Overview

Professional Services firms can be distinguished from other companies across several dimensions:

Business is based on individual projects and clients Revenue is generated by selling time and/or knowledge People in management positions often are skilled professionals who may have had little, if any, management training.

The ownership structure often involves many partners or principals who need to be in agreement with any decisions that have broad implications for the firm.

Together these elements present some signifcant challenges in running successful firms, managing people, making appropriate organizational changes and planning for the future. In addition, firm level decision-making often requires substantial skills in consensus building.

Sample Professional Service Firm Clients:

Abt Associates (Cambridge, MA & global)

KW Tunnell (PA)

Law firms (various regions, names withheld by request)

n-Link (Pacific Northwest)

Parametrix (Pacific Northwest)

Psomas (Los Angeles & West /Southwest)

TVS (Atlanta)

Walter P. Moore (Houston & Southeast)

Wilson & Company (New Mexico & Southwest / Central)