“What is a strategy consultant?” It’s one of those questions that can leave people either nodding knowingly or tilting their head in mild confusion. If you’ve ever heard someone describe their job as “strategy consulting” at a networking event, chances are you nodded along politely while secretly thinking, “Right, but what do you actually do?”
Let’s clear it up: a strategy consultant is essentially a business problem solver for hire. They parachute into organisations, armed with spreadsheets, PowerPoint slides, and an arsenal of buzzwords, to tackle complex challenges and help businesses figure out their next big move. Whether it’s breaking into a new market, navigating an economic downturn, or deciding whether to buy out a competitor, strategy consultants are the brains businesses call on when they need an extra dose of clarity and direction.
But don’t be fooled by the polished exterior. Behind the jargon, what strategy consultants do is actually fascinating—and surprisingly hands-on.
The Big Picture Thinkers
At its core, strategy consulting is about helping businesses see the forest for the trees. Companies are often so caught up in day-to-day operations that they struggle to step back and take a bird’s-eye view of where they’re going. That’s where strategy consultants come in. They bring an outsider’s perspective, which is invaluable because they’re not bogged down by office politics, internal blind spots, or “the way things have always been done.”
Say a mid-sized retail chain wants to expand. Should they open more stores in their existing regions or try their luck in international markets? Should they double down on e-commerce, or is brick-and-mortar still king? These are big, hairy questions with no obvious answers. A strategy consultant digs into the data, analyses the trends, and delivers a plan that’s bold enough to be game-changing but grounded enough to be achievable.
Problem Solvers with a Data Obsession
If you picture strategy consultants sitting in trendy cafés brainstorming on whiteboards, you’re only half right. Yes, there’s a lot of brainstorming, but there’s also a staggering amount of data crunching.
Strategy consultants don’t just rely on gut feelings—they love numbers. Revenue reports, market share data, customer feedback surveys, and competitor benchmarks all get fed into their analysis machine. They build models, run scenarios, and look for patterns that tell them what’s really going on.
For example, if a company’s sales are tanking, a strategy consultant won’t just blame it on “bad marketing” or “changing customer preferences.” They’ll dig deeper. Is the pricing off? Has the competition launched a better product? Are customers unhappy with delivery times? Every hypothesis gets tested until the root cause is uncovered.
The Art of the Recommendation
Once the analysis is done, strategy consultants don’t just dump a pile of data on the client’s desk and say, “Good luck!” They craft a strategy—a clear, actionable plan that addresses the problem and sets the client on the path to success.
This is where the real magic happens. Strategy consultants are masters of distillation. They take complex ideas, boil them down into digestible insights, and present them in a way that makes people nod in agreement and say, “Why didn’t we think of that?”
Their recommendations aren’t plucked out of thin air. They’re backed by data, case studies, and best practices from similar industries. And they’re tailored to the client’s specific situation, whether it’s streamlining operations, rethinking the product portfolio, or entering a high-growth market.
Not Just for Big Corporates
Strategy consultants are often associated with massive firms and blue-chip companies, but their services aren’t limited to the Fortune 500. Small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and even nonprofits can benefit from their expertise.
A startup founder, for instance, might hire a strategy consultant to figure out the best way to scale their business without running out of cash. A family-owned business might bring one in to navigate a tricky succession plan. And a nonprofit might use strategy consulting to maximise their impact with limited resources.
The beauty of strategy consulting is that it’s adaptable. Whatever the challenge, there’s a consultant out there who can help solve it.
The Truth About Those Buzzwords
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the jargon. Strategy consultants are known for throwing around phrases like “synergy,” “value proposition,” and “disruptive innovation.” While it can sound a bit over the top, these buzzwords aren’t just for show—they’re shorthand for complex ideas that are hard to sum up in plain English.
But the best strategy consultants know when to drop the jargon and talk like a human. After all, their job isn’t just to impress; it’s to communicate, persuade, and get buy-in from the people who’ll actually implement their recommendations.
Why Businesses Love—and Sometimes Fear—Them
Strategy consultants are often seen as heroes, swooping in to save the day with brilliant insights and clear direction. But let’s be honest: not everyone loves them.
For some employees, the arrival of a strategy consultant triggers a bit of anxiety. Will they recommend layoffs? Will they disrupt the status quo? Will they point out all the things we’ve been doing wrong?
Good consultants handle this with finesse. They don’t just point fingers or create chaos—they work collaboratively, ensuring everyone feels heard and involved. The best strategies are the ones that empower teams to embrace change, not resist it.
In short, a strategy consultant is the person businesses call when they’re stuck, confused, or facing a major crossroads. They’re part detective, part problem-solver, and part storyteller. And while their methods might sometimes seem mysterious, their impact is anything but. Whether it’s helping a company go global, pivot during a crisis, or just figure out what the heck to do next, strategy consultants are there to provide clarity, confidence, and a way forward.
Stuck at a crossroads? Contact us today to start crafting a strategy that drives results.