The Profit Checkup: Your Year-End Guide to Smarter Pricing in 2026 on the Practice Playbook Podcast #548

If you want more clarity, higher revenue, and a smoother path into 2026, this episode is your essential year-end roadmap. November is the strategic moment for legal and dispute resolution professionals to review their pricing, refine their services, and set the stage for a more profitable year ahead. In this solo episode, Susan E. Guthrie, nationally recognized mediator, legal entrepreneur, and author of The Flat Fee Playbook, walks you through a complete “Profit Checkup” designed specifically for mediators, attorneys, collaborative professionals, coaches, and conflict-resolution entrepreneurs. Whether you are preparing to raise your rates, transition to flat fee services, improve client experience, or finally bring your systems in line with your value, this actionable episode gives you the structure and clarity to make smart, strategic decisions before the new year begins. You will learn how to assess your current pricing, evaluate your true profit margins, analyze your most and least profitable services, and identify the bottlenecks that quietly erode your income and energy. Susan also explores the emotional side of pricing decisions and why most professionals struggle with raising their rates even when the data tells them they should. And because year-end is the perfect time for strategic planning, Susan shares a powerful companion tool for this episode: The Profit Checkup Worksheet, a free downloadable checklist that walks you step-by-step through the exact process she uses with her coaching clients and inside The Flat Fee Playbook. If you want a profitable, focused, and confident start to 2026, this episode is your guide. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why November, not January, is the smartest time to review and revise your pricing (although it's never too late!) • How to evaluate whether your fees reflect your expertise, market, and current demand • The three questions every practitioner should ask when assessing their pricing • How to calculate your “effective hourly rate” and why it matters more than your billed rate • Why flat fees reduce friction, increase predictability, and enhance client experience • Which services are most likely ready for a pricing change or structural redesign • How to assess your service mix for profitability, client fit, energy impact, and alignment • What bottlenecks silently drain your revenue and how to identify them • The emotional barriers that prevent professionals from raising prices • Why pricing is a leadership decision, not a math exercise • Key system updates you must complete before implementing new pricing in 2026 Download the Profit Checkup Worksheet Make this process effortless with a step-by-step worksheet that guides you through your year-end pricing review, service audit, and 2026 planning. Download the worksheet here: https://susaneguthrie.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/profit-checkup-worksheet This companion resource includes prompts, checklists, and guided questions that help you make informed, confident pricing decisions without overwhelm. Who This Episode Is For This episode is ideal for: • Mediators • Family law and collaborative attorneys • Arbitrators and legal neutrals • Coaches and consultants in conflict resolution • Solo practitioners and small firm owners • Professionals transitioning to flat fee or hybrid pricing • Legal entrepreneurs building or scaling their practices • Anyone preparing for 2026 business planning and revenue strategy If you want more profit, simplicity, and stability in your practice next year, this episode gives you the exact roadmap. Resources Mentioned • The Flat Fee Playbook – Your guide to building, structuring, and pricing flat fee services • Profit Checkup Worksheet – Free download • Thought Leadership Playbook – Build your platform and elevate your visibility • Business Planning Playbook (Coming Soon) – A complete framework for building a modern, strategic business plan • Practice Building Tip of the Day Newsletter on LinkedIn Meet Our Creator and Host: Susan Guthrie Susan E. Guthrie is one of the most respected voices in mediation and conflict resolution today. A nationally recognized family law attorney and mediator for 35 years, she is now a top professional coach and consultant helping dispute resolution and legal professionals build thriving, modern practices. Susan recently appeared on The Oprah Daily Podcast, expanding her reach to an even broader audience and highlighting her role as a trusted expert in divorce, communication, and modern conflict resolution. She is also the creator and host of The Divorce & Beyond Podcast, ranked in the top 1% worldwide, with millions of listeners and a global following. As Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan continues to shape the future of the profession while training and mentoring practitioners around the world. Connect with Susan E. Guthrie Website: https://susaneguthrie.com Books: https://susaneguthrie.com/susans-books LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie Instagram: @susaneguthrie and @practiceplaybookpodcast