Episode Details
November 5, 2025
27 minutes
Why Consultancy Fails: The three non-negotiable requirements for a successful engagement - values alignment, total commitment, and a co-creation mindset.
Documentation as a Profit Center: How clear process maps and playbooks directly combat the "soft costs" of chaos, errors, and wasted time, delivering measurable ROI.
The "Process Champion": The critical role of an internal owner for maintaining and updating systems to prevent backsliding into old, inefficient habits.
AI as the Ultimate Intern: Leveraging artificial intelligence to draft, update, and manage documentation, freeing human capital for strategic implementation and relationship-building.
Building a Business That Doesn't Need You: Moving from being the chief problem-solver to the architect of a self-sustaining operational system.
Featured Quotes
"Process documentation isn't about creating bureaucracy; it's about bottling your brilliance so your team can execute it consistently without you."
Adi Klevit
"A consultant who gives you a report failed. A consultant who gives you a playbook and shows your team how to run it has delivered real value."
Jeremy Axel
Episode Transcript And Overview
-
Timeline Notes
Why People Fail with Consulting Opening question about common reasons consulting engagements fail.
Importance of Fit and Commitment Discussing the need for alignment in values, methodology, and being fully committed to consulting.
Introduction Host Jeremy Axel introduces the podcast
Why Listen to This Episode Adi Klevit explains the main takeaway: process documentation is not as hard or unnecessary as people think.
Adi’s Career and Company Origins Eddie describes her background and why she started her consulting company.
Rethinking Consulting for Modern Business Discussion on the evolution from traditional consulting to transformation and value-driven results.
Delivering Tangible Results and ROI Adi Klevit explains her approach, which involves providing playbooks and process maps and focusing on measurable ROI.
Overcoming Pushback on Soft Costs Addressing resistance from stakeholders regarding hidden or soft costs in process improvement.
Getting Buy-In and Defining Success Importance of consulting with all stakeholders to define ROI and ensure buy-in.
Collaboration vs. Surface-Level Advice Distinguishing effective consulting from superficial advice; emphasizing partnership and collaboration.
Defining the Consulting Partnership Adi Klevit's approach: co-defining goals, ensuring mutual participation, and the necessity of client engagement.
Collaboration vs. Correction Why collaboration is essential for change management and process adoption.
The Importance of “Why” in Process Documentation Starting every engagement by clarifying the client’s motivation for documenting processes.
Building Trust and Empathy The a need for trust, empathy, and careful communication when consulting with business owners.
Maintaining and Updating Processes The importance of ongoing maintenance, process champions, and keeping documentation current.
Overcoming Legacy Thinking and Burnout Challenges of changing long-standing habits and addressing employee burnout due to poor processes.
Celebrating Client Success Stories Adi Klevit shares the satisfaction of seeing clients succeed after implementing new systems.
Consulting as Leadership and Growth How effective consulting empowers leadership and enables business growth.
Returning Clients and Ongoing Relationships Adi Klevit discusses the frequency of repeat business and long-term client relationships.
Balancing Strategy and Execution How Adi Klevit balances strategic planning with hands-on execution in diverse teams.
eys to Successful Consulting Engagements Advice for clients: alignment, commitment, open communication, and defining expectations.
The Role of AI in Consulting Discussion on how AI is transforming consulting, increasing efficiency, and freeing up time for deeper work.
AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement Encouragement to embrace AI as a productivity tool, not something to fear.
Building Relationships in the AI Era AI frees up time for more meaningful human connections and networking.
Advice for Young Consultants Eddie’s tips: find your niche, get results, collect testimonials, and build credibility.
Notable Guests
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit is the Founder of Business Success Consulting Group and the host of the Systems Simplified podcast. With nearly three decades of experience as an industrial engineer and process consultant, she has helped hundreds of growth-focused companies systematize their operations to scale successfully.
Known as “The Process Guru,” Adi specializes in designing and implementing turnkey systems that reduce dependence on the owner, empower teams, and increase profitability. Her clients range from fast-growing trades businesses to multi-location professional service firms, and she is a trusted advisor to CEOs across the U.S.
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe is a pioneer in divorce mediation who has been helping couples navigate the end of their marriages with dignity and financial wisdom for over 17 years. As co-founder of Equitable Mediation Services, Joe combines his MBA in Finance with specialized training from Harvard, MIT, and Northwestern University to guide couples toward agreements that protect both their emotional wellbeing and financial futures.
Joe pioneered virtual divorce mediation in 2011, nearly a decade before others adopted online practices during the pandemic. His results speak for themselves: Equitable Mediation Services maintains a 98% case resolution rate, significantly higher than the industry average of 70%.
Jeremy Axel
Host
Jeremy Axel
Host
Founder and sales manager of Fluent Conveyors, brings over 10 years of experience transforming the conveyor industry with innovative design, exceptional service, and strong dealer partnerships. Serving sectors like recycling, agriculture, and packaging, he delivers custom solutions that enhance efficiency and profitability. Known for his strategic relationship-building and customer-focused approach, Jeremy has earned top honors such as Sales Rep of the Year and President’s Club, reflecting his ongoing commitment to growth and industry leadership.
