The 5 Items That Elevated My MarTech Consulting
And How the Right Equipment Can Boost Your Success
My first consulting project was with a retailer migrating their inventory data.
I was paired up with another new consultant. Together, we scheduled and ran meetings across departments.
Our goal was to understand all the specific migrations and employee training that needed to happen.
✅ We scheduled meetings with the right people
✅ We ran the interviews and asked good questions
✅ We made a list of the themes we had noticed and we’re good to go!
But when we handed the plan to the buyer, he wasn’t sure we captured what was important.
Even worse, he asked for our nonexistent individual meeting notes.
Oh no! 😥
We scrambled to reverse-engineer what interviewee mentioned what topic in the final notes.
After a few stressful hours, we had our best guess pulled together and the buyer was happy1.
Since then, I’ve had a notebook on me at all times, ready to take meeting notes.
In martech consulting (or consulting in general), the right tools can make a chore easier or improve your workflow.
For example, carrying a notebook has been a huge help in ways other than just taking notes.
And over the years, I’ve made several key purchases that have made me better at my job.
Here’s a look at some of the most impactful investments I’ve made.
Don’t go out and buy everything on this list.
Use it as a reference and consider if something else could better match your needs.
Almost everything can either be found used, substituted with more inexpensive options, or gotten for free from a company
A Notebook
Advantages:
Boosts focus: No digital distractions while jotting down ideas.
Quick iterations: Sketch diagrams and get immediate feedback during discussions.
Demonstrates attentiveness: Shows clients that you’re fully engaged.
Alternative(s): Loose leaf paper or a binder could also work to organize your thoughts.
Computers are great.
But the humble notebook remains a cornerstone of my daily work.
When I started, I used an engineering computation notebook, but I’ve since transitioned to the 4x6" notebooks my company provides.
These notebooks help me focus, free from the distractions of notifications.
They’re perfect for sketching out ideas or quickly going back-and-forth on a initial tech stack diagram during a conversation. Unlike tools like Lucidchart2, paper allows for immediate adjustments. It’s way faster way to communicate and refine ideas when you don’t have the digital overhead.
Plus, taking handwritten notes shows clients I’m engaged and serious about their input.
A Quality Pen (and a Crappy Pen)
Advantages:
Fun to write with: Makes writing enjoyable and elevates your professional presence.
Anti-theft [if fountain]: Unlikely to be borrowed and not returned.
Professional impression: A good pen reflects attention to detail.
Alternative(s): Any rollerball or ballpoint pen can work as long as you enjoy writing with it.
To complement my notebooks, I use a Lamy 2000 fountain pen—a gift from my mom.
This classic pen from the 1960s not only writes beautifully but it also adds a level of professionalism to my note taking3.
The fountain pen design is unique enough that it’s unlikely to be borrowed and never returned—a practical benefit after losing dozens of normal pens.
It helps me stick with my handwriting and makes the whole process a bit more fun. (It also helps that I get to choose my favorite colors of ink)
I also recommend carrying a BIC pen or two.
You can lend one out and not be too sad when it inevitably doesn’t return.
Standalone Voice Microphone
Advantages:
Enhances solo interviews: Focus on listening and asking questions without worrying about taking notes.
Don’t miss anything: Recording ensures you don’t miss any details.
Easy to manage: Much smoother to use a voice recorder than try to use the voice memos on your phone for long interviews.
Alternative(s): Voice memos on your phone
One of the most valuable tools in my kit is a standalone voice microphone.
This simple device has proven indispensable during solo interviews4.
When I’m juggling the tasks of listening and taking notes, it’s easy to miss important details. Interviewees will also notice that I’m more distracted.
That’s where the microphone comes in. Recording the conversation allows me to stay fully engaged in the moment, knowing I can revisit the discussion later.
The Sony ICD-UX570, which I use, is a great example. I don’t specifically recommend that model, but anything with the same design is probably just as good.
It’s not about the brand or sound quality—this isn’t for a podcast—but the ability to review interviews so that I can refer back to them has been a game-changer.
USB-C Hub
Advantages:
Connectivity: Links various devices, from HDMI screens and SD cards to USB-A peripherals.
Versatile: Essential for being ready for various client setups
Cheap: Under $20
Alternative(s): Various USB-C / USB-A adaptors and hope that it works at the next client site.
In the world of martech, everyone cares about data. Unfortunately, everyone also has a very different philosophy on how that data should be managed.
A USB-C hub, like the one from Anker, has become an essential part of my toolkit.
This small device allows me to connect my various computers to a range of peripherals, from external screens to USB-A devices like my voice recorder.
Last week, I forgot to bring it to the office and immediately felt the impact when I couldn’t sync my interview recordings to transcribe on my laptop.
It’s a small purchase that lets me keep my computer setup flexible and adaptable.
ChatGPT Premium Subscription
Advantages:
Breaks writer’s block: AI suggests next steps or helps summarize content.
Organizes notes: Converts handwritten notes into structured formats.
High-level project planning: AI prompts help clarify project goals.
Alternative(s): Whiteboarding with someone you can bounce ideas off of
While I believe that AI tools should be used with caution (especially in content creation, like here) they’re great for:
breaking through writer’s block
converting notes into structured formats
converting pictures of white board drawings into something that can be edited
thinking through projects at a high level
For example, when I’m stuck on a project with an unclear goal, I can use AI to ask guiding questions, helping me to structure my approach more effectively.
⚠️ It’s crucial to manage AI interactions carefully, especially regarding client privacy. Always make sure client data isn’t being used to train a public model. If you’re unsure of what that entails, make sure to ask your client IT or security team what their policy is.
Conclusion
Each of these tools has made me better at my martech consulting work.
From tools that keep me connected and organized to those that make the quotidian parts of my workday more fun, these investments have helped me enjoy working and be a better consultant.
Having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference.
Interestingly, the buyer didn’t end up changing anything from our original plan. I think he just wanted to make sure recommendations were based in reality.
Still a great tool. Definitely enjoy it otherwise
Did Lamy win the game of “sell me this pen”?
If you have a second person to help take notes, you can avoid this entirely