Become a jack of all trades or master of one? It’s a strategic question every professional services firm asks itself at some point.

Australian consulting firm Keogh Consulting took the latter approach – do a small number of things and do them well – and says the strategy was a key factor in winning Best Management Consulting Firm (less than $30m revenue) in the 2022 Client Choice Awards.

“Find a niche, do one or two things exceptionally well and gain recognition for them. Then expand vertically to offer more in the value chain, and horizontally to serve a wider audience,” explained Keogh’s CEO, Margit Mansfield.

“We stay true to the Keogh values of offering bespoke solutions, being humanistic in every interaction with our clients, staying constantly curious and spending a lot of time gaining insights into what makes our clients tick.”

Ms Mansfield said her firm was “humbled to be nominated” as a finalist at the Client Choice Awards and “thrilled to have won” given the competitive field of entrants in 2022.

More than 250 professional services firms from Australia and New Zealand entered the awards across four categories of accounting and consulting services, built and natural environment consulting, law and related services, and specialist IP and related services.

“A number of big names entered the awards this year and it’s an honour to be competing against the best in the industry,” she said.

“Having such a competitive field reminds us to stay on top of our game always.”

Ms Mansfield said the way in which the Client Choice Awards were judged – via feedback submitted to beaton rather than judging panels or self-nomination – meant winning an award was all the more pleasing. In 2022, more than 15,000 individual pieces of client feedback were submitted across all categories for judging.

“Firstly, it is acknowledgement that as a firm we are making a positive difference in workplaces across Australia and all our people at Keogh have played a role in delivering that difference,” Ms Mansfield said.

“Secondly it confirms the Keogh team as individuals and a collective are leading in their field and delivering results.”

Ms Mansfield said the Keogh approach to focusing on a niche area not only helped the firm stand out in clients’ eyes – but enabled the team to retain those clients for the long term.

“This [strategy] means we have the ability to genuine relationships with the clients we work with, and meet them where they are at. Time and again, clients have told us that this is why they have chosen us over others,” she said.

“If clients receive exceptional service and results, they will tell others, and help us grow our brand awareness and reputation.”

Keogh Consulting was named Best Management Consulting Firm (<$30m revenue) in the 2022 Client Choice Awards. This award is presented in partnership with Accountancy Insurance.

Firmchecker is the Research Partner for this category.

The Client Choice Awards rewards firms for excellent client service, technical expertise, innovation and client experience. It is the only multi-profession and fully client-judged awards anywhere in the world. The Principal Partner of the Awards is NAB.

Enter your firm for the 2023 Awards here.