Helping Professionals Build Stronger Relationships and Business Development Habits
Practical, relationship-driven coaching programs designed to help professionals grow business in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and effective.
Business development does not need to feel forced, overwhelming, or disconnected from who you are. At Doug Ott Consulting, our coaching programs help professionals approach business development with more clarity, confidence, and consistency. The focus is not on scripts, sales tactics, or “working the room.” The focus is on building stronger relationships, asking better questions, staying visible, and creating opportunities through trust, intellectual curiosity, and authentic communication.
Over the past several years, the coaching programs have increasingly evolved toward a group coaching model that combines practical business development strategy, peer learning, accountability, and collaboration. Participants not only learn from the coaching itself, but also from hearing how colleagues and peers approach relationship building, visibility, follow-up, networking, collaboration, and client development challenges. This creates stronger momentum, deeper accountability, and more meaningful long-term growth.
Selective 1:1 coaching is also available for professionals seeking more customized support around specific goals, transitions, opportunities, or business development challenges.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE COACHING PROGRAM
Each session includes practical assignments designed to help participants apply what they are learning between meetings. Participants are encouraged to bring current opportunities, upcoming meetings, networking situations, relationship challenges, and active business development scenarios into the sessions for discussion and coaching.
WHY GROUP COACHING WORKS
Business development is often more effective when professionals learn alongside others who are working through similar challenges and opportunities. Group coaching creates an environment where participants can exchange ideas, practice conversations, learn from different perspectives, and develop stronger internal relationships that often lead to future collaboration opportunities.
For firms and organizations, the group coaching model also helps strengthen business development culture, improve internal connectivity, reinforce accountability, and encourage more proactive relationship-building habits across teams and practice groups.
The coaching programs are always tailored to the specific needs, experience levels, goals, and personalities of the participants. Some professionals need help becoming more proactive. Others want to improve networking, follow-up, collaboration, visibility, or client communication. The goal is to create a practical and sustainable business development approach that feels authentic to the individual while also producing measurable long-term results.
CORE COACHING MODULES
Below is a high-level overview of the core business development topics covered throughout the six-month coaching programs. These modules are not always addressed in strict linear order, as the sessions are customized around the evolving needs and business development priorities of the participants and organization.
Practical, relationship-driven coaching programs designed to help professionals grow business in a way that feels authentic, sustainable, and effective.
Business development does not need to feel forced, overwhelming, or disconnected from who you are. At Doug Ott Consulting, our coaching programs help professionals approach business development with more clarity, confidence, and consistency. The focus is not on scripts, sales tactics, or “working the room.” The focus is on building stronger relationships, asking better questions, staying visible, and creating opportunities through trust, intellectual curiosity, and authentic communication.
Over the past several years, the coaching programs have increasingly evolved toward a group coaching model that combines practical business development strategy, peer learning, accountability, and collaboration. Participants not only learn from the coaching itself, but also from hearing how colleagues and peers approach relationship building, visibility, follow-up, networking, collaboration, and client development challenges. This creates stronger momentum, deeper accountability, and more meaningful long-term growth.
Selective 1:1 coaching is also available for professionals seeking more customized support around specific goals, transitions, opportunities, or business development challenges.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE COACHING PROGRAM
- Shift your mindset around business development and relationship building
- Build stronger relationships with clients, prospects, referral sources, and internal colleagues
- Develop a practical and actionable business development strategy
- Improve visibility and stay top of mind more consistently
- Develop stronger networking and follow-up habits
- Lead more effective business development conversations
- Strengthen collaboration across practices, offices, and teams
- Build a healthier and more organized pipeline
- Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships
- Develop sustainable habits that support long-term growth
Each session includes practical assignments designed to help participants apply what they are learning between meetings. Participants are encouraged to bring current opportunities, upcoming meetings, networking situations, relationship challenges, and active business development scenarios into the sessions for discussion and coaching.
WHY GROUP COACHING WORKS
Business development is often more effective when professionals learn alongside others who are working through similar challenges and opportunities. Group coaching creates an environment where participants can exchange ideas, practice conversations, learn from different perspectives, and develop stronger internal relationships that often lead to future collaboration opportunities.
For firms and organizations, the group coaching model also helps strengthen business development culture, improve internal connectivity, reinforce accountability, and encourage more proactive relationship-building habits across teams and practice groups.
The coaching programs are always tailored to the specific needs, experience levels, goals, and personalities of the participants. Some professionals need help becoming more proactive. Others want to improve networking, follow-up, collaboration, visibility, or client communication. The goal is to create a practical and sustainable business development approach that feels authentic to the individual while also producing measurable long-term results.
CORE COACHING MODULES
Below is a high-level overview of the core business development topics covered throughout the six-month coaching programs. These modules are not always addressed in strict linear order, as the sessions are customized around the evolving needs and business development priorities of the participants and organization.
Approach Business Development with the Right Mindset
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Facilitate Successful BD Meetings, Communicate more Effectively
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How to Stay Top of Mind, Smart Collaboration
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Land & Expand Your Business and Network. Hone Specific BD Tactics. Review.
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Programs
6-Month 1-on-1 Coaching Program
The program begins with a 1-hour kickoff meeting in person or via video conference to assess your current needs, clarify goals, and address gaps. We will then develop a targeted action plan based on your goals. This could include getting better organized with tracking and developing your relationships, identifying key target clients to focus on, and addressing tactical skills that need further development.
Every two weeks for the next 6 months, we will have a scheduled 45-minute meeting. You will have homework assignments between scheduled meetings, and will be held accountable for achieving these milestones. In each meeting will review progress made, discuss situations that have arisen, and agree on next steps in your action plan to drive growth and change in your daily work habits. Between scheduled meetings you will have unlimited "spot coaching" access to me to address quick questions via phone or email
Every two weeks for the next 6 months, we will have a scheduled 45-minute meeting. You will have homework assignments between scheduled meetings, and will be held accountable for achieving these milestones. In each meeting will review progress made, discuss situations that have arisen, and agree on next steps in your action plan to drive growth and change in your daily work habits. Between scheduled meetings you will have unlimited "spot coaching" access to me to address quick questions via phone or email
6-month Group / 1-on-1 Coaching Program
This unique small group (max 8 participants per group) program offers the perfect blend of group accountability and individual customization. Each participant will be inspired and motivated by their peers while, at the same time, receive a customized 1-on-1 program to address their individual needs and challenges. You meet with the group once a month and on a 1-on-1 basis every three weeks.
Sr. Associate BD Bootcamp
One of the most daunting transitions from Sr. Associate to Partner is having the new pressure of generating revenue for the firm. After years of being heads down in client work, Sr. Associates need to start thinking about developing business development skills to get ready for partnership.
This 6-month small group program is the perfect program to give these young attorneys or consultants the tools, insights, and confidence to approach the marketplace with the right mindset and effectiveness that they might not have otherwise. We meet once a month for an hour over Zoom, and tackle real world scenarios that professionals face on a regular basis.
The program is rich in content, yet customized to the needs of the particular group. Additionally, the participants will have unlimited access to me to address time-sensitive questions that cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting.
This 6-month small group program is the perfect program to give these young attorneys or consultants the tools, insights, and confidence to approach the marketplace with the right mindset and effectiveness that they might not have otherwise. We meet once a month for an hour over Zoom, and tackle real world scenarios that professionals face on a regular basis.
The program is rich in content, yet customized to the needs of the particular group. Additionally, the participants will have unlimited access to me to address time-sensitive questions that cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting.
Train-the-Trainer Program
More firms are building their internal business development team to coach their professionals. Speaking from experience, I know how challenging it can be to coach colleagues within your own firm. It takes someone with the right personality, experience, and tools to support the success of their colleagues. This 6-month small group coaching program gives the coaches the insights, tools, and confidence to work with their colleagues effectively that drives results. The participants will also benefit from collaborating with their peers to address questions and challenges in a group environment.
Revenue Accelerator Program
Many professionals already understand the basics of business development and know how to generate revenue, yet they want to move from good to great in generating a larger and more consistent stream of business. The traditional way to improve is to learn from one’s mistakes, and eventually over years of practice, reach the level of a top revenue-generator. This approach takes time, energy, and a lot of patience.
The Revenue Accelerator Program is designed to accelerate the learning curve and propel the professional to a top level of consistency and profitability for them and their firm. The program is tailored for the professional who already understand the basics of business development yet wants to reach the top of his/her business game quicker and more effectively. This small group program brings together talented professionals where they can learn best practices from each other and keep each other accountable in their pursuits. The group is limited to 4-8 participants that will meet once a month over a 6-month period. Each participant will also meet with me every three weeks on a 1-on-1 basis to address individual needs and objectives.
This more advanced business development program is offered only to those who already have a basic understanding of business development and are at an acceptable level of revenue generation. Certain guidelines will be established by me and/or firm leadership to qualify for the program. Here are three program offerings:
The Revenue Accelerator Program is designed to accelerate the learning curve and propel the professional to a top level of consistency and profitability for them and their firm. The program is tailored for the professional who already understand the basics of business development yet wants to reach the top of his/her business game quicker and more effectively. This small group program brings together talented professionals where they can learn best practices from each other and keep each other accountable in their pursuits. The group is limited to 4-8 participants that will meet once a month over a 6-month period. Each participant will also meet with me every three weeks on a 1-on-1 basis to address individual needs and objectives.
This more advanced business development program is offered only to those who already have a basic understanding of business development and are at an acceptable level of revenue generation. Certain guidelines will be established by me and/or firm leadership to qualify for the program. Here are three program offerings:
- INTERNAL REVENUE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Offered to rising stars within the same firm. Ideally targeted but not limited to professionals in different practice groups. - EXTERNAL REVENUE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Offered to rising stars from different firms. This is available to professionals in different industries, such as legal, consulting, and investigative. The chemistry within these groups is ideal since many of them work together on client matters. - EXTERNAL REVENUE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM - WCC LAWYERS
Offered to rising stars in the white-collar practice at different firms. Not only will the participants learn best practices from their peers, but they will have a chance to strengthen their network with other talented WCC professionals.
If any of these advanced business development programs are of interest, reach out to me for more details.
[email protected] - (415) 350-9423
[email protected] - (415) 350-9423
WHAT CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY
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“Doug worked closely with me to develop and build relationships that helped me make partner and grow my “book of business” as a new partner at Deloitte. I continue to use the lessons learned from his coaching. Doug is a strategic and authentic coach who approaches business development with professionalism and a sense of humor; he’s a pleasure to work with.”
- Samantha Parish, Principal - Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP
- Samantha Parish, Principal - Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP
“Highly recommend! Doug has a unique ability to uncover and unlock the blind spots that hold back top performers from their true potential. I have personally witnessed Doug’s craft in action as he has coached members of our sales team to reflect on and own their growth challenged, make the necessary changes, and then go on to exceed the professional (and personal) goals. Doug’s genuine, laid-back coaching style, combined with his underlying competitive drive to win, creates the necessary space for sales professionals and executive team members to capture and own their own authentic approach to exceeding their goals.”
- Kerry Barrett, CEO - Accretive Solutions
- Kerry Barrett, CEO - Accretive Solutions
“Doug worked with me on my practice development skills for the better part of a year. His coaching and lessons were truly instrumental in taking my practice development to the next level. Moreover, it has clearly paid dividends. My practice has steadily grown since Doug and I worked together, such that today I have a steady stream of new clients and matters and a robust pipeline of work. I still utilize the lessons and skills Doug taught me every day, and I have tremendous gratitude for the fact that I had the opportunity to work with him.”
- Tony Schoenberg, Partner and Chair of Business Litigation Practice - Farella Braun + Martel
- Tony Schoenberg, Partner and Chair of Business Litigation Practice - Farella Braun + Martel
