I’m Heather Townsend, author of Poised for Partnership and co-author of How to Make Partner & Still Have a Life. I’m the leading global expert in what it takes to move from senior fee earner to partner . I created the How to Make Partner website and Progress to Partner Academy to help lawyers, accountants and consultants like you to realise that you need stop waiting patiently to get noticed, take control of your own career progression to get noticed as “one to watch” for partner-track and beyond in your firm.
Present yourself as the future partner they can’t afford to overlook. Click here and I’ll send you my FREE guide to creating a cast-iron business case for partner.
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5 mistakes great candidates make on the way to partnership
You’ve spent years building your career. Strong financials, great client relationships, partners telling you you’re on track. You’re in touching distance of partnership – maybe 3 months away, maybe 15 months away. This should be the exciting final stretch. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: this is exactly when some of the best candidates accidentally derail themselves….
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The “Peace of Mind” Test: Do your partners think you are ready for partnership
Do you ever wonder why partners seem hesitant about your progression despite your strong performance? Here’s the truth: it’s not about your technical ability or billable hours. It’s about something partners call the “peace of mind test” – would they sleep soundly knowing you’re handling their top client while they’re on holiday, or would they…
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Stop waiting to build your network of introducers
Are you waiting until you make partner to start building your referral network? Do you struggle to get referrals from your contacts because they don’t really understand what you do? If you’re wondering when the right time is to start nurturing relationships that could send work your way, this episode of the How to Make…
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Don’t make this mistake – here’s how to build the right relationships
You can work 60-hour weeks, say yes to every request, and still get overlooked for promotion. Why? Because it’s not about pleasing everyone, it’s about building strong relationships with the right people. In this episode of the How to Make Partner Podcast, Heather Townsend explains why political savvy means going deep with 10–15 influential partners,…
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How to have the account management call without feeling like you are being an order taker for the client
Do your client ‘account management’ calls feel more like taking orders than giving valuable advice? In this episode, I explain how to change these conversations so you feel like a valued professional and trusted advisor not just another pair of hands. This problem often happens when we let the client dictate the entire relationship, slowly…
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What to do before you write a proposal to increase the chances of the client saying yes
Do you spend hours writing the perfect proposal, only to be ghosted by the prospect? In this episode, I explain why the problem isn’t your proposal, but what you did before you ever started writing it. Too many of us treat a proposal like a sales brochure, but the sale should be made long before…
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How to generate more work from your network whilst doing less networking
Here’s how to go from coffees to instructions whilst spending less time ‘networking’ and more time winning work. Do you ever feel like your networking is like “chucking jelly at a wall and hoping some of it will stick?”. It’s a common feeling; you’re busy with coffees and events, but it’s not translating into meaningful…
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What to do when a client pushes back on fees for out-of-scope work
What do you do when a client pushes back on fees for out of scope work that they have asked for? In this episode, I show you how to handle that awkward conversation without damaging the relationship. Or getting into trouble with your partners for writing off or discounting the extra fee due. It’s a…
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How to become a recognised expert in your field
This is what I have done over the years to become a recognised expert in helping people make partner, and when they get there, stay there. Do you want to become a recognised expert in your field? For clients and work to come to you based on your known expertise? In this episode, I’m sharing…
