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The Business of Expertise

The Business of Expertise

How Entrepreneurial Experts Convert Insight to Impact + Wealth
by David C. Baker 2017 266 pages
4.35
500+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Expertise flows from focus, which flows from positioning

Pattern matching, or reverse pattern matching, is foundational to expertise.

Pattern recognition is key. Expertise develops through repeated exposure to similar scenarios, allowing you to identify patterns and develop insights. This process is enabled by a focused positioning that presents you with comparable situations. Without a specific focus, you'll struggle to accumulate the depth of experience necessary to become a true expert.

Positioning enables focus. By narrowing your sphere of observation, you create opportunities to see recurring patterns. This focused approach allows you to:

  • Develop deep knowledge in a specific area
  • Recognize subtle nuances and trends
  • Formulate unique insights and solutions
  • Build a reputation as a go-to expert in your field

2. Expertise renders your work less interchangeable

Your only real control is to withhold your expertise.

Leverage your uniqueness. In a business relationship, your primary source of power is your specialized knowledge. When your expertise is truly unique and valuable, clients can't easily replace you with another provider. This non-interchangeability gives you:

  • Greater control in client relationships
  • The ability to command higher fees
  • More influence over project direction and outcomes

Cultivate irreplaceability. To make your expertise less interchangeable:

  • Develop a unique perspective or methodology
  • Create proprietary tools or frameworks
  • Accumulate rare experiences or case studies
  • Continuously innovate in your field

3. Excess opportunity yields a price premium for expertise

If you can't figure out how to do that, go work for someone else.

Scarcity drives value. When demand for your expertise exceeds your capacity to deliver, you can command higher prices. This excess opportunity allows you to:

  • Be selective about which clients you work with
  • Raise your rates without losing business
  • Invest in further developing your expertise

Create a virtuous cycle. As you become known for your expertise:

  1. Demand for your services increases
  2. You can charge higher prices
  3. You have more resources to invest in deepening your knowledge
  4. Your expertise becomes even more valuable

This cycle reinforces your position as a premium expert in your field.

4. Combine entrepreneurship with expertise for success

The only consistent trait was that they were risk-takers.

Embrace calculated risks. Successful expert entrepreneurs combine deep knowledge with a willingness to take risks. This combination allows you to:

  • Identify and seize unique opportunities
  • Innovate in your field
  • Adapt to changing market conditions
  • Scale your expertise into a thriving business

Balance expertise and entrepreneurship. To succeed:

  • Continuously deepen your knowledge
  • Develop business acumen alongside your expertise
  • Be willing to make decisions with incomplete information
  • Learn from failures and iterate quickly

5. Balance profit, impact, and culture in your expertise business

Make money, do effective work, build a strong culture.

Prioritize key elements. A successful expertise-based business balances three critical factors:

  1. Profitability: Ensure your business is financially sustainable
  2. Impact: Deliver meaningful results for your clients
  3. Culture: Create an environment that attracts and retains top talent

Align your priorities. While all three elements are important, consider this order of importance:

  1. Make money: Without financial stability, you can't sustain your business
  2. Do effective work: Deliver results to build your reputation and attract clients
  3. Build a strong culture: Create an environment that supports long-term success

Remember that enjoying your work is a positive outcome of doing these things well, not a primary goal in itself.

6. Position your expertise vertically or horizontally

Positioning is an exercise in irrelevance.

Choose your focus. Position your expertise either vertically (within a specific industry) or horizontally (across industries but focused on a particular problem or skill):

Vertical positioning:

  • Easier to find prospects
  • Clients often take you with them to new jobs
  • Word spreads organically within the industry
  • Often more highly compensated

Horizontal positioning:

  • More variety in work
  • Fewer conflicts of interest
  • Greater immunity to industry-specific downturns
  • Ability to work with larger, more sophisticated clients

Narrow your focus. The more specific your positioning, the more relevant you become to your ideal clients. This may mean becoming irrelevant to a broader market, but it allows you to dominate your chosen niche.

7. Test your positioning early and often

If you can't buy a list, you are looking for a group of prospects that nobody else thinks is worth tracking.

Early tests for positioning:

  1. "Drop and give me 20": Can you quickly list 20 insights from your expertise?
  2. Number of competitors/prospects: Aim for 10-200 competitors and 2,000-10,000 prospects
  3. Can you buy a list?: If not, your target market may not be well-defined
  4. Size of employee universe: How interchangeable are employees in your field?
  5. Will somebody travel?: Does your expertise justify travel?

Later tests for positioning:

  1. How smart are you getting?: Are you deepening your expertise quickly?
  2. Is it yielding a premium?: Can you command higher prices?
  3. Do you direct the client?: Are you seen as the expert who guides the process?
  4. Is the positioning defendable?: Has it withstood the test of time?

Regularly evaluate your positioning using these criteria to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

8. Demonstrate your expertise consistently

Asking good questions is the simplest way to demonstrate your expertise.

Showcase your knowledge. Consistently demonstrate your expertise to reinforce your positioning and build trust with clients:

  1. Ask insightful questions
  2. Provide unique perspectives on client answers
  3. Conduct relevant research
  4. Share valuable content (articles, whitepapers, etc.)
  5. Speak at industry events
  6. Develop and share proprietary methodologies

Lead with value. Every interaction with clients and prospects should demonstrate your expertise and provide tangible value. This approach helps establish you as a trusted advisor and go-to expert in your field.

9. Continuously refine and deepen your expertise

The longer I live and the more I learn, the more deeply certain I am of fewer and fewer things.

Embrace lifelong learning. To maintain your position as an expert:

  • Stay current with industry trends and developments
  • Continuously challenge your assumptions
  • Seek out new experiences and perspectives
  • Refine your ideas through writing and speaking
  • Collaborate with other experts in your field

Narrow and deepen. As you progress in your expertise:

  • Focus on fewer areas but develop deeper insights
  • Cultivate a unique perspective that sets you apart
  • Develop proprietary frameworks or methodologies
  • Contribute original research or thought leadership to your field

By continuously refining and deepening your expertise, you ensure your relevance and maintain your competitive edge in the market.

Last updated:

Review Summary

4.35 out of 5
Average of 500+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

The Business of Expertise receives mostly positive reviews, praised for its insights on positioning, expertise-based entrepreneurship, and practical advice. Readers appreciate the actionable tips for consultants and agency owners. Some found the writing style challenging or the content repetitive. Key takeaways include focusing on a niche, separating strategy from execution, and confidently pricing expertise. While some felt the book started slow, many found valuable nuggets, particularly in later chapters. A few reviewers criticized the author's tone or lack of clear definitions.

Your rating:

About the Author

David C. Baker is an experienced consultant and author who specializes in helping creative entrepreneurs and agencies grow their businesses. He has worked with over 1,000 expertise-based entrepreneurs, gaining insights into successful positioning and differentiation strategies. Baker is known for his straightforward and sometimes provocative advice on building expert-based businesses. His writing style is described as lively, irreverent, and occasionally challenging. Baker's expertise extends beyond the content of his book, as he has practical experience in helping businesses sell and grow. He is also associated with the 2Bobs podcast, where he shares insights on entrepreneurship and expertise-based businesses.

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