Unison helps professional services firms create predictable, repeatable revenue operating models.
Schedule a Strategy CallYour growth isn’t broken. It’s just unreliable. Some team members consistently originate work, while others wait for the phone to ring. Cross selling is an idea, not a behavior. Pipeline numbers reflect intent, not action.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Your firm’s next phase of growth will come from unlocking the team you already have.
“Let’s bring in a sales trainer.” Workshops, business development strategy meetings, and other event-based efforts are easy to execute. But they don’t build the habits necessary to produce sustainable results.
“That’s something service-line leaders should drive.” Service‑line leaders are focused on their own lane, and usually aren’t in the best place to develop a unified, firm-wide approach (or operationalize it.)
“We ALL need to own growth.” Numerous people might be accountable for revenue. But a lack of clear champions and action plans will cause progress to stall.
“Let's get marketing to build it.” The right tools requires skills from marketing, finance, legal, L&D, and IT. But those teams often lack the client and service‑line insight that earns revenue-generator buy‑in.
Unison's Revenue Operating Model creates predictable and scalable systems for organic revenue growth. Outcomes include:
✔ Activating cross-selling and increase logging of BD activity.
✔ Establishing measurement systems that drive accountability.
✔ Transforming experts into tenacious business developers.
"One of my wiser clients once said, “Imagine how successful our firm could be if each of us knew what all of us know.” That insight captures the key to unlocking the full potential of a professional services firm. Yet achieving that level of collective knowledge is incredibly difficult, especially with the challenges posed by client deadlines, remote work, and siloed teams. Michelle found a way to overcome these obstacles. She worked across offices and business lines to develop innovative, effective methods to help us more fully understand each other’s areas of expertise. As a result, we were able to move confidently beyond our comfort zones to become better ambassadors for the entire firm. Michelle’s work at Stout was transformational, and we’re still reaping the benefits today."
Aziz El-Tahch, ESOP & ERISA Advisory Practice Leader at Stout
I had the privilege of partnering with Michelle Johnson during her tenure as Stout’s Chief Revenue Officer to create and launch a custom business development program. Michelle brought exceptional vision, strategic insight, and leadership to this initiative, ensuring it was not just a training program but a cultural shift in how our teams approached business development.Her ability to connect the dots between skill-building, habits, and measurable outcomes was instrumental in designing a program that directly increased BD meetings and drove revenue growth. Michelle’s collaborative approach made the process seamless—she listened, challenged assumptions, and inspired those around her to think bigger. The program stands as a lasting testament to Michelle’s impact: a program that continues to equip our professionals with the tools, confidence, and discipline to excel in business development. Michelle’s leadership left an indelible mark on Stout, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside her.
Brian Sadarangani, Director of Learning at PE-backed valuation advisory firm
Working with Michelle led to a measurable increase in cross-selling—and more importantly, we now have the structure and systems in place to sustain that growth. Michelle doesn’t just talk strategy; she makes it actionable. She helped us design an approach that fit our culture, equipped our MDs/subject matter experts to make business development a consistent priority, and gave our leaders the tools to embed those behaviors for the long term.
Cory Thompson, Co Chief Client Services Officer at 1,000-person valuation advisory firm and investment bank
Not only did I have a front row seat watching Michelle succeed in her Chief Revenue Office role, but I also had the opportunity to work directly with Michelle on some critical growth initiatives for our firm. Michelle’s success is driven by so many of her competencies, but in my view what differentiates her is the ability to quickly build a fantastic rapport with colleagues (and clients), encourage logical connections, remain amazingly organized and structured, and finally to be driven by meaningful results.
Senior Managing Director at a 6,500-person global advisory firm
Michelle is an exceptional leader who takes a thoughtful and tactical approach to how an organization can drive revenue growth. While some generate ideas or take part in brainstorming sessions, Michelle possesses this unique ability to drive the conversation further, delve deeper, take the conceptual and create a case study, build that case study into a program, and propel that program (and its participants) to achieve results that were previously unfathomable. I witnessed this firsthand as she created, executed, and optimized business development and revenue initiatives. She blends passion, problem solving and a programmatic approach to driving sustainable growth. It was a privilege working with her as her impact to our organization, and the various individuals she worked with was, and will continue to be, immeasurable.
Jeremy Enuson, Managing Director at Stout
I had the privilege of working closely with Michelle Johnson, and she is hands down one of the most impactful professionals I’ve worked with. She brings a sharp, strategic mind to every challenge, but what truly sets her apart is how she balances driving measurable business results with a deep commitment to the colleague experience.
Michelle is a thought partner in the truest sense. She is someone who can see the bigger picture, ask the right questions, and push initiatives forward in a way that earns trust and creates lasting value. Watching her transition into this next chapter feels like a natural evolution. If you're looking for someone who can help you grow your business while also strengthening your culture, Michelle is exactly who you want in your corner.
Toni Wyatt, Head of Human Resources at Forum Health
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