In Episode 316 of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love speaks with executive coach and business strategist Ivy Slater about how professional services firms can create high-impact strategic plans that drive real growth. Ivy breaks down the structure of an effective strategic planning retreat, including who should attend, how to facilitate productive conversations, and why firms must think beyond short-term goals to create a long-term vision. She introduces her expanded “SWOTT” framework—strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and trends—and explains how leadership teams can use it to align finance, marketing, business development, and people strategy into one unified growth plan. The conversation also explores common strategic planning mistakes that derail firms, including lack of accountability, reactive leadership, and leadership teams getting trapped “in the weeds” of day-to-day administration instead of focusing on growth. Ivy shares practical guidance on implementation, quarterly accountability meetings, leadership cadence, and why numbers tell the real story of a firm’s future. For managing partners, law firm leaders, consultants, and professional services executives, this episode delivers a practical roadmap for strategic planning, leadership alignment, operational clarity, and sustainable firm growth. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/RRrc4EsMSvM ---------------------------------------- 📖 Subscribe to The Rainmaking Magazine If you’re serious about growing your book of business, you’ll want to check out The Rainmaking Magazine — a monthly digital publication packed with insights, strategies, and real-world advice for professionals in law, consulting, recruiting, and beyond. 💡 Created for results-driven rainmakers who value credibility and substance. 💥 Now live — subscribe today www.therainmakingmagazine.com/info ---------------------------------------- This show is sponsored by Leopard Solutions Legal Intelligence Suite of products, Firmscape, and Leopard BI. Push ahead of the pack with the power of Leopard. For a free demo, visit this link: https://www.leopardsolutions.com/index.php/request-a-demo/ ---------------------------------------- Ivy Slater is the CEO of Slater Success, a consulting, coaching, and training company that helps professionals and business owners and their teams develop and implement strategic growth plans, scale with purpose, and build succession strategies for long-term legacy. A former printing company owner, Ivy brings decades of entrepreneurial and leadership experience to her work. She is the author of her third and latest book, BEST OF THE BEST: Lead Boldly, Scale Rapidly, Create Your Legacy. Ivy is a TEDx speaker and a sought-after voice on stages across the country. She hosts the weekly podcast Her Success Story, where she interviews bold and dynamic leaders. Her insights have been featured on ABC, CBS, and in publications including Ladders, Authority Magazine, and Real Simple. Links: https://slatersuccess.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivyslater/ The Law Firm Leadership Lab, May 14-15, New York City https://surepoint.com/managing-partner-lab/ The Law Firm Leadership Lab is a collaborative two‑day, in‑person workshop designed exclusively for managing partners and executive directors. This is a working session built to help senior firm leaders step away from daily demands and focus on the issues that most directly influence firm performance. Across two days, participants engage in expert‑led discussions, peer collaboration, and practical workshops that translate industry insight into firm‑specific plans. The MPL brings together nationally recognized thought leaders in law‑firm economics, talent strategy, technology, and client expectations—along with facilitated opportunities to connect with peers facing similar challenges. Why Attend Mid‑sized firms are navigating unprecedented pressure: evolving talent dynamics, tightening margins, rapid technology disruption, and rising client expectations. Leaders need time and space to make sense of what’s changing—and determine what to do next. Rain Dance by LSSO, June 3-4, Chicago https://legalsales.org/lsso-raindance-conference-2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
