Agile is here, but it takes time to get used to it and despite of the fact that a lot of companies want to start using agile it doesn’t really work for everybody at this point.

Irina Koulikova Manager Bain & Company

small and agile is the future

Daniele Vanzanelli Principal @ Arthur D. Little

Our client’s requirements are changing; they are looking for something more digital, agile, cost efficient, big data driven

Irina Koulikova Manager Bain & Company

now its all about getting to value faster - making things happen

Alan A

specialization is more and more required. Companies do not invest anymore too much money in consulting services so they want ready-to-use solutions or real experts who get the point in a few time. Ready-to-use solutions can be provided only by consulting companies

Daniele Vanzanelli Principal @ Arthur D. Little

only those will succeed who have deep industry specific expertise and very focused offerings to deliver quick business impacts to clients.

Sumant Parimal Partner and Chief Analyst of '5 Jewels Research' at Innogress, Also Partner at Stark Consulting Services Inc.

A trend though is for the bigs to acquire and or partner with the smaller, try not to smother them (not easy) to provide both where specialization require the small and nimble versus a grand, expansive software implementation.

Adam Malofsky, PhD Elemence - Help, Listen & Learn - $2.5B products sold/yr - $70mm+ raised - Collaborator, Coach, Innovator & Advisor

I don't think boutique consulting shops pose serious competition. But they do make them look old fashioned and sluggish at times

Bart Groenewoud Consulting, Learning & Development, Workshop Facilitation

As a consultant it is fundamental to develop emphaty to understand the toughts of the customers and what they would like but are not able to clearly express

Paolo Beffagnotti Brand Protection Digital Manager

True empathy for your client is an absolute requirement for a career in management consulting

Bart Groenewoud Consulting, Learning & Development, Workshop Facilitation

we like people who get dirty, who get in the shop, the lab, the field.

Adam Malofsky, PhD Elemence - Help, Listen & Learn - $2.5B products sold/yr - $70mm+ raised - Collaborator, Coach, Innovator & Advisor

They should have held jobs in several areas so that they have a good knowledge of how to get things done and experience in solving multiple problems.

Lisa Hendrickson Consultant & Board of Directors Member

Significant expertise in a certain area (“be famous’’ in something)

Irina Koulikova Manager Bain & Company

Being an expert in your field. Someone that clients can depend on and consider a true innovator and knowledge creator in the field.

Fehmida Kapadia Helping organizations adopt a customer-centric approach to manage their innovation and marketing strategy.

i actually think that AI would be a helpful tool

alex magid More than 30 years of business and IT experience

be ready to compete/ co-work with AI based virtual Business Analysts

Sumant Parimal Partner and Chief Analyst of '5 Jewels Research' at Innogress, Also Partner at Stark Consulting Services Inc.

Communication is key for good consultants not only for information exchange but also to clearly understand the needs of their clients.

Fehmida Kapadia Helping organizations adopt a customer-centric approach to manage their innovation and marketing strategy.

In my experience, communication trumps all other skills.

Andrei Luchici Advisor & Trainer - Artificial Intelligence

Let's speak up, don't be "shy" or it is impossible to provide with the right advice

Paolo Beffagnotti Brand Protection Digital Manager

Another skill that I value is courage

Andrei Luchici Advisor & Trainer - Artificial Intelligence

To be a value added consultant one must stay current

Lisa Hendrickson Consultant & Board of Directors Member

I think small consulting firms have greater flexibility to be innovative

Fehmida Kapadia Helping organizations adopt a customer-centric approach to manage their innovation and marketing strategy.

Innovation is key otherwise a company might not need the consultant’s services

Lisa Hendrickson Consultant & Board of Directors Member

Business Value (impact on customers business) as well as ethical value with highest levels of professionalism, transparency, integrity and trustworthiness are going to be leading attributes of consultants and consulting firms, ranking above brand value and technical know how.

Sumant Parimal Partner and Chief Analyst of '5 Jewels Research' at Innogress, Also Partner at Stark Consulting Services Inc.

I believe it is very important that the consultant should earn trust of his/her client

Nimesh Shah Director Internal Audit

A holistic, persistent view of the ecosystems within which we play and are influenced means everything

Adam Malofsky, PhD Elemence - Help, Listen & Learn - $2.5B products sold/yr - $70mm+ raised - Collaborator, Coach, Innovator & Advisor

The big picture is definitely important. In a sense, it is why people hire consultants. However, it is also important to be able to translate that big picture vision into digestible bite-sized information and actions.

Andrei Luchici Advisor & Trainer - Artificial Intelligence

Aligning with thought leaders and experts of the industry can keep consultants relevant and connected with industry.

Sumant Parimal Partner and Chief Analyst of '5 Jewels Research' at Innogress, Also Partner at Stark Consulting Services Inc.

Seek out innovative thinkers in multiple industries

Lisa Hendrickson Consultant & Board of Directors Member

Geographical (cultural) differences and generational differences both impact each other and we have to be able to successfully navigate them.

Fehmida Kapadia Helping organizations adopt a customer-centric approach to manage their innovation and marketing strategy.

cultural difference, work place differences, and country laws govern how projects are successfully developed and executed

Lisa Hendrickson Consultant & Board of Directors Member

If a MC company establishes a culture of continuous constructive feedback, I believe this will foster personal and professional growth as well as lead to empathy.

Bart Groenewoud Consulting, Learning & Development, Workshop Facilitation

Continuous education through micro learning is another great asset to the modern management consultant.

Giovanni Giazzon Management, Technology & Innovation

As consultants we have to be able to speak the language of the millennials as well as the baby boomers. We must be versatile, flexible and adaptable to do this

Fehmida Kapadia Helping organizations adopt a customer-centric approach to manage their innovation and marketing strategy.

creating a digital footprint of your expertise is key these days.

Lisa Hendrickson Consultant & Board of Directors Member

writing a book also supports. It not only resumes your knowledge and philosophy, but is a great help for yourself as to acquire knowledge your have to invest time to investigate.

Patrick Henz Head of GRC US, Regional Compliance Officer Americas, Futurist, Storyteller, AI.

Thanks everyone for the valuable discussions and the commitment, this was a great panel!!

Paolo Beffagnotti Brand Protection Digital Manager

I would like to thank Facilitator and sponsors of this panel for inviting me into this panel.

Sumant Parimal Partner and Chief Analyst of '5 Jewels Research' at Innogress, Also Partner at Stark Consulting Services Inc.

It as a honor and pleasure to be part of this panel, where I learnt a lot from all participants!!

Patrick Henz Head of GRC US, Regional Compliance Officer Americas, Futurist, Storyteller, AI.

Thank you everyone! It was an interesting topic and discussion!

Irina Koulikova Manager Bain & Company