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About The Consultant's Way Podcast

The Consultant's Way podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of the consulting and professional services world. We bring you insightful conversations with industry thought leaders and executives from top Professional Services organizations, sharing their expertise on how to:

 • Build high-performing consulting and professional services teams 

• Differentiate your offerings and increase organizational growth 

• Deliver exceptional client value and drive impactful outcomes

 Brought to you by: 

• McMann & Ransford: A strategy consulting firm with over 30 years of experience helping leading B2B organizations escape commoditization and achieve sustainable growth. Learn more: https://mcmannransford.com/ 

• The Consultant's Way: Your one-stop shop for training and enabling consultants and professional services teams to deliver exceptional client value. Learn more: https://www.consultantsway.com/ 

 Connect with us: 

• LinkedIn: 

○ Dean McMann - https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmcmann/

○ Anthony Paluska - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-paluska-5081804b

• Email: podcast@consultantsway.com 

 Interested in being a guest? 

We're always looking for insightful guests to share their expertise. Reach out to us via email or LinkedIn if you'd like to be considered for a future episode.

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In this episode, Blake Jensen, Senior Director of Professional Services at SOCi, joins us to unpack the tension between AI hype and real-world application in professional services.

While AI dominates headlines and boardroom agendas, Blake argues most teams are not behind—they are simply sorting signal from noise. He shares how his team approaches AI adoption with discipline, focusing on use cases that genuinely improve client delivery and internal workflows. From automating kickoff prep to evaluating tools with an eye on data integrity, Blake offers a grounded look at what’s working and what is not.

The conversation explores the limits of AI in consulting, where the true value still lies in emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and human connection. Blake is optimistic about the future but clear that consultants will need to evolve. As information becomes more accessible, it will be how people think, connect, and lead that drives differentiation.

We also step back to look at broader shifts in SaaS and PS models. Blake, Dean, and Anthony discuss how evolving expectations, changing client relationships, and AI-fueled disruption are reshaping what it means to deliver value.

This episode offers honest insight, practical takeaways, and a few good laughs. Whether you are experimenting with AI or trying to define your PS team’s next chapter, there is something here for you.