Navigating Change in 2025 for Coaches & Consultants

How to navigate business growth in 2025 as the pace of change accelerates and the economy remains unpredictable.

2024 wasn't the year we expected. Offerings that sold like hotcakes in 2023 struggled to find clients. Marketing strategies that brought in new clients in droves suddenly stopped working. And paid traffic pricing shot through the roof.

Corporations struggled with employee engagement and culture shifts as the return to work with feet on the carpet left many leaders struggling to recreate a corporate culture that was decimated by the pandemic.

Consumers started holding onto their cash, and saying 'no' to big-ticket coaching solutions after being burned by past past investments with little ROI to show.

And, If your LinkedIn Messaging feed is anything like mine, it's jammed with messages from strangers outlining in great detail (and even video) how your marketing is all wrong.

How do you navigate business growth at a time when everything is changing, and nothing is consistent?

In my recent workshop, Growth Strategies for Challenging Times, I shared three key strategies to make your business resilient, future-focused, and set for sustainable growth. I designed these strategies with service-based business owners in mind, especially coaches and consultants who want to build profitable, predictable revenue without sacrificing quality or burning out.

Here's what we covered:

1. Increase Client Lifetime Value

The secret to revenue stability lies in building deeper, longer-lasting client relationships. Acquiring new clients can be 5 to 25 times more expensive than retaining existing ones, but many business owners remain caught up in a cycle of constantly seeking new leads. By focusing on client lifetime value, you can increase profitability while reducing the time and energy spent on lead generation.

“Acquiring new clients is five to 25 times more expensive than retaining the ones you already have. By increasing retention by just 5%, you could boost your profits by 25 to 95%.”

For service-based businesses, increasing client lifetime value means creating an intentional “value ladder.” Instead of a single service or one-time engagement, imagine a series of progressive offerings, each one solving a unique client problem or unlocking a new opportunity.

2. Stand Out as a Thought Leader in Your Category

It’s not enough to be visible; you need to be the trusted expert that your ideal clients turn to. Thought leadership is what differentiates you from competitors and transforms visibility into influence. It’s about clearly defining your unique perspective, so your clients understand why they need your expertise and not just any expert’s.

“In crowded markets, thought leadership is your differentiator. It’s about making your value crystal clear and creating magnetic messaging that draws in your ideal clients.”

To stand out, you need messaging that stops the scroll and gets potential clients to see the value in your approach. True thought leadership involves not only sharing valuable insights but also understanding and articulating what your brand stands for. Ask yourself, “What will people remember most after meeting me or hearing me speak for the first time?”

3. Harness AI as a Game-Changer In Your Operations

AI is rapidly transforming business operations, from automating routine tasks to enhancing client engagement. To stay competitive, you need to explore AI’s potential to streamline your workflow, improve client interactions, and identify new market opportunities.

Start small—maybe with AI-driven analytics to understand client behavior. As you get comfortable, integrate AI in ways that save you time and increase your effectiveness. It could be as simple as using AI to identify which services are most in demand among your clients or to create custom workflows.

“AI is advancing so fast, we’re going to see 100 years’ worth of innovation in the next decade. If you’re not harnessing it, you’re missing a major growth opportunity.”

AI has already demonstrated the power to make businesses more efficient. Imagine having the data insights you need to anticipate client needs or trends—a resource previously reserved only for big companies with large analytics budgets. Now, AI is available to businesses of all sizes, and by leveraging it, you gain a huge advantage in growing and adapting your service offerings.

Adaptability is your greatest asset in uncertain times.

When you’re willing to adjust your strategies, innovate with new solutions, improve your processes, and explore new tools, you not only navigate change—you thrive in it.

Ready to dig deeper into these strategies and learn how to put them into action?

Catch the full episode on your favorite podcast player. Discover practical, actionable steps to make your growth predictable, even when the future isn’t.

Listen to the Full Episode Here