Welcome to My #1

I’m just starting: No announcement, no countdown, no nothing…

“The Partner Advantage” is my biweekly newsletter for partners in the larger professional services firms. I’m thinking Big Four here and others of equal size (maybe a little smaller).

At this stage; I’m not totally sure how it will all develop, but… right now, it's three sections

As a lead-in, it’s about A Partner’s Career. Given my background, it’s about advice and musings here: How you develop and move in a large firm, and how you can build a standout practice while having a life. What to better stay away from… The dos and the don’ts.

The second section, What Partners May Find Interesting, is about stuff that struck me as interesting (if not intriguing), and which you may also value…just one or two tips. I see myself here providing a short intro or commentary with a URL link.

The third and final section – the one I’m torn about the most right now – is about my life as an entrepreneur following my own career: An Entrepreneur's Life (After Being A Partner). I’ve been experiencing exciting wins, and unforeseen losses and witnessing frustrating developments. All of them go hand in hand with the realization that my learning isn’t over – who would have thought? At times, it could be a bit easier and less costly, though.

Not sure how it will develop, but stay put, and you’ll find out. I’m publishing on Saturday with the hope that’s the day, you, the potential reader, will have a bit of time on your hands to read and potentially comment.

Thank you for taking a peek at The Partner Advantage.

I appreciate you!

Max

P.S. This has been easier than I expected. I procrastinated over it for months, I’m ashamed to admit.

P.P.S. Given that this is my #1, it’s a little longer than what I expect it to be in the future.

Gardening in the Cold: A Metaphor for Staying Focused Amidst Big Firm Chaos

Ever tried gardening in the cold? It’s the season again, and that was me last weekend. It’s cold, but there’s something about it. Rake the leaves, prune some unwieldy bushes and trees (and there are many of them!) and boom – you see a result.

Instant gratification. It’s refreshing, especially when I compare it to the world of my clients in Big Four firms, a world I’ve gotten to know very well.

Think about it. In these firms, partners are like gardeners trying to plant in a hailstorm. They’re bombarded with endless meetings, systemic noise, and distractions.

They’re supposed to be focusing on growing revenues, but how can you focus when you’re always being dragged into meetings that seem to exist just for the sake of it? Or into some initiatives, you have been asked to lead out of the blue?

It’s like my dad used to say, “Just keep working; it will get warm.” Simple, but it’s gold. In gardening, you keep at it, and eventually, you see your garden thrive.

In the professional world? Not so much. You’re lost in the blizzard of internal politics and pointless tasks, and you forget what you’re there for – to see your efforts bear fruit, literally and figuratively.

So, what’s the solution? Stay focused. It’s like when you’re in your garden – you don’t let the cold stop you. You’ve got your goal, and you stick to it. That’s what I tell my clients. Tune out the noise. Remember why you’re there. You’re there to make a difference, to grow something.

It’s easy to get lost in the chaos, but you’ve got to be like a gardener in the winter. Keep your eyes on the prize. Sure, you’ll have to attend those meetings but don’t let them derail you. Keep your focus on what really matters; find a professional way to keep the noise at bay.

And here’s a pro tip – take a page out of my ‘gardening book’. At the end of each week, take stock. Ask yourself: What did I achieve this week? What’s my plan for next week? What’s getting in my way or may turn out positively? Write it down, mull it over with a hot cup of something, and keep yourself on track.

I’ve seen this work wonders with my clients in consulting and the Big Four. They start to see the clutter for what it is and find their way back to what’s important – maintaining and growing their part of the garden.

So, to all my fellow professionals and partners out there, remember this: Don’t let the cold stop you. Keep gardening, keep focused, and soon enough, you’ll see your garden – and your career – flourish.

What Partners May Find Interesting

Cross-selling (Part 1): How can firms make the most of their conversations with clients?

https://www.sourceglobalresearch.com/cross-selling-part-1-how-can-firms-make-the-most-of-their-conversations-with-clients?pi_content=2c0533e65e1e308f5c2c86dc92598bdd2a144c05f042b743ba2a9a68dbc59e5b

Interesting findings and conclusions from the researchers at SOURCE. My conclusion: If you want to cross-sell (i.e., develop an account and bring more of your services to it), you better have something of substance to tell your clients. Strange enough, though, some things seem not to change at all…

The Inside Story of Microsoft's Partnership with OpenAI

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/12/11/the-inside-story-of-microsofts-partnership-with-openai

This is an interesting and insightful read – and it should be before the paywall if you haven’t already depleted the number of free reads on The New Yorker’s website. Given that ALL firms are huge on AI, and that the author, Charles Duhigg, is a credible writer, I thought it would be good to have some background here.

An Entrepreneur's Life (After Being A Partner)

It's incredible how much time I've spent to understand the intrinsic details of my CRM system. The system has been a heaven's sent. Without it, I would be at a total loss since my business has moved from B2B more into the B2C space.

Who would have thought I needed a CRM? Not me! I was biased. At all the firms I had been, CRMs got implemented and… nobody used them. But, boy, didn't we have major discussions before the implementation, with all the pros and cons properly vetted?

Why would partners openly declare what they were after, a lead? For others to find out (and take to their next firm), for the enablement of the managing partner to bug you about progress? Even when firms started to force people on it ("You can't open a job code if the lead isn't recorded properly!"), people gamed the system.

It's amazing how affordable CRMs have become over the years and how extremely capable they are. I couldn’t do without; I would lose track… By the way, If I were still at a firm today, I'd have my own. A bit cheeky, I know.

As a side note, I've finally developed The Weekly Result Catalyst. It's my design of a 26-week accountability partnership to transform a partner's success in the Big Four environment. After some initial trials, it's now out. Let's see what will happen. I'm pushing it; do fear not.

And if you're…

"Ready to Cultivate Your Professional Garden"

Are you feeling stuck in the endless cycle of meetings and corporate noise, struggling to focus on what truly matters in your professional journey? Let's change that. If what I do resonates with you and you're curious how I can help you cut through the clutter to find your focus and grow your career, don't hesitate to reach out.

Drop me a message or connect with me here on LinkedIn. Let's discuss how I can support you in navigating the complexities of your professional environment, just like I guide my plants through the harsh winter to blossom in spring. Together, we can uncover the strategies that will help you thrive in your professional 'garden' and achieve the results you're aiming for.

Looking forward to hearing from you and exploring how we can cultivate your success!

About Max Habeck

Max is a results-oriented executive mentor who works with partners and other executives in professional services firms. He’s known for his clear views and practical advice on how direct-entry and new-in-role partners can best overcome transition hurdles and drive revenue growth.

Fact-driven, straight-talking, and constantly asking clients for their concrete next actions, he guides them to produce results while staying away from the political minefields and time-sucks in large firms. Trust him with your partner-career… but don’t expect him to beat around the bushes.

Before his EMCC Global accreditation as a Senior Practitioner, Max worked in management consulting most of his professional life, first at Kearney, where he became a partner and practice leader. Ultimately, he completed his professional firm career as a managing partner at EY, working with 1,100 people in one of the fastest-growing global practices.

*EMCC - European Mentoring and Coaching Council