Running a profitable, project-based agency or consultancy in today’s economy is an ongoing balancing act, and a challenging one at that. Do you sacrifice customization and differentiation for scale, or do you grind through bespoke work with razor-thin margins? Fortunately, in 2025, automation and productization offer a middle ground – one that can drive profitability without stripping away the uniqueness that sets your business apart.
In our latest live webinar, industry experts including Accelo’s own, Chief Strategy Officer, Joe DiPaulo, Brian Kessman (Founder & Principal Consultant, Lodestar Advisory Partners), and Melissa Morris (Founder, Agency Authority) tackled the nuances of automation and productization in professional services.
Watch the full discussion below:
What You’ll Learn:
- The Difference Between Productizing Your Value vs. Productizing Your Services
Many assume productization means turning services into cookie-cutter offerings. But true productization lies in repeatable frameworks tailored to client needs, allowing for both efficiency and customization. - How to Transform Your Tech Stack into a Business Operating System
Instead of managing a tangled web of disconnected tools, aligning technology into a cohesive, data-driven system enables smoother operations and better decision-making.
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- The Role of AI and Automation in Pricing & Value-Based Billing
For years, professionals have debated billing based on value versus time. AI is forcing a shift in perspective – automation reduces manual hours, meaning businesses must redefine how they price services. If you’re saving time with automation, are you also charging for the transformation you deliver? - The People Factor: Managing Change and Reinforcing New Processes
Even the best systems fail without buy-in. Leaders must communicate the ‘why’ behind automation and productization, ensuring teams see the benefits. Piloting new processes, training reinforcement, and gathering open feedback are critical to success. - Balancing Efficiency with Creativity: Will Automation Kill Innovation?
A common fear among creative agencies is that automation and standardization stifle originality. However, as discussed in the webinar, structured frameworks can actually enhance creativity by providing a foundation for innovative thinking.
A New Era of Profitability for Professional Services
The days of choosing between personalized, low-profit work and standardized services are behind us. The future of profitability lies in striking the right balance – leveraging automation to streamline operations while ensuring your services remain impactful and differentiated.
Want to take your firm to the next level? Book a demo today to learn how Accelo can become your operating system for profitable growth, without losing what makes your business unique.
Author Bio
Megan Mathewson
Accelo's blog posts are brought to you by a team of experienced subject matter experts. With a deep understanding of client and sales management, resource planning, and project efficiency, we aim to share our knowledge and practical insights to help you navigate the complexities of operating a service based business.
Our goal is to provide you with expert-driven content, up-to-date information, and actionable advice on Professional Services Automation, designed to help your business succeed.
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