Michael Himmelfarb is the founder of HG Partners, a consulting firm that advises growing tech companies on monetization and go-to-market strategy. He developed a unique consulting model that combines the advantages of AI with the human superpowers of creativity, empathy, and experience to deliver high-impact results in as little as 48 hours. A former GM of a $200M Nielsen business and a five-time tech CXO, he is passionate about teaching consultants how to leverage AI without losing the human trust advantage. His blog, Reframing Forward, explores the future of AI-enhanced business and work.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to use value-based pricing, quick-win offers, and authentic relationship-building to stand out, earn attention, and convert conversations into paid work in a risk-averse market.
Michael and I discuss:
- Michael’s path from corporate leadership to independent consulting [01:49]
- A clear one-sentence offer grounded in value-based pricing [06:24]
- How to capture attention with show-don’t-tell executive summaries and easy-to-buy offers [07:11]
- Why trust beats automation: using AI with human oversight (and a cautionary math example) [10:47]
- Practical advice for consultants struggling to convert interest into revenue [12:12]
- A simple LinkedIn strategy: thoughtful comments that spark real conversations [12:49]
- Community, collaboration, and helping others as a growth engine [14:23]
- Drawing the line between giving value and getting paid (share in the upside) [15:52]
- Cutting through noise: do your own work, use AI for augmentation, quantify outcomes [17:15]
- Shaping the offer: transactional, advisory, recurring, or loss leader—staying flexible [18:54]
- An agile, iterative approach to prompts and analysis for better AI outcomes [20:51]
- The long game of relationships and radical transparency [21:40]
- Where to explore more of Michael’s ideas and connect [23:12]
Learn more about Michael at: www.Hg-partners.com, https://reframingforward.substack.com, and linkedin.com/in/michaelhimmelfarb
Thank you to our sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
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About Smashing the Plateau
Smashing the Plateau shares stories and strategies from corporate refugees: mid-career professionals who’ve left corporate life to build something of their own.
Each episode features a candid conversation with someone who has walked this path or supports those who do. Guests offer real strategies to help you build a sustainable, fulfilling business on your terms, with practical insights on positioning, growth, marketing, decision-making, and mindset.
Woven throughout are powerful reminders of how community can accelerate your success.
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