Paul Higgins Podcast

Paul Higgins
  • 5.0 (36)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

If you’re a SaaS Consulting Partner earning low to mid six figures—and wearing every hat from sales to delivery—this podcast is your shortcut to scaling smarter. Each week, I talk to successful Partners of Salesforce, Zoho, NetSuite, Monday.com, and HubSpot partners who’ve cracked the code to bigger deals, better systems, and more freedom. No fluff. Just sharp lessons from the field. Subscribe and join 600+ episodes of real, raw, and proven advice for SaaS Consulting Partners ready to scale 7 figures and beyond.

  1. 1D AGO

    665 - AI Does 70% of the Work and Here’s What a Salesforce Partner Does With the Other 30 with Ferny Bengali

    Why you should listen Ferny reveals how Sherpaneer uses AI across operations, from capacity planning models to proposal development, giving you a practical blueprint for integrating AI into your own consulting workflows.Learn how Ferny and her partner built a fully self-sourced pipeline through reciprocal partnerships with adjacent vendors like Gong, Clari, and FinancialForce, without relying on Salesforce for leads.Get Ferny's approach to managing AI tools across a team, including shared projects in Claude, an internal AI use policy, and a quarterly review cycle to keep everything current. You know you should be using AI in your consulting practice, but where do you actually start without compromising client data or wasting time on tools that don't stick? In this episode, I talk with Ferny Bengali from Sherpaneer, a boutique Salesforce consultancy that works with enterprise clients across high-tech, financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare. Ferny walks me through exactly how her team of 12 uses AI day to day, from feeding anonymized staffing data into models for capacity planning, to using voice notes and LLMs to prep for pitches. We also get into how she structures client knowledge across projects, her approach to AI-optimized content for SEO, and why she hired a part-time BD person instead of going full-time. If you've been experimenting with AI but haven't operationalized it across your practice yet, this conversation will show you what that looks like in action. About Ferny Bengali Farnaz (Ferny) Bengali is Co-President of Sherpaneer, a women-owned, diverse Salesforce consulting partner that helps mid-to-large organizations implement the right way, the first time. With 20+ years of industry experience—including leadership roles at MicroStrategy, Accenture, and The Carlyle Group—Ferny chose the boutique path over big consulting, building a practice that delivers senior-level expertise without the agency bloat. She's also a board member of WISE (Women in Salesforce Entrepreneurship), co-invests in hospitality through Dogwood Hospitality, and is passionate about using AI as an operating layer to scale consulting without scaling headcount. Resources and Links Sherpaneer.comFerny's LinkedIn profileRead.aiNotebook LMScribeChatGPTClaudeGoogle Geminili...

    31 min

  2. 4D AGO

    664 - Stop celebrating your referrals

    Still relying on referrals and hoping the next one brings a decent project? In this episode, I break down why your referral strategy is actually killing your margins, not growing them. I share the pattern I see with over 200 tech consultants who are great at delivery but trapped in legacy business development, constantly auditioning for clients who see them as a vendor instead of a strategic partner. Learn how you can increase your revenue by making two important decisions: the WHO decision and the WHAT decision. If you are tired of the referral lottery and ready to stop competing on price, this episode lays out what actually needs to change. Resources and Links Apply for a Multiplier CallPrevious episode: 663 - The "Fake Productivity" Trap for Tech ConsultantsCheck out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

    5 min

  3. FEB 2

    663 - The "Fake Productivity" Trap for Tech Consultants

    Ever finish a 60-hour week and realize you didn't do a single thing to find better clients? In this episode, I break down why most tech consultants stay trapped in work that feels productive but actually keeps them stuck. I share the story of a client who was exhausted, in debt, and over-delivering on every project until we made two critical decisions together: the WHO (estate attorneys only) and the WHAT (productized service with clear scope). Six months later, he cleared his debt and doubled his profits. If you've been avoiding the hard decisions by staying busy with comfortable work, this one will challenge you to finally make the call. Resources and Links Apply for a Multiplier CallPrevious episode: 662 - How to Build an AI Strategy That Actually Works with Christine DuqueCheck out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

    5 min

  4. JAN 29

    662 - How to Build an AI Strategy That Actually Works with Christine Duque

    Why you should listen Christine Duque, former Big Four consultant and CEO of Alonsera, shares why only 10% of global companies are seeing real impact from AI, and what separates the successful ones from the rest.Learn Christine's "Three A's" framework for making AI consumable: Automated, Anticipatory, and Augmented intelligence, plus how to progress toward autonomous operations.Get practical guidance on structuring AI transformation committees and coaching executive sponsors to drive cross-organizational buy-in. Feeling pressure to "do something with AI" but unsure where to start without wasting budget or burning out your team? In this episode, I talk with Christine Duque, CEO of Alonsera and former Big Four consultant who now helps mid-market companies in highly regulated industries navigate AI implementation. We dig into why most AI initiatives fail before they even launch, and it's not the technology. Christine explains why treating AI like a silver bullet creates more chaos than progress, and what the 10% of companies getting real results are doing differently. If you're tired of the hype and want a grounded perspective on what AI adoption actually requires, this conversation cuts through the noise. About Christine Duque Christine Duque is CEO of Alonsera, a global AI consultancy helping organizations deploy AI solutions that actually scale. With executive experience at Accenture, Deloitte, and IBM, she's overseen $2B+ in AI and digital transformation projects for Fortune 50/100/500 companies—delivering results like 70% faster data ingestion and 30-50% customer engagement efficiency gains. A sought-after speaker on ethical AI and digital transformation, Christine is actively shaping international AI standards through partnerships with Oxford University and UC Irvine. She authored the Amazon best-seller Walking in My Shoes: Shattering Glass Ceilings in Corporate America and co-founded the Women's Empowerment AI Network. An accomplished operatic soprano, she debuted at Carnegie Hall. Resources and Links Duquesacd.comAlonsera.comChristine's LinkedIn profileChristine on Instagram: @christineduqueChristine on Facebook: Christine DuqueChristine on TikTok: @duquesacdYoutube Channel: Christine DuqueChristine’s book: Walking In My Shoes:...

    39 min

  5. JAN 26

    661 - How Long Should You Stick With Your Consulting Niche?

    Stuck three months into a niche and wondering if you picked wrong? In this episode, I share the story of a client who spent 14 months doubting his industrial automation niche before everything clicked. His first outreach response took 14 months to close. A newsletter reader opened the same email 25 times before becoming a client. I break down why most consultants quit at the exact moment their planted seeds are about to grow, and why your biggest competitor isn't other consultants but your own ability to commit long enough to let your niche work. Resources and Links Apply for a Multiplier CallPrevious episode: 660 - The Human-Centric AI Shift Every Tech Consultant Should Know with Scott Stafford Check out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

    4 min

  6. JAN 19

    660 - The Human-Centric AI Shift Every Tech Consultant Should Know with Scott Stafford

    Why you should listen Scott Stafford shares his human-centric AI framework, explaining why major tech companies are now hiring salespeople again despite investing heavily in agentic solutions.Learn how to shift 20% of your workload to voice mode and natural language, with practical examples of completing real work while away from your desk.Discover where vibe coding tools like Bolt.new hit their limits and what foundational knowledge you still need to deliver AI-first solutions for clients. Wondering where to place your bets as AI reshapes the entire SaaS landscape? In this episode, I talk with Scott Stafford, an AI strategist working at the intersection of Salesforce, robotics, and human-centric technology. We dig into why companies that rushed to replace humans with AI are now reversing course, and what that shift means for consultants building practices today. Scott also shares his vision for how personal agents will become your new user interface, making traditional software interactions feel like relics. If you're trying to figure out where to invest your learning time and how to stay relevant as voice interfaces take over, this conversation maps out the territory ahead. About Scott Stafford Scott Stafford is a Human-Centric Technologist, AI Strategy Lead, and technology evangelist with 20+ years of experience bridging business strategy and emerging technology. A 27-time Salesforce certified All-Star Ranger and community leader, Scott focuses on helping people and organizations adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He is co-founder of RiseWithVoice, an initiative that helps individuals strengthen both their literal and metaphorical voice to thrive in an AI-augmented future. Resources and Links Scottstafford.aiScott's LinkedIn profile625 - The Salesforce Partner's AI Dilemma with Sanjeet MahajanBolt.newSuperwhisperPrevious episode: 659 - How This Salesforce Partner Grew to 25 People by Saying No with Dennis KnodtCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins PodcastJoin our newslettera...

    33 min

  7. JAN 12

    659 - How This Salesforce Partner Grew to 25 People by Saying No with Dennis Knodt

    Why you should listen Dennis Knodt grew Valuent from freelancing in 2019 to a 25-person Salesforce consultancy by narrowing focus to one product line (quote-to-cash) and one geography (Germany), offering a blueprint for partners drowning in "we do everything" positioning.Learn how to structure your Salesforce AE relationships so successful projects create internal bragging that generates referrals without you having to ask, including why mid-market and enterprise AEs are more valuable than SMB relationships.Get Dennis's approach to running proof of concepts at full market rate on larger projects, giving clients tangible results before committing to six or nine-month implementations. Trying to grow a Salesforce practice while competing against every other partner who claims they "do it all"? In this episode, I talk with Dennis Knodt, co-founder of Valuent, a Berlin-based consultancy that went from freelancing in 2019 to a 25-person team by making deliberate choices about what to say no to. We dig into why Dennis doubled down on Germany instead of chasing international expansion, and how a setback with Salesforce (when they brought in a competitor) actually led to recruiting the architect who now leads their revenue cloud practice. If you've ever wondered whether focus is really worth the short-term sacrifice, this conversation will challenge how you think about building a defensible position. About Dennis Knodt Dennis Knodt is the Co-Founder of Valuent, a bootstrapped Salesforce consultancy specializing in Quote-to-Cash optimization. After working at Bain and VC-backed startups like Rocket Internet and Enpal, Dennis chose to build a profitable boutique firm focused on deep expertise over growth-at-all-costs. Resources and Links Valuent.ioDennis’s LinkedIn profileLovablePrevious episode: 658 - The Delivery TrapCheck out more episodes of The Paul Higgins PodcastJoin our newsletterSuggested resourcesFind out more about Paul and how he can help you

    35 min

  8. JAN 5

    658 - The Delivery Trap

    Spending 60+ hours a week on client work and wondering why your pipeline is empty? In this episode, I break down why being brilliant at delivery is actually keeping you stuck. You'll learn the four-step framework I use to help consultants escape the delivery trap and start tracking the metric that actually matters: growth hours. If you've built a job instead of a business, this episode shows you how to change that. Resources and Links Apply for a Multiplier CallPrevious episode: 657 - What's Your Resolution?Check out more episodes of the Paul Higgins PodcastSubscribe to our YouTube channel: @PaulHigginsMentoringJoin our newsletterSuggested resources

    4 min
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5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

If you’re a SaaS Consulting Partner earning low to mid six figures—and wearing every hat from sales to delivery—this podcast is your shortcut to scaling smarter. Each week, I talk to successful Partners of Salesforce, Zoho, NetSuite, Monday.com, and HubSpot partners who’ve cracked the code to bigger deals, better systems, and more freedom. No fluff. Just sharp lessons from the field. Subscribe and join 600+ episodes of real, raw, and proven advice for SaaS Consulting Partners ready to scale 7 figures and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Higgins
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Paul Higgins
  • Show Website
    Paul Higgins Podcast