Projectworks Blog

Read the latest and greatest from Projectworks. We post regularly on a range of topics, from tips on how to best run and optimise your services business, to the latest features and updates about our product.

Managing your project budget
Consulting Basics
Project Management
,
Risk

Managing your project budget

Effective management of project expenses is crucial for staying on budget and ensuring financial success.

On time, every time: How to stop late timesheets with timesheet reminders
Industry Advice
Time Tracking
,
Product Update

On time, every time: How to stop late timesheets with timesheet reminders

On time, every time: How to stop late timesheets with timesheet reminders

A new GM-structured model gave us the scale we sought
The Consulting Balance
Revenue
,
Strategy

A new GM-structured model gave us the scale we sought

A new GM-structured model gave us the scale we sought

The 5 most common project management methodologies: pros & cons
Industry Advice
Project Management
,
Professional Services 101

The 5 most common project management methodologies: pros & cons

The 5 most common project management methodologies: pros & cons

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What is scope creep, and why are project managers so scared of it?
Industry Advice
Risk
,
Project Management

What is scope creep, and why are project managers so scared of it?

Learn how to stop scope creep from derailing your project’s timeline.

What is the Project Management Institute (PMI)?
Industry Advice
Project Management
,
Professional Services 101

What is the Project Management Institute (PMI)?

Today, we explore the PMI's history, courses, and whether the ROI is worth it for your business.

Top consulting firms in the USA
Industry Advice
Professional Services 101
,
Revenue

Top consulting firms in the USA

Discover which North American consulting firm brings in the most revenue.

What is the earned value (EV) method?
Industry Advice
Project Management
,
Risk

What is the earned value (EV) method?

Unlock deeper project insights with the earned value (EV) method.

What is days sales outstanding (DSO) and how can you manage it?
Industry Advice
Revenue
,
Project Management

What is days sales outstanding (DSO) and how can you manage it?

In this quick read, we’ll introduce you to Days Sales Outstanding (DSO).

Consulting in transformation: A 20-year journey through the client’s eyes
The Consulting Balance
Client Relationships
,
Strategy

Consulting in transformation: A 20-year journey through the client’s eyes

Mark introduces his former client, Ben Krefting, who shares his experiences with consulting.

Steps for conducting a social impact assessment
Industry Advice
Social Responsibility
,
Project Management

Steps for conducting a social impact assessment

Key steps for conducting a social impact assessment to evaluate and manage your project's effects on communities.

5 common pitfalls in project contingency planning
Industry Advice
Risk
,
Project Management

5 common pitfalls in project contingency planning

In our latest article, we help you navigate risks and steer clear of costly surprises.

Professional services contracts explained
Industry Advice
Sales
,
Client Relationships

Professional services contracts explained

Your roadmap to delivering services with confidence and clarity.

Hiring the right hands lifted our weakest region
The Consulting Balance
Strategy
,
Hiring

Hiring the right hands lifted our weakest region

Mark and Allen share how they transformed Nexient's weakest region into its fastest-growing in just one year.

The year our hard work started working
The Consulting Balance
Strategy
,
Revenue

The year our hard work started working

After years of hard work and perseverance, real financial growth finally began to take shape.

A year goes quickly when hosting an annual event
The Consulting Balance
Events
,
Client Relationships

A year goes quickly when hosting an annual event

Mark shares the surprising year-round effort of hosting an annual event.

The art of adult-to-adult conversation
The Consulting Balance
Communications
,
Strategy

The art of adult-to-adult conversation

Dan Broekhuizen joins Mark to share how they helped their organization communicate like grown-ups.

Our first gamble on hiring great talent
The Consulting Balance
Hiring
,
Communications

Our first gamble on hiring great talent

Mark shares how employing a senior member they couldn’t actually afford, was the right thing to do.

Managing clients on Salesforce: a consultant's guide
PSA Software
Client Relationships
,
Sales

Managing clients on Salesforce: a consultant's guide

A guide to the essentials of Salesforce to help consultants maximize the software's potential.

When you’re about to lose a client, sell them more work
The Consulting Balance
Strategy
,
Client Relationships

When you’re about to lose a client, sell them more work

Mark shares how agreeing to a new client’s requirements, meant delivering a substandard service.

58 consultant interview questions
Industry Advice
Hiring
,
Communications

58 consultant interview questions

Looking to hire the right consultants? Use our list of 58 consulting interview questions.

How to host a winning corporate event
The Consulting Balance
Events
,
Client Relationships

How to host a winning corporate event

Mark reveals how he successfully organized a two-day corporate event for multiple clients.

Every good story needs a villain
The Consulting Balance
Marketing
,
Communications

Every good story needs a villain

Craft a unique identity for your consulting practice by highlighting what sets it apart from the competition.

How we started a consulting business from the ground up
The Consulting Balance
Strategy
,
Professional Services 101

How we started a consulting business from the ground up

Mark and his colleague share how they transformed Nexient into a consultancy, offering tips for future firm founders.

The science of setting compensation plans
The Consulting Balance
Strategy
,
Sales

The science of setting compensation plans

Mark shares an experience when he reworked the field team’s comp plan and ensured better teamwork.

A beginners guide to attending Xerocon Nashville
Partner Program
Accounting
,
Events

A beginners guide to attending Xerocon Nashville

Get all our pre, during, and post tips for attending Xerocon Nashville 2024.

The threat of staff layoffs, and getting yelled at by the board
The Consulting Balance
Strategy
,
Risk

The threat of staff layoffs, and getting yelled at by the board

Mark shares a 2017 experience when he had to plead his case to keep his job and those of many others.

When all PR, really is good PR
The Consulting Balance
Marketing
,
Communications

When all PR, really is good PR

Mark reflects on the thrill of making the NYT front page, even if the headline image wasn’t what he expected.

Taking Silicon Valley to Napa Valley, and other ways to host clients
The Consulting Balance
Client Relationships
,
Events

Taking Silicon Valley to Napa Valley, and other ways to host clients

CEO Mark Orttung shares his experience taking a top client to Napa Valley and hosting them in a hospital basement.

What I learned at Xerocon London 2024
Partner Program
Accounting
,
Client Relationships

What I learned at Xerocon London 2024

Xero pulled out all the stops from impressive product updates to glam rock heaven.

Finding people who can do, sell and build senior client relationships
The Consulting Balance
Hiring
,
Sales

Finding people who can do, sell and build senior client relationships

Discover how to find the right talent, driving success for your consulting practice.

The 3 biggest challenges engineering firms face and how to overcome them
Industry Advice
Engineering
,
Strategy

The 3 biggest challenges engineering firms face and how to overcome them

Overcome the unique challenges that can hinder engineering growth and efficiency.

Risk management for software implementation
PSA Software
Risk
,
Project Management

Risk management for software implementation

Risk management is key for implementing new software on time and within budget.

Losing a large client – it wasn’t our fault until it was
The Consulting Balance
Client Relationships
,
Communications

Losing a large client – it wasn’t our fault until it was

Mark shares an experience when a project failed due to client issues, but he paid for it.

50 consulting quotes for your next slide deck
Industry Advice
Client Relationships
,
Communications

50 consulting quotes for your next slide deck

Add a touch of creativity and inspiration to elevate your slide deck.

Staying relevant – a wake up call from an advisor
Industry Advice
Strategy
,
Client Relationships

Staying relevant – a wake up call from an advisor

Mark recalls when he received a wake-up call from a startup and business mentor.

Differentiating the company – what exactly do we do?
The Consulting Balance
Marketing
,
Strategy

Differentiating the company – what exactly do we do?

Mark shares his experience with differentiating the newly named consulting firm, Nexient.

7 tips for growing your professional services firm
Industry Advice
Growth
,
Professional Services 101

7 tips for growing your professional services firm

Unlock the secrets to growing your professional service firm.

Rebranding the company - a fight with the Patent and Trademark Office
The Consulting Balance
Marketing
,
Communications

Rebranding the company - a fight with the Patent and Trademark Office

When an internal debate about a company name triggered a legal situation.

Balancing revenue and talent – the hardest problem in services
The Consulting Balance
Hiring
,
Revenue

Balancing revenue and talent – the hardest problem in services

Hear how two conflicting objectives would challenge Mark for the next seven years.

G2 awards spring 2024
Company News
Client Relationships
,
Growth

G2 awards spring 2024

We are proud to announce that Projectworks has received several new G2 awards!

2024: the big 4’s revenue: advisory is the new audit
Industry Advice
Revenue
,
Benchmarks

2024: the big 4’s revenue: advisory is the new audit

Discover which of the Big Four firms leads the pack in generating revenue.

The best management consulting clubs
Industry Advice
Project Management
,
Events

The best management consulting clubs

A definitive guide to the world's top management consulting clubs.

Building a culture of excellence: empowering your team through leadership
Industry Advice
Communications
,
Growth

Building a culture of excellence: empowering your team through leadership

Create a thriving team through empowerment, community building, and performance.

Navigating the future of the consulting industry
Industry Advice
Growth
,
Social Responsibility

Navigating the future of the consulting industry

Explore strategies to help navigate the future of consulting, ensuring your firm is ready for what’s ahead.

11 soft skills for accountants
Partner Program
Accounting
,
Communications

11 soft skills for accountants

How improving your soft skills can transform your accounting practice.

Introducing Mark Orttung: Projectworks' new CEO
Company News
Growth
,
Strategy

Introducing Mark Orttung: Projectworks' new CEO

We’re delighted to share that Mark Orttung is joining Projectworks as our new CEO.

Embracing change: making the shift from CEO to Chief Product Officer & President
Company News
Growth
,
Strategy

Embracing change: making the shift from CEO to Chief Product Officer & President

Matt shares his next move as a new chapter unfolds for the Projectworks team.

The Top 10 Professional Services Firms (Revenue + Margins)
Industry Advice
Benchmarks
,
Revenue

The Top 10 Professional Services Firms (Revenue + Margins)

These top 10 professional services businesses symbolize the pinnacle of global success.

What are professional services? (examples + key statistics)
Industry Advice
Professional Services 101
,
Benchmarks

What are professional services? (examples + key statistics)

What kinds of businesses are professional services firms? Find out here.

25 ways to build and retain trust with your clients
Industry Advice
Client Relationships
,
Communications

25 ways to build and retain trust with your clients

Trust is developed through hundreds of small actions. Learn 25 ways to help build it.

Mastering year-round profitability at your consultancy firm
Industry Advice
Revenue
,
Sales

Mastering year-round profitability at your consultancy firm

The feast or famine cycle is one of the biggest challenges consultants face.

How to calculate your utilization rate
Industry Advice
Professional Services 101
,
Client Relationships

How to calculate your utilization rate

Measure your team's productivity by learning to calculate your project's utilization rate.

How to calculate your margin
Industry Advice
Professional Services 101
,
Revenue

How to calculate your margin

Interested in how to calculate your margin? We’ve got you covered.

5 metrics every successful professional services firm uses to remain profitable
Industry Advice
Benchmarks
,
Revenue

5 metrics every successful professional services firm uses to remain profitable

The essential metrics that set apart and drive the success of thriving professional services firms from those that struggle to keep up in a competitive market.

Professional services business models and benchmarks
Industry Advice
Benchmarks
,
Professional Services 101

Professional services business models and benchmarks

Curious how your firm stacks up against the competition? This article is for you. Diving deep into what you should be measuring, and what the benchmarks are, you’ll leave this article with a fresh new approach to the way you run your business.

Change management guide for new software
PSA Software
Change Management
,
Communications

Change management guide for new software

In a 2016 KPMG Global Transformation study, 96% of organizations reported they were currently undergoing business transformations.

Leading through growth
Industry Advice
Communications
,
Growth

Leading through growth

Projectworks' new Head of Marketing Jacob Lawrie has built his career in high-growth organizations. Now he brings his leadership advice to our latest blog post.

Guide to PSA software
PSA Software
Professional Services 101
,
Project Management

Guide to PSA software

PSA software is quickly transforming consulting firms around the globe. Read this article for a summary of what it is, who it’s for, and how it works.

Top 10 workforce management software options for consultancies
PSA Software
Project Management
,
Resourcing

Top 10 workforce management software options for consultancies

Workforce management is all about managing, regulating, and distributing your team across projects.

11 powerful alternatives to WorkflowMax
PSA Software
Project Management
,
Strategy

11 powerful alternatives to WorkflowMax

Developed by a small team in New Zealand, WorkflowMax was revolutionary when it first emerged on the scene in 2007.

Azure DevOps time tracking with Projectworks
PSA Software
Software Development
,
Time Tracking

Azure DevOps time tracking with Projectworks

Azure DevOps is a Microsoft platform designed specifically to help design, build, test, and deploy software.

A complete guide to consultancy time tracking
PSA Software
Time Tracking
,
Professional Services 101

A complete guide to consultancy time tracking

Discover simple tips for your consulting firm that can help you increase timesheet accuracy and efficiency.

How to give effective performance feedback to your consulting team
Industry Advice
Communications
,
Strategy

How to give effective performance feedback to your consulting team

Effective performance reviews are a critical component of any successful consulting team.

Capacity planning for large teams
Industry Advice
Resourcing
,
Project Management

Capacity planning for large teams

At services firms of any size, the efficiency of your team has a huge influence on your profitability.

Top 10 resource management tools for software firms
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Software Development

Top 10 resource management tools for software firms

In this article, we focus on resource management tools specifically designed to assist software consultants.

8 ways to avoid resource overallocation
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Project Management

8 ways to avoid resource overallocation

Struggling with resource allocation? This guide shares 8 tactics to optimize resourcing and avoid overburdening your team.

Resource planning strategies for large projects
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Project Management

Resource planning strategies for large projects

Large projects can add another level of complexity to a project manager's workload and create the need for better resource-planning strategies.

Top 10 professional service automation tools
PSA Software
Professional Services 101
,
Strategy

Top 10 professional service automation tools

PSA solutions enable professional services organizations to manage their consultants and project delivery.

Top 6 capacity management challenges for consultancies
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Project Management

Top 6 capacity management challenges for consultancies

Running a streamlined consultancy can be challenging due to fluctuating client work and projects.

Top 10 resource management tools for engineering teams
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Engineering

Top 10 resource management tools for engineering teams

Resource management tools equip engineering teams with the power to succeed.

Top 10 resource management tools for consultancies
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Project Management

Top 10 resource management tools for consultancies

How to allocate resources at consultancy firms and examples of the best resource management software available.

12 ways to improve profitability with resource management
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Revenue

12 ways to improve profitability with resource management

To successfully navigate choppy economic waters, companies must leverage their most vital resource - their people.

Time tracking software for developers
PSA Software
Time Tracking
,
Software Development

Time tracking software for developers

Developer time tracking software is a critical for software teams providing their services to clients.

Top 10 architecture project management software options
PSA Software
Architecture
,
Project Management

Top 10 architecture project management software options

Build a better architectural firm with project management software for architects.

Xero project management software integration
PSA Software
Accounting
,
Project Management

Xero project management software integration

This guide shows how integrating Projectworks with Xero can help you manage jobs, track time, and keep your financials in sync.

6 strategies for resource utilization and team productivity
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Strategy

6 strategies for resource utilization and team productivity

There is an art to getting the best out of your team. An organization that can nail its resource management has a crucial competitive advantage in the market.

8 tips to prevent revenue leakage for professional service firms
Industry Advice
Revenue
,
Professional Services 101

8 tips to prevent revenue leakage for professional service firms

Preventing revenue leakage is crucial for your firm’s success. This guide offers 8 tips to keep your billing efficient and your profits secure.

Handling unscheduled leave in project management
Industry Advice
Project Management
,
Resourcing

Handling unscheduled leave in project management

Unplanned leave can throw off project timelines and impact your business. This guide shows how to handle it effectively, so your team stays on track and clients stay happy.

Time tracking best practices for consulting firms
Industry Advice
Time Tracking
,
Project Management

Time tracking best practices for consulting firms

Modern professional service businesses often need to manage a hybrid workforce. Whether your team members are working on-site, at home, or away at meetings, a reliable time-tracking app makes billing hours and attributing time to clients easy.

How to allocate resources to a project
PSA Software
Resourcing
,
Project Management

How to allocate resources to a project

This guide explores the common challenges of resource allocation and offers practical tips to help you plan better, avoid bottlenecks, and keep your projects on track.

Improve profitability with better client engagements
Industry Advice
Client Relationships
,
Revenue

Improve profitability with better client engagements

This guide covers practical tips to help you manage your resources and strengthen client relationships for better results.

Hiring and retaining awesome people with Humankind
Industry Advice
Communications
,
Hiring

Hiring and retaining awesome people with Humankind

Learn from experts Kalyn Ponti (KP) and Charlie Hughes from Humankind about retaining and attracting awesome people for your company.

Time tracking for engineering firms
PSA Software
Engineering
,
Time Tracking

Time tracking for engineering firms

Engineering projects can be challenging to manage, especially when it comes to tracking time and resources.

How to calculate burn rate
Industry Advice
Revenue
,
Professional Services 101

How to calculate burn rate

To keep your projects profitable, it's important to measure burn, a key financial metric for professional services.

AI and accounting: preparing for the future
Partner Program
Accounting
,
Change Management

AI and accounting: preparing for the future

Today, we explore the exciting opportunities and challenges AI brings to the accounting profession. We’ll also highlight the logical next steps accountants can take to thrive in this evolving landscape and build deeper, more meaningful connections with their clients.

How to create a mission statement your people will follow
The Consulting Balance
Marketing
,
Communications

How to create a mission statement your people will follow

Mark shares how his team listened to corporate strategy by creating a mission statement that meant something.

How to transition from accountant to advisor
Partner Program
Accounting
,
Strategy

How to transition from accountant to advisor

As the accounting industry evolves, many professionals are shifting from traditional tasks to offering strategic advice and insights.

By services, for services: Introducing Projectworks’ fresh new look
Company News
Communications
,
Strategy

By services, for services: Introducing Projectworks’ fresh new look

Over the last few weeks, we’ve begun rolling out an exciting new look for Projectworks, and we’re incredibly proud to share it with you.

Growing together: Announcing our USD$5 million capital raise
Company News
Growth
,
Strategy

Growing together: Announcing our USD$5 million capital raise

Big things are happening at Projectworks. Exciting milestones, new leadership, and a fresh chapter ahead.

How to grow your business using the “Three Arc” model
The Consulting Balance
Growth
,
Marketing

How to grow your business using the “Three Arc” model

Mark and Allen share how they used a simple concept to reinvent Nexient for even greater success.

How to deliver a winning pitch
The Consulting Balance
Communications
,
Strategy

How to deliver a winning pitch

Mark shares how he kicked off a new business pitch with honesty, authenticity and a measure of wit.