What It Is
There's a fundamental shift in what companies want from external support. The demand is moving from consultants who advise to operators who deliver.
Why It Matters
Advice is abundant. What's scarce is the combination of senior judgment and willingness to own outcomes. Companies want people who will make decisions, not just recommend them.
Industry Signal
We consistently hear frustration with traditional consulting: 'They gave us a great deck, but nothing changed.' The expectation has shifted to accountability.
Implications for Companies
External support must be willing to own outcomes
Advisory models without execution support are losing relevance
Operators bring credibility that pure advisors lack
The line between internal and external leadership is blurring