What is Consulting? Consultant Role (+Examples)

In an ever-changing business world, organizations often face the need for specific expertise and fresh experiences, which in-house teams, more often than not, can lack. This is when the need for consultants kicks in. 

Consulting is more than just giving advice. It is a dynamic process where professionals with niche expertise help businesses identify problems, craft strategies, and implement effective solutions to achieve their goals. 

In this article, we will dive deeper into what consulting is and the role of consultants and explore examples for better understanding. So, if you are ready, let’s jump into it. 

What is consulting? 

Before moving further, let’s clarify the definitions. Consulting is a professional service where individuals or consulting firms with specialized expertise in a niche provide advice, strategies, and solutions aimed at helping businesses or other individuals address specific challenges and achieve desired outcomes. 

A typical consultancy process contains phrases such as:

• Discovery. During this phase, the consultant meets with the client to understand their goals and challenges. Discovery involves data collection and revision of existing practices. 
• Analysis and strategy development. The next phase is when the consultant assesses available information to identify key issues and then develops actionable strategies to address those. 
• Implementation. During this phase, spending time on the agreement between the client and the consultant, the expert can help execute recommended strategies by collaborating with the individual or teams. 
• Monitoring and feedback. The last phase is typically the monitoring phase, during which the consultant evaluates the effectiveness of implemented solutions and provides further recommendations. 

For instance, let’s say Tom is a regular worker who wants to build his retirement account and overall wealth. He decided to hire a wealth/finance consultant. Here is how the consultancy process will apply to Tom’s case: 

• Discovery. The consultant discusses details with Tom to discover his financial situation, sources of current income, and goals. 
• Analysis and strategy development. The consultant analyzes Tom’s current savings and his ability to achieve future savings. He then develops a plan that involves addressing savings, investments, cutting costs, multiplying income, and so on. The expert sets financial goals in collaboration with Tom and develops actionable strategies for achieving them. 
• Implementation. The consultant Tom hired helps to implement the strategies and monitors Tom’s progress. 
• Monitoring and feedback. In a few months, the consultant will assess Tom’s progress and efficiency in implementing plans, providing further suggestions for improvements. 

Consultancy myths 

There are a few myths about consultants that we need to break before moving forward. You don’t like rumors about yourself, do you? Well, consultants also don’t appreciate those. 

Myth number one is the one that sends most consultants’ hearts to the hospital… It is that consultancy is simply giving advice. This is ultimately untrue. Advice is part of the process, but consultants play a more hands-on role in implementing solutions, training teams, and ensuring MEASURABLE outcomes. 

Another myth is that consulting is only for big businesses. It is not just for big businesses. In fact, many small-mid-sized organizations and startups could benefit even more from consultancy. Moreover, consultancy is also for individuals who do not own businesses. 

One more myth we will break before moving forward (hope the sound of crunches does not bother you) is that consultants have all the answers upfront. A consultant cannot walk through your front door (or look at your face through the Zoom camera) and fix your life.

First, they need to assess your current situation, and besides efficient consultancy, they must work in collaboration with you or the organization to develop efficient solutions based on your unique needs. 

So, if you plan to become a consultant, make sure you do not believe the above-mentioned consultancy myths. 

Why are consultants hired? 

For someone wondering whether or not to enter the field of consultant, this question might be the first to pop up into the mind, after what consultancy actually is. Well, here are the main reasons people or organizations hire consultants: 

• Expertise. Consultants are experts in specific niches or fields and possess specialized knowledge. 
• Objectivity. An external consultant can be more unbiased and objective in identifying areas for improvement and providing actionable strategies for it. 
• Efficiency. Consultants tend to bring the most innovative methodologies and tools into the process to help accelerate the problem-solving process. 

To understand who consultants are, what they do, and how they do it, let’s take a look at one of the best consultants in the field: Jessica Koch. 

Jessica is a seasoned sales and social media consultant. Jessica’s primary clients are small to medium-sized businesses, especially those struggling with sales processes, lead generation, or visibility in a competitive market. 

Her consulting process includes sales strategy development, team training, and social media overhaul. Her approach is deeply rooted in balancing high-tech solutions with relationship-focused strategies, as sales are often about building the right type of relationships with potential clients. For her, technology amplifies outreach efforts, but the human connection remains central to sales success.

What do consultants do?

Consultants play a key role in guiding individuals and businesses toward their goals. So, let’s take a deeper look at what consultants actually do. 

Assess opportunities for data-driven decisions. 

Number one - consultants assess opportunities for data-driven decisions. This includes using data analytics tools or financial reports to identify patterns and useful insights that can help with further phases of consultancy. 

For instance, a marketing consultant for a retail brand will analyze customer purchasing behavior. This will help the consultant to understand which products are underperforming. Then, leveraging these insights, the consultant will be able to recommend actionable tips on further actions needed to make sales. 

Test assumptions

Everyone has certain assumptions about their challenges and opportunities. Consulatnts help to question these assumptions to get to the core of the problem to either validate or dismiss an assumption that can potentially foster/hinder growth. 

For instance, let’s say you are a personal branding consultant, and your client wants social media branding. The client believes that posting every day on social media will guarantee engagement. 

You, as a consultant and expert in the niche, should challenge this belief, helping the client understand that consistency is not the only factor affecting engagement. By analyzing previous performance, you will be able to recommend tips on improving the value of the posts and delivering actual results. 

Develop strategies

Let’s not forget that consultants are strategists. This means that you must be one, too (if you decide to become a consultant, but even if not, it is still a useful skill for life). 

For instance, let’s take a look at an example of a career consultant (you) who works with a job seeker. The person seeking the job is unable to find a satisfying position and hires you for help. You, as a consultant, are not only responsible for assessing the current situation and pinpointing what he is doing wrong, but you are also responsible for helping him do the right thing by creating an actionable strategy (plan) for finding the job. 

Your strategy can include improving their LinkedIn profile, targeting specific industries, and tailoring the resume for each job to increase the chances of getting hired. Whatever it includes, it is not a single solution. It is a strategy consisting of many solutions that bring results. 

So, make sure you can plan and think ahead. 

Share the possible solutions and encourage taking action

Besides providing solutions, consultants must ensure that clients understand proposed actions. Many consultants provide tools, templates, and other resources that clients need to support the implementation of strategies. 

For instance, a sales consultant might provide a list of useful resources (e.g., email templates) and software solutions for a small business to help them implement the strategies discussed. 

Define the roles of all stakeholders for the common solution

The success of a strategy is closely tied to collaboration. Consultants help define clear roles and responsibilities for everyone involved, especially when they work with teams or organizations. This approach ensures accountability and smooth implementation. 

Think about this scenario. If, as a consultant, you fail to coordinate roles among the team, then how do you expect the strategy to be implemented? Chaotically is the right response. Chaos is good for creativity, but in business, there is a need for structure as well. 

Assist in implementing solutions. 

Consultants also assist in implementing proposed solutions. Yes, you can not simply say do “X” to fix “Y” and disappear from the horizon. It is what it is you chose this job, not me. But, jokes aside, let’s keep focused. 

Assistance in efficiency solution implementation is one of the main responsibilities of consultants. This can involve training staff, setting up new systems, or guiding employees/teams through changes. 

Monitor the whole progress. 

Consultants also track the progress of their proposed strategies, ensuring that they deliver desired client outcomes. Along the way, there might be a need to adjust certain tactics, but to find out what and why, you need to keep a close eye on the process. 

Consulting examples 

Well, as far as we are clear on who consultants are, what they do, and why they do it (more or less), let’s review examples of the best consultants in the current market. 

David Aaker as a brand consultant 

David Aaker is one of the first people to come to mind when we talk about successful consultants. In fact, he is often referred to as the “father of modern branding.” 

David influences how organizations perceive and manage brand equity. His development of the Aaker Model, which views brand equity as a combination of brand awareness, brand loyalty, and brand associations, has become a foundational framework in the field. 

Throughout his career, David has collaborated with multiple organizations and institutions, some of which are under confidentiality agreements. For instance, his works influenced Dunkin’s branding, especially during its rebranding efforts in the 2000s. 

A more famous collaboration is the one with Coca-Cola. Aaker's brand management principles helped Coca-Cola develop a consistent brand image worldwide. He played a role in advising on how to maintain the brand's universal appeal while still addressing local market preferences.

Aaker’s success is attributed to his conceptualization of brand equity and his ability to position brands for long-term success. So, when it comes to what you can learn from him - focus on long-term gains and your own personal branding. 

Clayton Christensen as an innovation consultant

Clayton Christensen was the innovation guru of the modern age. He was a professor at Harvard Business School and one of the leading authorities when it came to innovation and growth. He is best known for his successful development of the “Theory of Disruptive Innovation.” It essentially describes how smaller companies can successfully challenge established organizations. 

Honda is often cited as an example of a company that leveraged Christensen's ideas on innovation, particularly in terms of how Honda disrupted the motorcycle industry with its smaller, fuel-efficient bikes. 

His success comes from his ability to efficiently explain how smaller companies can use innovation to their advantage and compete with established businesses. So, his new and brave approach became the base of his success. 

Michael Porter as a strategy consultant 

One of the top brands Michael worked with is Nestle. I am sure we all love at least something from the food brand, don’t we? Well, at least I know I do; my favorite way to start the day with their yummy… okay, we got off point, let’s focus. 

Using Porter’s Five Forces model, Nestlé refined its strategy to better navigate competitive forces in the food industry and understand how factors like supplier power and buyer power impacted their decision-making. Porter’s advice helped Nestlé expand into new markets and refine its competitive positioning.

Michael is a giant in the field of competitive strategy. His frameworks, including Five Forces and Value Chain analysis, became cornerstones of strategic management. Porter’s success is due to the clarity and applicability of his models in understanding competitive environments.  

So, as a consultant, ensure you are clear and on the point with your advice and solutions. 

FAQ on consulting 

It is time to answer a few frequently asked questions. 

Is advising the same as consulting? What is the difference? 

Advising and consulting are similar in some aspects and completely different in others, so the short answer would be no. Advising is providing general guidance or expertise on the subject. Consulting involves a hands-on approach where the consultant not only gives advice but also actively engages in the implementation of proposed changes and strategies. 

What do consultants actually do? 

Consultants closely collaborate with clients, assessing problems, needs, data, and desired outcomes. Then, based on gathered data, create solutions and help with successful implementation of those. Their role involves providing specialized knowledge, solving complex issues, and improving organizational performance. 

Is consulting a good career? 

Yes, consulting is a good career, but you have to truly love what you do. Consultancy involves lots of problem-solving and working with diverse clients. 

What qualifications are good for consulting? 

As a consultant, it would be great if you possessed an advanced degree like a Master's or MBA and skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and analytics. Overall, you need relevant industry experience and expertise, and depending on what niche you focus on, you may also need additional certifications. 

Can anyone be a consultant? 

In theory, yes, in practice, consultancy requires some level of expertise, experience, and a track record of success in a specific area. Consultants need to be knowledgeable in their field, be able to think critically, and communicate effectively. So, as long as you meet the criteria, you can become a consultant. 

How much can you earn as a consultant? 

Your earning potential as a consultant greatly varies depending on several factors, such as location, reputation, and niche. However, the general estimation is that consultants can earn anywhere between $64,000 to $155,000 annually. If you operate as an independent consultant (business owner), your earning potential will multiply. 

Final thoughts

To summarize this guide, we can say that consultancy is a great industry to jump into. However, you have to be a true expert at whatever niche you pick to be useful in the market and find clients. 

If you decide to proceed with consultancy, then we are also here to help you out. Uteach is an all-in-one solution for consultants and coaches. The platform comes in handy with features such as website & course builder, marketing and sales tools, and many others to help you build and promote your consultancy services across the web. 

In order to learn more about what we have to offer and how we can help you kickstart and expand your consultancy business, schedule a free demo with our team. We’ll be more than happy to help you grow.