelica Suarez, who are looking to elevate their marketing with meaningful data visualization. Discover how to transform complex market statistics into compelling visual stories that build trust and position you as the go-to expert in your local market—all using tools you already have access to, like Google Sheets. Stop wasting time on generic industry charts that mean nothing to your audience and start creating content that genuinely connects.

1. Data with context builds trust - Generic industry charts without local relevance or explanation provide no value to your audience.
2. Simplify your data storytelling - Focus on communicating one clear message rather than overwhelming with multiple data points.
3. Use accessible tools - Google Sheets offers easy chart creation and customization without needing advanced design skills.
4. Brand your visuals - Customize colors to match your brand and include your logo so graphics remain attributed if shared.
5. Create master templates - Develop Google Slides masters with different layouts for different content types to maintain consistency.
6. Prioritize readability - Use high contrast between text and background, and consider accessibility for all viewers.
7. Post with purpose - Better to post quality content weekly than generic, contextless daily updates.
8. Establish visual consistency - Different content types should have recognizable, consistent layouts.
9. Consider format versatility - Create both square (Instagram) and rectangular (website/LinkedIn) versions of your template.
10. Show local expertise - Position yourself as the authority by translating national trends to your specific market conditions.