Latest Materials
Catch our latest materials on leadership this September!
NEW!
From Nothing to Something:
Lessons Beyond the MBA Classroom
NEW!
From Supplier to Trusted Advisor:
Walking the Client Journey Together
NEW!
SEPTEMBER 2025
Framing the Issue
GRIT
From Nothing to Something:
Lessons Beyond the MBA Classroom
By Kate Liu-Bevan | September 2025 | 512 words | 3 MIN READ
In 2019, I was traveling through Africa for client work when I met a fellow traveller whose story has stayed with me ever since.
He had arrived in the United States in the 1980s as a refugee from an Asian country, along with his wife and one-year-old son. They had almost nothing—no English, no connections, barely any money. Yet they refused to rely on government support. His wife ran a tiny sewing shop out of their cramped condo, while he washed dishes in restaurants.
Over time, they saved every penny and bought their first small condo. They renovated it themselves and gradually learned everything—from managing finances to understanding trades and handling contractors. Today, he runs a property business worth hundreds of millions of dollars…
ELEVATE
From Supplier to Trusted Advisor:
Walking the Client Journey Together
By Kate Liu-Bevan | September 2025 | 540 words | 3 MIN READ
Once upon a time, I was with a prospective client for what was supposed to be the final sign-off for a project we had been pitching. I sensed they had concerns. Something in the room felt uneasy. Yet instead of pausing to ask the personal question — “I can see you have some concerns. Let’s step back, and I’d love to hear what’s on your mind and what I can do to build confidence” — I pressed on with content and process, hoping that would reassure them.
We didn’t win the engagement.
It never feels good to lose. But in hindsight, the loss was a gift. It forced me to reflect on my approach. Client interactions aren’t confined to content, process, or technical expertise. They extend into strategic priorities, organisational dynamics, and at times the deeply personal — trust, confidence, and connection. And that’s where the real shift happens: elevating from the role of consultant or supplier, and stepping into the role of a trusted advisor…
