Here's what Michael Thornhill Talent Advisory & Podcast should do to generate more qualified meetings every month.
Lead generation
Focus your outreach on companies that already resemble your best customers—mid-sized renewable developers, EPCs, OEMs, utilities, and project-funded startups already investing in grid infrastructure or utility-scale battery projects, particularly in the US and Canada.
Here is why: These companies value specialist talent advisory and executive coaching in highly technical, regulated industries, increasing your chances of impactful conversations. Use Leadsforge to find similar companies—just filter by company type, size, and stage, and Leadsforge will deliver matching prospects.
Start by targeting followers of competing or peer brands. All you need to do is provide the company name and website of your direct competitors or similar consultancies, and Leadsforge will identify their LinkedIn followers for you.
Here is why: Their followers are likely to be decision-makers and engaged professionals in your target vertical. Share the LinkedIn company page link in Leadsforge and it will find it for you.
Refine your targeting by breaking down your ICP—prioritize hiring managers, Heads of Talent, VPs/Directors of Engineering, Heads of Grid Interconnection, CTOs, and Founders. Filter to companies in the right geographies (US & Canada; TX, CA, NY, PJM region, ON, QC) and relevant business models (developer, EPC, OEM, utility).
Here is why: Sending to a tightly defined ICP gets you higher engagement. You can keep refining these filters in Leadsforge and only reach those most likely to become clients.
Targeting
Segment your outreach lists by:
1) Decision-maker role (Talent/People, Engineering, Project Delivery)
2) Company type (developer, EPC, OEM, utility)
3) Project lifecycle stage (announced, permitted, funded)
4) Region (priority ISOs and provinces)
Here is why: Segmenting allows you to craft messaging that speaks directly to each segment’s pain points, which results in better reply rates and more qualified leads.
Your target market can be split into:
1) Utility-scale BESS developers and integrators
2) Grid interconnection and HV/MV project leads
3) EPC firms focused on renewables
4) OEMs and suppliers in grid-scale infrastructure
5) Utilities and independent power producers working in energy storage
Here is why: Each slice faces unique hiring and leadership challenges. Adjust your outreach copy (and lead magnets) so each vertical sees the value in your expertise.
Monitor these signals to reach out at the right moment:
1) New project announcements or RFPs
2) Fundraising/investment rounds
3) Public hiring sprees (job posts)
4) Regulatory or permitting news
5) Leadership/podcast announcements
Here is why: Timing your outreach around these events positions you as a proactive, knowledgeable partner—and increases reply rates.
Outbound Stack We Recommend:
Every company should choose outbound tools that work specifically for their industry.
Unlimited Linkedin Profiles
ESP Matching for increased delivery
Here’s Why
Salesforge is a powerful platform for multi-mailbox and scaled sales team outreach. For now, as a solo operator, you may not need its complexity. However, as you grow, Salesforge will let you orchestrate more campaigns with ease—worth keeping on the radar if you expand your team or portfolio.
Latest & High Quality Contact Data
Find Competitor’s LinkedIn Page Followers
Highest Data Coverage (10+ Providers)
Find Lookalikes of your Customers
Find Linkedin, Email & Phone Number
Here’s Why
Leadsforge is essential for your sector. It lets you build targeted, up-to-date lists of decision-makers at companies with live projects in relevant regions. Use it to segment your lists by role, company type, and lifecycle stage—so every outreach is hyper-relevant. LinkedIn company pages and competitors’ channel followers can be quickly mapped too: just paste the competitor’s page in Leadsforge, and you’ll have a list ready for outreach.
For your scale, start with Primeforge for personal and discovery emails (using a Google/Outlook account for trust) and Mailforge for bulk or follow-up sequences on warmed shared infrastructure.
Here is why: This combo balances high deliverability and cost. Infraforge is meant for much larger senders and isn’t necessary yet.
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