Clever Disruption’s Post

What makes an executive consultant truly trustworthy? 🤔 Trust in the consulting world isn’t built with a handshake or a well-placed pun—though, let’s admit, it doesn’t hurt. The real question most execs should ask is: What makes a consultant indispensable, not just another vendor with a fancy PowerPoint? It turns out, it’s all about becoming the advisor you can’t do without. So here's my unsolicited advise to others executive consultants starting their journey. 1. Listen more than you pitch The best consultants know when to stop talking. True trust starts when you listen to what’s not being said. That subtle pause when you mention a new market? The hesitation when discussing a brand’s legacy? Those are the moments you need to catch. Listening like a bartender on a slow Tuesday builds connection. Because, let’s face it, no one trusts the person who never stops talking about themselves. 🙄 2. Show up before you're needed Being indispensable means you’re there before the ice starts melting. Whether it’s a sudden change in consumer tastes or a supply chain issue, show up—before your client even asks. True trust is earned when clients feel like you’re as invested in their brand as they are, without having to chase you down. 3. Give it to them straight, no chaser Sugarcoating? Leave that for cocktail rims. A trusted advisor tells it like it is, even if it means being the bearer of hard truths. If a flavor launch is a dud or a marketing campaign isn’t hitting right, your clients want the real deal. Nothing earns trust faster than honesty when the stakes are high. So, are you ready to be the kind of executive partner who knows when to speak, when to listen, and when to deliver a reality check? I promise these tips will take your consulting game from the well to the top-shelf. If all else fails, reach out and let’s chat—no extra charge for ice! 😉 #FractionalCMO #Consultant #FoodandBeverage #Spirits #ExecutivePartner #Trust

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