Expert Consulting in Healthcare: Growth, Strategy, and Brand Building with Steve Sawyer

In this episode of Expert In You, Ann Carden sits down with Steve Sawyer from SolvingX to discuss his journey into healthcare consulting and the strategies behind building trust and reducing costs in the industry. Steve shares powerful insights on problem-solving, client success stories, and the importance of simplicity in business. They dive into mentorship, brand positioning, and strategic client acquisition, highlighting the impact of speaking engagements and value pricing in growing a consulting business. Transparency is key, and Steve breaks down how honesty fosters strong client relationships. Plus, he unveils details about his new book, while Ann extends an invitation to her free virtual workshop. 🎧 Tune in for expert advice on scaling your consulting business with clarity and confidence!

Steve Sawyer is a proven leader and strategic consultant in supply chain operations, facilities management, and technology. With extensive experience advising Fortune 500 companies (#135 & #190) and Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs) across industries—including banking, commercial real estate, healthcare, government, military, multi-family, and retail—Steve is a trusted advisor to executives and a results-driven strategist.

🚀 Leadership & Strategy
🔹 Expert in C-Suite sales, financial & operations strategies, and disaster preparedness
🔹 Specialist in account transitions, technology implementation, and executive committee leadership
🔹 Proven ability to build centralized teams and drive large-scale operational transformation

💰 Spend & Analytics Expertise
🔹 Managed $16 billion in global OpEx/CapEx spend
🔹 Deep knowledge of Real Estate PropTech, risk management, and KPI-driven performance tracking
🔹 Led $90 million in contracted career savings through capital equipment, energy, and integrated facility services

🏆 Industry Thought Leader & Innovator
🔹 2025 Johnson Controls Healthcare Advisory Council Member
🔹 Subject matter expert in 60+ operational categories, from construction and security to ESG and water treatment
🔹 Published insights on healthcare outcomes, supply chain security, and the importance of janitorial & FF&E brand equity

📈 Transformational Success
✔ Drove a 23% ($215M) growth in GPO portfolio
✔ Centralized U.S. & Manila supply chain operations across 3,500 facilities
✔ Led the largest utility procurement across 52 hospitals ($22.5M in savings)
✔ Automated HR talent acquisition, cutting post-to-hire time by 20 days

📩 Connect with Steve:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevesawyer2/
🌐 Website: https://solvingxllc.com/

(0:00) Introduction and Guest Steve Sawyer from SolvingX
(2:07) Steve Sawyer's eclectic career journey
(5:21) Transition into healthcare consulting
(9:14) Building trust and cutting costs in healthcare
(13:11) Problem-solving and client success stories
(19:57) Simplicity, mentorship, and consulting transition
(22:12) Expansion of expertise and personal growth
(24:32) Sponsor: Expert in You magazine
(25:15) Client acquisition and strategic partnerships
(28:34) Building and leveraging a solid brand
(33:10) Speaking engagements and value pricing strategies
(40:18) Ensuring transparency and building client trust
(42:32) Final advice for aspiring consultants
(45:18) Upcoming book details and content sharing tips
(47:28) Connecting with Steve and closing remarks
(48:12) Ann's upcoming free virtual workshop and call to action