The traditional consulting model was built for a different era. Large teams, long engagements, comprehensive analyses, thick decks. The output was advice; the client retained full responsibility for execution.
This model served its purpose when information was scarce and analysis was valuable. Today, information is abundant. What's scarce is the capacity to decide and execute.
The Support Board model inverts the consulting approach. Instead of teams of analysts producing recommendations, a small group of senior operators sits alongside leadership, shares in decisions, and owns outcomes alongside the client.
This isn't a criticism of consulting, it's a recognition that different situations require different approaches. When you need comprehensive market analysis, hire a consulting firm. When you need someone to help you decide and execute, you need a Support Board.
Key Points
Consulting produces recommendations; Support Boards produce outcomes
Consulting teams scale with junior resources; Support Boards scale with senior bandwidth
Consulting engagements are project-based; Support Board relationships are ongoing
Consulting creates dependency on analysis; Support Boards build decision-making capability