Roland Berger: This Is What You Don't Hear About Consulting
Why It Matters
Understanding these hidden pressures helps consulting firms adjust talent strategies and client engagements, ensuring they stay competitive as AI and economic shifts reshape the industry.
Key Takeaways
- •Consulting market faces deep systemic change due to AI.
- •GCC region experiences shifting capital spend and advisory demand.
- •Patience and endurance are essential for consultants entering market.
- •Consulting work often goes unrecognized despite influencing success.
- •Rewards exist, but consultants must manage thankless aspects.
Summary
In a recent Roland Berger briefing, senior partners warned that the consulting landscape—particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—is undergoing a profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence, shifting macro‑economic trends, and a pullback from traditional capital‑intensive advisory projects.
The speakers highlighted three forces reshaping demand: AI‑enabled analytics that automate routine advice, a global slowdown that curtails large‑scale investment programs, and a diversification of client priorities toward digital and sustainability initiatives. As a result, firms must recalibrate business models and accept longer sales cycles.
A recurring theme was the “thankless” nature of the work. As one partner put it, “you’re often there to make someone look good… you rarely get the accolades when those decisions succeed.” Yet the same voice emphasized that perseverance can be rewarding when outcomes materialize.
For practitioners, the message is clear: patience, stamina, and a willingness to embrace AI tools are no longer optional. Firms that set realistic expectations and recognize consultants’ contributions will better retain talent and capture emerging opportunities in a market that rewards resilience.
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