Bonnie Tinder is the founder and CEO of Raven Intelligence, an independent B2B peer review site that amplifies the voice of the customer. She focuses on software customers, consulting partners, and software vendors, and helps identify the best partners for their needs. In this episode, she joins Bob Evans to talk about the shifting landscape of enterprise consulting, the rise of AI-driven delivery models, and what these changes mean for both firms and customers navigating digital transformation.
Episode 53 | Smaller, Smarter, Faster
The Big Themes:
- The Traditional Consulting Model Is Quietly Collapsing: The traditional consulting model, built on large teams, playbooks, and high overhead, is no longer viable in the AI-native era. The shift is not a dramatic crash but a slow erosion of outdated practices. Customers no longer accept vague deliverables, bloated staffing, and unclear pricing. Instead, they demand speed, transparency, and clear outcomes.
- Smaller, Nimble Firms Are Positioned to Win: AI and generative tools are leveling the playing field for smaller consultancies. Bonnie argues that boutique firms — once at a disadvantage against the scale of major global consultancies — can now compete on an equal footing due to AI’s democratization of data analysis, automation, and service delivery. These smaller firms often move faster, customize more effectively, and offer high-touch support without layers of bureaucracy.
- Transparency Is the New Currency of Trust: Bonnie criticizes large consulting firms for their persistent lack of transparency. Many resist public reviews, avoid accountability, and cherry-pick what gets showcased — raising red flags for discerning clients. She argues that in an era of instant data and shared experience, opacity is no longer acceptable. The future of consulting depends on a firm’s willingness to open itself to scrutiny and prove its worth.
The Big Quote: “The disruption isn’t necessarily a slowdown in the need for consulting. It’s just the shift in how technology is getting delivered. It’s in what the value of the consultant is. It’s no longer building codes and the architecture as much as it is the change management and the ability to help customers make good, fast decisions.”
More from Bonnie Tinder:
Connect with Bonnie on LinkedIn or send a message via her Acceleration Economy Analyst page.
