The IGNITE Podcast with Josh Stone

If you've got a poor performer in your team right now and you're still convincing yourself it'll sort itself out - this episode is going to be a wake-up call. Keeping poor performers isn't kind. It's the most damaging thing you can do to your business and your team. In this episode I break down why tolerating underperformance wrecks your culture, why your best people are watching and quietly losing faith, and what you can actually do about it. I also share the story of Richard, a Boardroom member who stopped avoiding the hard conversations with his team - and came out the other side with 37% net profit, a $200K competitive tender won on quality alone despite submitting the highest price, and a conversation with a major local developer about a 160-lot combined project. All because he dealt with what was happening inside the business first. Inside this episode we cover: - Why keeping poor performers isn't kind - it's avoidant - What tolerating underperformance does to your A-players - The practical framework for handling underperformance cleanly and fairly - Why your culture is defined by who you keep, not just who you hire - What Richard did to turn his team around and hit a record profit month If you run an engineering or built environment consultancy and have been sitting on a performance issue - this episode will give you the clarity and the process to deal with it properly. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

I recently joined Scott Banton on The Blueprint Collective podcast to talk about one of the most common things I see holding consultancy owners back - and most of them don't even realise it's happening. In this episode we get into what it actually looks like when a founder or principal becomes the bottleneck in their own business. Not just in design and delivery - but in decision making, client relationships and team confidence. And what it costs you commercially when you can't let go. We cover:- Why smart people stay stuck and keep doing work they should be delegating- The buyback rate and how to use it to work out what's worth your time- Why founders sometimes hire people who aren't as good as them on purpose- How to get your team running systems without you being across everything- What 30% net profit actually takes to achieve- Where AI fits into the engineering and built environment space right now If you recognise yourself in any of this - the suggestion is simple. Do a calendar audit this week. Highlight what's high value, highlight what isn't, and ask yourself honestly who else could do this. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw Don't forget to subscribe so you get notified of future episodes About The Blueprint Collective:Hosted by Scott Bampton, Product Marketing Manager at Total Synergy and former Operations Lead within national architecture firms, The Blueprint Collective is a curated podcast featuring candid Q&A-style conversations with architects, engineers, and creative leaders redefining how we design, deliver, and lead. Filmed online, the series cuts through industry polish to focus on what matters: the ideas and people driving progress. Want to join us on the podcast? Register your interest here - https://totalsynergy.com/blueprint-collective/ About Total Synergy:Built in Australia, Total Synergy is a global software platform purpose-built for the architecture and engineering industry. The all-in-one solution brings together project management, resourcing, budgeting, time tracking, document management, invoicing, and reporting into a single system. Trusted by thousands of A&E professionals across the globe, Total Synergy simplifies complex workflows so teams can spend less time on admin and more time delivering exceptional results.

If you're trying to build out your leadership team and you're still doing everything yourself - this episode is for you. In this episode I break down why most leadership teams just create more meetings without more results, why ambiguous roles lead to slow decisions and finger-pointing, and how to build a leadership team on accountability rather than just tenure or title. I also share the story of Adam, a Boardroom member who promoted two of his team members into dedicated leadership roles and got to work building a clear development plan for each of them from day one - and how that deliberate approach is already showing him the path to stepping back from the day-to-day. Inside this episode we cover: - Why a leadership team without real ownership just creates more noise - How ambiguous responsibility kills momentum and makes you the default decision-maker for everything - Why promoting your best technical person into leadership often backfires - How to build an 18 to 24-month development plan for your leaders - What Adam did to start transitioning out of the day-to-day properly If you run an engineering or built environment consultancy and feel like your leadership team still needs you in the room for every decision, this episode will give you a clear framework to fix that. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

If you have been trying to grow your consultancy for a while and keep hitting the same ceiling, dealing with the same problems, and wondering why nothing is really shifting — this episode is going to give you a very different answer to why. In this episode I break down why businesses don't outgrow their owners, what it actually means to upgrade your identity as a business owner, and the practical shift you need to make to start leading at the level your business actually needs. I also share the story of Jordan, a Boardroom member who 5X'd his revenue in a single year. Not through a new strategy. Through an identity shift. He decided to show up differently, hired the people the business needed, went after better clients, and backed himself — before the results had even shown up. Inside this episode we cover: - Why you can't grow a business beyond the version of you running it - How your identity determines what you say yes to, what you tolerate, and how you spend your time - Why upgrading your identity is a decision, not a destination - How to define what the next version of you actually looks like - What Jordan did to 5X his revenue in twelve months If you run an engineering or built environment consultancy and feel like you keep hitting the same ceiling, this episode will show you exactly where to look first. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

Most consultancy owners know they need higher standards in their business. The problem is they are not sure how to get there without damaging relationships or turning into someone they do not want to be. In this episode I break down exactly how to lift the performance of your team without avoiding hard conversations or tolerating things you know are quietly dragging the business backwards. We cover why what you tolerate becomes your standard, why avoiding hard conversations is costing you far more than you think, and why most performance issues are not people problems at all — they are clarity problems. I also share a great example from Boardroom members Debbie and Patrick, who lifted performance across their business not by being harder on the team, but by getting clearer on expectations and creating space for people to step up and take ownership. Inside this episode we cover: - Why tolerating underperformance sets the standard for your whole business - The real cost of avoiding hard conversations - How to remove emotion from performance management - Why clear expectations lift performance more than pressure does - What Debbie and Patrick did to get their team performing at a higher level If you run an engineering or built environment consultancy and have been putting off a conversation you know you need to have, this episode will give you a clear framework for how to handle it properly. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

If your consultancy has hit a growth plateau recently, this episode is for you. Most engineering and built environment consultancy owners panic when revenue flattens out. They assume something's wrong. But in this episode, I want to completely reframe the way you think about plateau phases. In most cases, they're not a problem. They're a necessary part of building a strong, sustainable consultancy. I break down why strong consultancies grow in cycles rather than straight lines, why the consolidation phase is where the real foundations of a business get built, and how the most successful founders use these periods deliberately, instead of reacting to them emotionally. I also share the story of Meredith, a client inside our Boardroom community who used her plateau phase to build her business playbook, document systems and bring in two student planners and a VA. The result is a consultancy that's structurally stronger and ready for the next wave of growth. Inside this episode we cover: - Why growth happens in cycles, not straight lines- How plateau phases expose operational weaknesses that need to be fixed- The difference between reacting to a plateau and using it deliberately- How to create a mini business plan for your consolidation phase- What strong consultancies focus on when revenue growth slows If you're running an engineering or built environment consultancy and things feel like they've plateaued, this episode will show you exactly how to use that period to set yourself up for the next stage. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

In this episode, I’m joined by Doron Dinor, one of our coaches inside Boardroom, to unpack the five things we see holding most consultancy owners back. After working with more than 150 consulting businesses across engineering and the built environment, the patterns are pretty clear. Many founders are working incredibly hard, but their growth keeps stalling for the same few reasons. Doron and I talk about why so many consultancy owners stay stuck in the technician role instead of stepping fully into the business owner role. We also break down the feast and famine pipeline cycle that leaves many consultancies constantly chasing the next project. We then dive into profit and why margins quietly erode in consulting businesses, along with some simple ways owners can protect and improve them. We also talk about the different phases of business growth and why periods of plateau are often necessary to build the systems and team required for the next stage. Finally, we discuss the power of having a clear plan. Without one, it becomes very easy to fall into decision fatigue and end up reacting to everything instead of intentionally growing the business. If you run a consultancy and feel like growth has slowed or become harder than it should be, this episode will help you see where the real constraints might be. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

Many consultancy owners believe they have a pricing problem. But most of the time, the real issue isn’t the market, the client, or the fee structure. It’s confidence. In this episode, I unpack why so many engineering and built environment consultancy owners hesitate when it comes to pricing their work. We talk about the subtle ways uncertainty shows up during client conversations and how that can lead to unnecessary fee pressure, discounting, and difficult negotiations. I also share a coaching example from one of our clients that shows how quickly the dynamic with clients can change when you stay calm, clear, and confident in the value you bring. When you stop second guessing yourself and lead the conversation properly, clients often stop pushing back altogether. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable discussing fees, struggled with clients negotiating your proposals, or wondered whether you’re charging what your work is truly worth, this episode will give you a different way to think about the problem. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

Founder-led business development works early — but if it stays that way, it quietly caps your revenue and keeps your consultancy dependent on you. In this episode, I break down why founder-led BD eventually creates fragility in your pipeline, how it traps you in the wrong work, and what ownership should look like as your business grows. I explain why sustainable growth comes from building capability beyond the founder, how to distribute BD responsibility across your team, and what structure is required at each stage of business. I also share a real client example showing how introducing simple BD support created consistency, removed mental load, and turned business development into a proper function — not something reliant on memory and energy. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

Most consultancy owners think they’re delegating, but behind the scenes, everything still runs through them. In this episode, I break down why handing off tasks without handing over decisions keeps you busy, overwhelmed, and stuck, even with a capable team around you. I explain why phrases like “just check with me before it goes out” quietly turn you into the bottleneck, how owners unintentionally train their teams to wait instead of think, and what real delegation actually looks like if you want time back without standards slipping. I also share a real client example that shows how transferring ownership, authority, and decision-making (not just tasks) is what finally frees founders up and allows the business to move forward without them behind every decision. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now - whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond - and build a business you can genuinely be proud of // https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

Most consultancy owners don’t have a workload problem — they have a client quality problem. In this episode, I break down why chasing more clients often leads to more stress, lower margins, and less control — and why upgrading the quality of your clients is one of the fastest ways to improve profit, clarity, and momentum. I explain how low-value clients quietly drain time, energy, and emotional bandwidth, how to objectively rank your clients from A-grade to D-grade, and how to let go of the wrong work without panicking or stalling growth. I also share a real client example that shows why 80% of revenue often comes from just 20% of clients — and how intentionally creating space allows better, more profitable work to show up faster than expected. 👉 Check out our $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap Training. It’s a step-by-step guide to help you move from wherever you are now — whether that’s $1M, $3M, $5M or $10M and beyond — and build a business you can genuinely be proud of - https://youtu.be/qhusAlo3msw?si=JHK1JjXMMgJO08Hw

Engineers didn’t lose respect overnight — it happened one “yes” at a time. In this episode, I explain how the engineering & built environment profession gradually became commoditised, dropping fees & profit margins — while doctors protected their value — and what you need to do to stop being discounted, rushed, and disrespected. I share a real client example of saying no, holding standards, and attracting higher-quality opportunities. 👉 Check out the The $10M+ Consultancy Roadmap (Step-by-Step to $1M, $3M, $5M, $10M & Beyond) to grow a profitable consultancy without burning out >> Click here to watch

Businesses don’t fall apart from delivery. They fall apart at the top.    I’ve coached hundreds of consultancy owners.  I’ve sat on real boards.  I’ve scaled from $3M → $30M with 20 shareholders.  And I’ve seen how fast a business can fracture when governance isn’t set up properly.    This week’s episode is the conversation most founders avoid — until they can’t.    Inside, I’ll show you:    Why founders lose control without even realising it  (and how to make sure it never happens to you).    Why minority shareholders disengage silently  (and what this does to culture and momentum).    Why “everyone gets a say” sounds fair  but destroys speed.    And why the wrong voting structure traps good businesses in endless friction.    Then I show you the model that fixes it.    The exact two voting frameworks that work.  When to use each.  How to keep the business fast, aligned, and conflict-free.  And how to write it properly into your shareholders’ deed.    This is real-world, in-the-trenches consultancy leadership.    If you’re serious about scaling…  If you care about alignment…  If you want a business that grows past $10M and actually stays healthy…  Listen to this episode — especially if you’ve introduced (or are planning to introduce) new shareholders into the business.      PS: If you’re interested, here are 4 ways I can help you right now:     Grab a copy of my new book | Profitable Engineering Consultant | 9 strategies to grow with confidence, get your time back & consistently hit 30% plus net profit margins – Click Here     Subscribe to our podcast | Learn how to run a more profitable consultancy and grow successfully – no fluff, just actionable and practical advice from someone who grew a consultancy to $30M and exited successfully – Watch Here or Listen Here + make sure you subscribe!     3. Download our free Business Plan template | Map out your Business Plan & grow your consultancy with confidence – Click Here to download now    4. Book a 20-minute Business Audit Call | We’ll do a full review & audit of your business, uncover the #1 bottleneck that's holding you back right now & develop a 3-step action plan together for how you can get results faster. You'll leave this call with a clear and actionable plan for what to do next in your business – Book Here