At our latest Tech Leaders’ Lunch, hosted at Caravan, the conversation focused on a pressing issue for many tech leaders: how to escape the consultancy cycle.
With teams juggling complex projects and ever-tightening budgets, turning to a consultancy partner often feels like the perfect quick fix. But what starts as a practical solution to bridge skills gaps can evolve into a cycle of dependency, where rising costs, knowledge drains, and stalled internal growth threaten long-term success.
The session, led by Amul Batra, Managing Director at Counter, brought together tech leaders to explore how partnerships can evolve from transactional to transformative.
Here are the five key takeaways from the day.
5 Key Takeaways
1. Long-Term Gain Requires Short-Term Pain
Consultancies can offer stability and immediate relief, but over-reliance can keep teams in a holding pattern, prioritizing operational support over strategic advancement. Breaking free often requires short-term discomfort as teams transition to greater self-sufficiency.
Key Insight: Consultancy partners should empower your teams to solve problems independently, not perpetuate dependency.
Next Step: Audit your current consultancy commitments and identify where gaps in internal capability can be addressed. Gradually shift critical knowledge back in-house to build resilience.
2. Start With The End In Mind
When bringing in external support, clarity on the partnership’s lifecycle is crucial. Without an exit strategy, even the best relationships can outstay their welcome, leading to bloated costs or lost internal expertise.
Key Insight: Knowledge transfer and team development should be baked into every partnership from the start.
Next Step: Set clear expectations and timelines for handovers. Build deliverables around fostering internal capability, even if it means adjusting project goals.
3. Cookie Cutter Solutions Don’t Cut It
While best practices can be a helpful starting point, no two businesses are alike. Partners should go beyond generic strategies to design tailored solutions that meet your specific needs.
Key Insight: A one-size-fits-all approach can limit innovation and fail to address your unique challenges.
Next Step: Challenge partners to dig deep into your requirements and craft bespoke solutions. Where possible, adopt value-focused payment models that prioritize impact over time spent.
4. Innovation Should Solve Problems, Not Create Them
The allure of innovation can sometimes cloud judgment, leading to scope creep or misaligned priorities. The question at every stage should be: What problem are we solving?
Key Insight: Avoid being distracted by shiny solutions that don’t align with your core goals.
Next Step: Keep the focus on solving the root issue. Allow for flexibility as project needs evolve, but resist unnecessary expansions that dilute value.
5. What Got You Here Might Not Get You There
While external support will always play a role, leaning on one partner for every aspect of your strategy can stifle growth and innovation. Instead, consider a best-of-breed approach, bringing in multiple partners with distinct strengths.
Key Insight: Healthy competition among partners can drive better outcomes and ensure alignment with your evolving needs.
Next Step: Build a network of specialized partners who share your values and ways of working. Balance external support with investments in internal team growth.
Time to Rethink the Consultancy Cycle
For too long, consultancy partners have been treated as a crutch for day-to-day tasks. It’s time for a shift. By investing in internal teams and redefining partnerships as catalysts for innovation, tech leaders can create self-sufficient, resilient organisations ready to thrive in a rapidly changing market.
A final thanks to the team at Caravan for the fantastic food and inspiring setting, and to Amul Batra for facilitating such an insightful discussion. If you’d like to join our next Tech Leaders’ Lunch, get in touch or sign up to our newsletter for updates.
