In this episode, we share a preview of our newest research -- the 2026 Consulting Navigator report. The Navigator is a detailed breakdown of the global consulting market, with market size and forecast data as well as ratings and assessments of consulting providers and their capability-building investments. My colleague and report author, Nathan Simon shares details on the rapidly changing consulting landscape.

Most consulting firms are still using AI to do fairly routine and basic tasks. But firms are experimenting and getting a lot closer to what a consulting partner would produce. But will AI replace that expertise?

In this episode, we talk with Professor Joe O'Mahoney, the consultants' consultant. He's been advising firms for more than 20 years, with a particular emphasis on building equity and value for boutique firms. He explains what AI still doesn't do, which is understand the political environment of the client. So as firms narrow their pyramid, that expertise becomes even more important.

Conventional wisdom says top-level partners are the "rainmakers" for consulting firms. David Ryan, founder of Gray Matters Group, tells us that real revenue generation comes from the other 90% of your consulting staff. David has spent the last 20+ years advising professional services firms on how to activate front-line consultants to be your most effective business development team. Host Tom Rodenhauser and David discuss the pragmatic skills, tools, and behaviors that can be immediately applied to provide an immediate revenue boost.