Conversations Where Business Development Meets Real-World Strategy
The Market Leaders PodcastJoin David Ackert, Founder of PipelinePlus, as he uncovers actionable insights from top performers in professional services. Each episode delivers concrete lessons you can apply immediately—whether you're growing a firm or advancing your career.
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Subscribe on Your Favorite Platform:Ep.77 - "A Fresh Approach to Lateral Partner Recruiting" with Scott Love
David Ackert chats with Scott Love, President of The Attorney Search Group and a leading authority in legal recruiting, about three critical firm growth strategies: encouraging lawyers to expand their books of business through their referral network, through prospecting, and through lateral recruiting.
Ep.76 - "A Go-to-Market Strategy by Industry" with Mike Mellor
Mike Mellor, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Pryor Cashman LLP was a recent guest on the Market Leaders Podcast. Pryor Cashman has approximately 200 attorneys and three offices, primarily in the media centers of Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. Mike has been in legal marketing for about 10 years and prior to that was in financial services.
Ep.75 - "Sage Insights for Uncertain Times" a Retrospective
Join us as we explore Steve Martini and Larry Braun‘s perspectives on building relationships, Colin Keefe‘s essential guidance on rate structuring, and Eva Wisnik‘s recruitment ideology.
Ep.74 - "An Entrepreneurial Approach to Firm Growth" with Marianne Talbot
Marianne Talbot, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Bailey & Glasser LLP recently joined David Ackert on The Market Leaders Podcast where she discussed her unique entrepreneurial approach to growing a law firm. Marianne is a lawyer, turned entrepreneur, turned law firm CMBDO at a law firm. David asked her to talk about her career path.
Ep.73 - "Cultivating a BD Mindset with Associates" with Katie Munroe
In this week’s episode of the Market Leaders Podcast, Katie Munroe, Chief Marketing Officer at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP, describes how she championed an expansion of the firm’s business development efforts to include partners and associates.
Ep.72 - "Making an Impact in the Short-Term" with Maggie Garden
In this episode of the Market Leaders Podcast, Maggie Garden, Director of Business Development at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, discusses how she’s positively impacted Shipman’s BD culture just 3 months after stepping into her new role.
Ep.71 - "Differentiating the Firm in a Crowded Market" with Sadie Baron
The traditional approach to law firm marketing lacks malleability and imagination. In other words, it leaves no room for teams to react to a fast paced and ever-changing market. Being slow to market and slow to pivot are not an option in today’s competitive economy. Sadie Baron, CMO at Reed Smith has recognized this, and true to her innovative spirit, helped her firm adapt. Reed Smith implements “diagonals,” creating dynamic, multi-skilled teams who are free of day jobs, operate independently of hierarchy, and can respond to client needs on an aggressive timeline.
Ep.70 - "How to Successfully Interview for Future Rainmakers & Business Developers" with Eva Wisnik
Over the past 26 years, Eva has trained Partners at 88 law firms on how to interview legal talent. The art of assessing talent and selling top candidates on the firm are crucial skills in today’s competitive job market. Tune in to hear Eva share her thoughts.
Ep.69 - "Rate Strategies that Maximize Client Value" with Colin Keefe
In this episode, David Ackert, Founder & CEO at Ackert Inc. speaks with Colin Keefe, a Partner and Chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group at mid sized law firm Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, P.C. (FLB).
Ep.68 - "How to Effectively Establish and Nurture Referral Partnerships" with Steve Martini & Lawrence Braun
Imagine being friends with someone for years, and referring millions of dollars back and forth between each other’s businesses. In this episode Steve Martini (MST, CPA | Partner at Withum) and Larry Braun (Partner at Sheppard Mullin) talk with David Ackert about their referral partner relationship and share how they’ve done just that. Tune in to learn the importance of building connections, how to build a professional network and nurture it well, and how to leverage referral partnerships to build your book of business.
Ep.67 - "A Process for Optimizing Profitability" with Kip Guthrie
In this episode, Kip Guthrie (Senior Advisor, Ackert) talks with David Ackert (Founder & CEO, Ackert) about the current talent war and how to optimize firm profitability.
Ep.66 - "Weatherproof Strategic Planning" with Timothy Corcoran
There are some seasons when strategic planning is critical, and others when it’s just nice to have. In this episode, Timothy Corcoran (Principal, Corcoran Consulting Group, LLC) talks with David Ackert about shifts in strategic planning, the components and tactical implementation of a firm’s strategic plan; and using a strategic plan to differentiate your firm in the months and years to come.
Ep.65 - "Listening, Learning and Applying Lessons" with Kathryn Whitaker
Many of us wish to see changes in the management and improvement of our community, but only a courageous few decide to take matters into their own hands by running for office. In this episode, Kathryn Whitaker, Chief Marketing Officer at Burr & Forman, talks with David Ackert about the interesting and inspiring career journey she has embarked on over the past few years.
Ep.64 - "Transitioning from Virtual Communities" with Liz Sobe
Over the past year, many have formed virtual communities to maintain their connections (and their sanity). In this episode, Liz Cerasuolo Sobe (Director of Strategic Growth, Goulston & Storrs) talks with David Ackert about the role communities play in our business development and our mental health.
Ep.63 - "Beyond the Optics of Diversity" with Gia Altreche
Join David Ackert as he interviews Gia Altreche, Director of Business Development & Marketing at Newmeyer Dillion, in this episode of the Market Leaders Podcast.
Ep.62 - "Establishing Efficiency and Innovation Standards" with Kelly Harbour
Join David Ackert as he interviews Kelly Harbour, Director of Client Relations and Innovation at Goulston & Storrs, in this episode of the Market Leaders Podcast.
Ep.61 - "Integrating Talent Strategy with Business Development" with Brittaney Schmidt
Join David Ackert as he interviews Brittaney Schmidt, Chief Talent Officer at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, in this episode of the Market Leaders Podcast.
Ep.60 - "The Keys to a Successful Lateral Integration" with Anand David
Join David Ackert as he interviews Anand David, Global Head of Lateral Partner Recruitment & Integration at Hogan Lovells, in this episode of the Market Leaders Podcast.