Optimise: Work Smarter, Not Harder in Your Solo Consulting Business
The Efficiency Trap: Are You Busy or Productive?
You start your day with a long to-do list, respond to emails, jump on client calls, and juggle multiple projects. By the time the day ends, you’ve worked for hours, yet it feels like you’ve barely made a dent in your real goals.
Sound familiar?
Many solo consultants fall into the efficiency trap—mistaking busyness for productivity. They spend time doing everything instead of focusing on the right things that drive business growth.
The difference between struggling consultants and successful solo professionals isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter. This is where the Optimise phase of the SOLO Framework comes into play.
Optimisation is about maximising efficiency, streamlining operations, and ensuring that every effort contributes to meaningful progress. When you optimise how you manage time, set up systems, and structure your pricing, you free yourself from unnecessary workload and create a business that runs smoothly and profitably.
The SOLO Framework: Step Two – Optimise
The O in the SOLO Framework stands for Optimise, which means structuring your consulting business for efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. It includes:
By optimising your operations, you shift from constant hustle mode to a structured and scalable business model that supports long-term success.
1. Mastering Time Management: Focus on What Matters Most
Time is your most valuable resource, yet many solo consultants waste it on:
? Low-value administrative tasks
? Excessive email checking
? Inefficient project management
? Scope creep from unclear boundaries
To optimise time, use these three power strategies:
A. Use the Eisenhower Matrix to Prioritise Tasks
Categorise tasks based on urgency and importance:
B. Batch Similar Tasks Together
Switching between different types of work kills productivity. Instead, batch similar tasks:
? Dedicate one time block for deep client work.
? Set specific slots for emails and calls instead of checking all day.
? Reserve weekly planning sessions to set priorities.
C. Automate and Outsource Low-Value Tasks
Use technology to eliminate repetitive tasks and free up time for high-impact work.
Action Step: Perform a Time Audit for one week to track where your hours go. Identify and remove time-wasters, then implement structured time-blocking for focus.
2. Smart Pricing Strategies: Charge for Value, Not Hours
One of the biggest optimisation mistakes solo consultants make? Underpricing their expertise.
Many consultants:
? Charge hourly, limiting their earning potential.
? Struggle to justify higher prices.
? Accept every client, even those who don’t fit their ideal profile.
A. Shift from Hourly to Value-Based Pricing
Your pricing should reflect the results you deliver, not just the hours you work.
Example: Instead of saying, “I charge $100 per hour,” shift to: “For $5,000, I will optimise your customer onboarding process, reducing churn by 20% and increasing retention.”
Clients don’t care about how long you work—they care about the outcome.
B. Package Your Services for Higher Revenue
Bundling services into packages makes it easier for clients to understand what they’re getting while allowing you to price strategically.
Example of Pricing Packages:
Packages create predictability, prevent scope creep, and let you work with fewer, higher-paying clients instead of chasing many small projects.
3. Streamlining with Systems and Tools
Without the right systems in place, solo consultants waste hours managing invoices, scheduling calls, or tracking client work manually. Automation and technology allow you to optimise your business by handling repetitive tasks efficiently.
A. Essential Systems Every Solo Consultant Needs
B. The 80/20 Rule: Focus on the Highest Impact Activities
80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. By automating and optimising, you ensure that your time is spent on high-value tasks like consulting and business development—not on admin work.
Action Step: Choose one area of your business (eg client management, invoicing, or scheduling) and implement a system or tool this week to automate it.
Closing Thoughts: Build an Optimised Business That Works for You
Running a solo consulting business doesn’t mean working harder—it means working smarter. By optimising your time, pricing, and systems, you free yourself from unnecessary work and create a sustainable business model that grows without burnout.
?? Action Step: Pick one optimisation strategy from this article—whether it’s time blocking, value-based pricing, or automating invoices—and implement it this week. Small, strategic changes will create massive results over time.
The most successful solo consultants don’t just work—they optimise. Are you ready to work smarter and build a thriving consulting business? Start optimising today.
Phil Charles, Founder GoingSolo.Academy
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