The 5 Cs for Consistent Growth How HR Consultants Can Build Pipeline Without Burnout

Running a consultancy can feel like a balancing act. You are delivering great work, supporting clients, managing the business, and trying to keep momentum going all at the same time. It is rewarding, but it can also feel inconsistent and exhausting. In this episode,

Sarah shares an honest reflection on revisiting her own business fundamentals at the start of the year and why small readjustments and tracking the right success factors can dramatically improve consistency and control. She then applies the 5 Cs model Confidence, Clarity, Credibility, Collaboration and Courage through a growth lens, giving HR consultants a practical operating system they can start using straight away.

This is not theory. It is grounded, real-world guidance based on what Sarah sees working every day with established consultants.

In this episode, you will learn:

* Why most consultants do not have a lead problem, they have a follow-up problem

* How to use confident, professional follow-up without feeling awkward

* Why focusing on one clear lead offer per quarter improves pipeline and referrals

* What credibility assets help clients feel safe saying yes

* How to build referral routes rather than relying on random networking

* A simple weekly rhythm to protect pipeline even when delivery is busy

* Why consistency comes from small habits, not big overhauls About The HR Consultancy Academy

Sarah also shares how you can now access one month of guest access to The HR Consultancy Academy, allowing you to experience the community and support before deciding whether to join. The Academy is not a passive membership. Consultants who get the most value are those who actively engage by:

* Taking part in challenges

* Attending Live CPD monthly days

* Joining monthly networking sessions

* Asking questions and staying involved in the community That is where momentum builds and businesses begin to feel more consistent and sustainable.

Find out more here: 👉

https://www.leapintoconsulting.com/hr-consultancy-academy

In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD dives deep into the real challenges new HR consultants face in their first year. Drawing on decades of experience, client stories, and insights from her bestselling book, “Leap into Consulting,” Sarah unpacks the most common stumbling blocks - like client acquisition struggles, confidence wobbles, and the temptation to focus on “busy work” instead of what actually grows your business.

To find out more about our services :

www.leapintoconsulting.com

As we are close to wrapping up 2025, this episode gives you the space, clarity and structure to design a confident, focused and successful year ahead. Whether you’re an established HR consultant or preparing to make the leap in 2026, this guided working session will help you reflect on your year, reset your direction and build a simple, powerful plan for the next 12 months.

Join Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD - award-winning mentor, author of Leap into HR Consulting® and founder of The HR Consultancy Academy as she walks you through:

• A guided 2025 debrief: what worked, what didn’t, and what to leave behind

• How to design 2026 with intention instead of drifting into another year

• The 3 simple goals every consultant needs: revenue, lifestyle and impact

• How to use 90-day sprints to stay focused and avoid feast-and-famine cycles

• The first practical steps you can take this week to start 2026 strong

This episode is reflective, practical and designed to help you hit January with clarity and confidence. Perfect for listening on a winter walk, a quiet morning with a notebook, or during your end-of-year planning session.

If you want support, structure and a community around you in 2026, explore:

• The HR Consultants Bootcamp

• The HR Consultancy Academy

• The Coaching Cards for Start-Up, Growth and Scale-Up

Share your top 2026 goal with Sarah on LinkedIn - she’d love to hear it.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhg/

Onwards and upwards ✨

What an event and here we have mashed together Part 1 of the festival with snippets from many of our podcast guests who were interviewed by Steve Randall our podcast producer and host from the podmobile!

Next year's event details are here and tickets are now live:

https://www.leapintoconsulting.com/the-hr-consultancy-festival-2026

We look forward to seeing you there !

Sarah

• Emily’s transition story: redundancy as a catalyst and the role of a supportive manager.

• Niche expertise: European HR operations and multi-jurisdictional compliance.

• Bootcamp experience: clarity, presence audit tool, and the power of community.

• Consulting growth: defining her ideal client, networking, and securing first clients.

• Career reflections: balancing multiple hats, enjoying flexibility, and advice for aspiring consultants.

• Upcoming initiatives:

  • HR upskilling modules for UK HR professionals.

  • Country-specific HR audits and compliance support packages.

• Connect with Emily on LinkedIn to learn more about her services and upcoming resources.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonates with you!

In this episode, Sarah talks with Russell Groves, founder of Sensei Limited, about the power of AI tools, the evolution of his SME-focused learning platform, and why partnering with HR consultants is transforming L&D. From freemium compliance courses to leadership development and expert collaboration, this conversation is packed with insights for consultants and business leaders alike.

To Find Out More

What a great story and opportunity for our listeners to add this service to their portfolio.

All consultants can set up a FREE account for themselves and their clients offering a range of free training - additional options are then available.

In this inspiring conversation, Sarah May shares how she went from corporate HR managing employee relations for over 4,000 employees across 52 hotels to running her own successful HR consultancy, Mayday HR.

After joining the Leap into HR Consulting Bootcamp, Sarah gained the momentum, confidence, and business mindset she needed to launch her consultancy in just two months. She’s since built a thriving business, anchored by her innovative retainer service, the “Mayday Maintainer”, which offers clients peace of mind, sustainable support, and flexible access to her expertise.

In this podcast episode, we’re joined once again by the brilliant Justine Palin, diving into the most frequently asked questions from consultants who are ready to grow beyond being a solo founder. Together, we explore what it really takes to scale your consultancy, whether that means building a team, expanding your offerings, or stepping into a more strategic leadership role. If you’ve ever asked, “What’s next for me and my business?”, this one’s for you.

To join the upcoming free masterclass sign up here

You’ll learn how to move from overwhelmed and overworked to operating with clarity, systems, and the right kind of support.

• The mindset shift from ‘doer’ to CEO
• What to systemise before bringing anyone in
• What to delegate (and how to do it properly)
• How to scale with the right mix of people + process + automation

• A clear understanding of what’s keeping you stuck
• Practical steps to simplify and delegate
• Confidence to start building a business that doesn’t rely solely on you