Leap Into HR Consulting ® cover art

Leap Into HR Consulting ®

Leap Into HR Consulting ®

By: Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD
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Summary

 Welcome to our podcast series, where we’re diving deep into one of the most transformative decisions an HR professional can make: Is HR or People Consulting your next big move?If you’re finding yourself yearning for more – more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment in your career – but unsure of what’s next, you’re not alone. You could be at a career crossroads, wondering if there’s a better way forward.In each episode, join Sarah Hamilton-Gill, one of the HR industry’s most influential thinkers, as she shares insights and stories from her journey and the journeys of others who took the leap into consulting. Together, we’ll explore whether a path in HR consulting is right for you, and what it truly takes to succeed. If you're ready to step out of the ordinary and into something extraordinary, stay tuned.And for more resources and support, visit www.leapintoconsulting.com – it’s time to reimagine what’s possible in your career!© 2026 Sarah Hamilton-Gill Career Success Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Stop Selling HR Solutions & Start Selling Business Outcomes + Guest Briana Mascaro

    Stop Selling HR Solutions & Start Selling Business Outcomes + Guest Briana Mascaro
    May 1 2026
    In this episode of the Leap into HR Consulting podcast, Sarah Hamilton-Gill explains why experienced HR consultants and coaches can still struggle to attract clients, even when they have strong expertise. The central message is simple: stop selling HR support or coaching sessions, and start showing the business outcome. Sarah explores how many consultants describe what they do in terms of services, such as policies, retainers, coaching, psychometrics or leadership development. However, business owners are usually focused on more immediate challenges: people issues taking up too much time, managers avoiding difficult conversations, senior teams lacking alignment, or growth creating risk and chaos. The episode shares three practical ways consultants and coaches can strengthen their positioning: Lead with the outcomeExplain the value your work creates, such as reducing risk, improving leadership confidence, supporting growth, creating clarity or helping managers deal with issues earlier. Be known for something specificMove away from being too general. Choose clear themes or problems you want to be associated with, so people can remember, refer and recommend you more easily. Create a clear next stepAvoid vague endings like “let me know if I can help.” Instead, guide the conversation towards a practical next step, such as an HR priorities review, leadership coaching programme, manager confidence support or facilitated team session. Sarah reassures listeners that struggling to talk about their own value is very common, especially for those moving from corporate HR or in-house coaching into consultancy. The answer is not to become pushy or salesy, but to become clearer, more confident and more commercially relevant. In this episode, Sarah also speaks with Briana Mascaro, a former labour and employment attorney from Florida who has recently made the move from corporate life into entrepreneurship. Briana shares her journey from legal practice into corporate HR, including her time at Disney managing union contracts, employee relations, investigations and complex workplace challenges during major periods such as #MeToo and COVID-19. She explains how this experience has now shaped her new business, where she combines executive coaching, HR consulting and employment law expertise to support smaller businesses with people-related challenges. A key theme of the conversation is the move from corporate certainty to entrepreneurial freedom. Briana talks openly about how coaching became a passion project, how she prepared financially before making the leap, and why building a network and client base before leaving corporate life helped her transition with confidence. Sarah and Briana also explore the importance of outsourcing workplace investigations, particularly for smaller businesses that need independent, credible and objective support. Briana highlights how her legal, HR and employee relations background gives her a strong foundation for handling sensitive and complex investigations. The episode also covers the practical realities of starting a consultancy, including setting up systems such as a CRM and accounting software, using AI tools, managing workload, choosing the right clients and setting realistic goals. Briana shares honest reflections on work-life balance, breaking old corporate habits and creating more time with her daughter. For anyone considering a move from corporate HR or employment law into consulting, this conversation is full of grounded advice, encouragement and practical insight. In this episode, we cover: Briana’s transition from employment law to corporate HR and consulting Her experience at Disney with unions, employee relations and complex investigations Why executive coaching became the catalyst for starting her own business The benefits of outsourcing workplace investigations How to prepare financially and practically before leaving corporate life The importance of systems, networking and realistic goal-setting Building a consultancy around your strengths, niche and values Creating better work-life balance as a business owner Listen in if you are thinking about making the leap into consulting, building a coaching practice, or using your corporate expertise to create a more flexible and fulfilling career. Please connect with Briana via her LinkedIn profile and let her know you listened to the podcast! https://www.linkedin.com/in/briana-mascaro-/ For more information on all of our services: www.leapintoconsulting.com To find out more about our summer sales programme contact: Sarahhg@globushrconsulting.co.uk
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    39 mins
  • Don’t Overcomplicate Your HR Consultancy - Keep It Simple, Tech-Smart, and Profitable

    Don’t Overcomplicate Your HR Consultancy - Keep It Simple, Tech-Smart, and Profitable
    Apr 17 2026

    This episode was sparked by me taking time out this week to reflect on my business and my life and asking a simple question: What’s genuinely moving the needle… and what’s just making everything feel heavier than it needs to be?

    If your HR consultancy feels busy but not profitable, it’s often not because you’re doing too little- it’s because you’re doing too much, in too many places, with too much complexity.

    In this episode, we talk about how to keep your consultancy simple, tech-smart, and focused on the work that actually drives profit and I’m joined by Claire Snow, who has mastered the art of creating focus in her business.

    What you’ll learn

    • Why HR consultants often overcomplicate (and what it’s really costing you)

    • How to simplify your offer so clients can quickly understand what you do and say yes

    • How to use technology to be efficient without turning your business into an IT project

    • What to delegate (and why delegation is a profit strategy, not a luxury)

    • How to protect time for the activities that create revenue in the next 30–90 days

    Key talking points

    Overcomplication looks like: too many services, too many tools, too much content without purpose, and too much admin. A simple rule: if it doesn’t help you sell, deliver, or get paid, it’s probably not urgent.

    Keep your offer clear: one core problem, one primary delivery method, one clear next step. Minimum effective tech stack: choose the simplest tools that help you capture/track, deliver consistently, and get paid.

    Delegate non-core work: stop trying to be the marketer, designer, bookkeeper, IT desk, and admin assistant.

    CEO focus: business development, client delivery, and small consistent business improvement.

    Claire's LinkedIn Profile:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-snow/

    Our website:

    www.leapintoconsulting.com
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    18 mins
  • Why Economic Uncertainty Creates Opportunies for HR Consultants

    Why Economic Uncertainty Creates Opportunies for HR Consultants
    Apr 4 2026

    Economic uncertainty doesn’t remove opportunity for HR consultants, it reshapes it. In this episode, we explore why businesses need more focused, outcome-driven HR support during challenging times, and how consultants who position themselves clearly, speak commercially, and solve real business problems can stand out and grow. As organisations face increasing pressure around performance, retention, and leadership, the demand for practical, experienced HR support becomes even more critical.

    We are also delighted to be joined by Lena Mistry, who shares her personal story of making the leap into consulting. As MD of People First HR, she offers an honest insight into what it really takes to step away from corporate life, build confidence, and create a consultancy that works in today’s market. This episode will leave you with a fresh perspective, renewed confidence, and a clear reminder that clarity and action are what move you forward.

    Lena's details - please connect with her!

    https://people-first-hr.co.uk/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-mistry/
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    24 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I eagerly await for the podcasts to land. Sarah is inspiring to listen to and always provides valuable advice.
I have bought her book on Kindle and Audio book on Audible and always use them both as a point of reference simultaneously.
The podcast offers really good advice from the guest speakers.

Inspiring podcast

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