Growing competition and market changes drive the demand for business consulting

72% of surveyed enterprises declared that in 2023 they would use external support in the area of ​​HR. This is an increase of 10% compared to the previous year. Data from the "5th edition of the HR analytics survey" leave no doubts - consulting is becoming an increasingly popular development tool for Polish companies.

The modern economic environment is characterized by an unprecedented speed of innovation and changes in business models, as well as the extraordinary complexity of mutual relations and connections of many entities. These trends, combined with the unpredictability of economic cycles and changes in the regulatory environment, make making good business decisions increasingly difficult. In the face of the complex market situation and growing competition, it is worth using the services of experienced advisors.

What is Business Consulting?

Business Consulting is a consulting service aimed at improving the efficiency of the organization and achieving its goals. It includes creating long-term strategies in line with the company's vision, analyzing and improving processes to increase productivity and reduce costs, support in managing changes such as digital transformation or restructuring, identifying areas for improvement and implementing activities to improve the quality of services, ensuring compliance with regulations and effective operational risk management. Additionally, it includes assistance in attracting, retaining and developing the best talent. Thanks to their experience, business consultants provide personalized solutions, helping companies achieve competitive advantage and long-term success.

Crisis in the company - help from a consulting company is recommended

Many companies, after an initial period of business development, reach a point where they stand still and cannot grow any further. A business consultant, thanks to his external, objective view, can help break this deadlock, diagnose problems and develop appropriate solutions. The second category is beginner entrepreneurs, often start-ups, who, due to lack of experience or specific education, do not understand how entrepreneurship works, e.g. in terms of management or marketing.

The world of consulting is moving forward

The rigid patterns and hierarchy of the consulting world are giving way to flexibility and partnership relationships with clients. Today, it is the latter who dictate trends, expecting something more than just professional knowledge. They want partners who understand their business challenges and can deliver personalized, practical immediate and long-term solutions. In the face of growing competition and constantly changing market trends, strategic planning of further development is becoming an increasing challenge for Polish companies. In this dynamic environment, next-generation consulting is emerging as an essential compass, helping companies navigate troubled waters and achieve their goals.

Six pillars of modern consulting

Modern consulting must meet various challenges and customer expectations. New generation consultants focus on relationships, technology, standardization, trust, effectiveness and knowledge to provide the highest quality consulting services. Antal experts list six pillars that constitute the foundation of effective consulting that helps companies achieve their business goals and maintain competitiveness on the market.

1. Advisor

New generation consultants focus on relationships because they ensure understanding of the problem and diagnosing the source of disruptions to the proper functioning of the business. Sometimes the reasons are obvious, sometimes just the opposite. Then the advisor becomes a person of business trust and a synonym for information security. He is able to communicate effectively with clients, actively listen and adapt his services to their individual needs.

Example: Antal's first meeting with company X from the FMCG sector. The key to success was a thorough understanding of the specific nature of the industry and the challenges faced by the client. After several meetings, as a company, we asked for data that the client had not taken into account in his considerations. We analyzed them thoroughly and proposed solutions. They significantly improved logistics processes and increased sales, while having a significant impact on other procedures, generating savings as an additional benefit of cooperation.

2. Technology

It becomes a bridge connecting the consultant with the client. A new generation consultant is not only an expert, but also a strategist and business advisor. He has extensive knowledge and experience in various fields, which allows him to take a holistic view of the organization and identify non-standard solutions. The modern business world is inextricably linked with technologies. The continuous development of digital tools and solutions opens up new opportunities, but also poses challenges for companies to optimize and effectively use technology. In this context, next-generation consulting becomes a technological compass, guiding companies to success in the digital waters of the dynamic tide. New generation consultants go beyond the box and analyze business from different perspectives, which results in increased efficiency and productivity, reduced costs, and improved competitiveness.

3. Standardization

There are no universal solutions. New generation consultants focus on personalizing services tailored to the client's needs. However, for these services to be effective, a standard is needed: diagnostics, analysis, and then solutions and implementation.

Example: The implementation of a dedicated project management platform in company Y from the IT sector improved communication and reduced administrative costs by 12%, even though the client came to Antal looking for savings in the form of job cuts in the back office. The solution allowed employees to keep their jobs and at the same time generated the desired level of expense reduction.

4. Trust

This is the foundation of every relationship. Consultants who act transparently and ethically build credibility and gain customer loyalty. As Antal, we base our cooperation with each recipient on clear and transparent principles. We regularly report on work progress and provide reliable information about any potential conflicts of interest. This builds trust and confidence that the buyer is in good hands. Meetings with clients are not only about discussing current matters. This is the time to build relationships and learn about their evolving needs and expectations. It is from such conversations that the best ideas and solutions are born and adapted on an ongoing basis. A modern advisor is not just an authority or an auditor with the mission of exterminating errors. Empathy, communication and active listening skills are the features that distinguish the best consultants. It is soft skills that allow you to build strong relationships based on mutual understanding, which leads to solutions.

Example: Company Z originally approached Antal with a request to develop an EVP. This request resulted from the headquarters' guidelines. To be able to build value for the company, as an organization we needed data about employees and the company itself. The client trusted us and, despite the resistance of the headquarters, which simply expected the EVP in the form of a document for the files, agreed to conduct engagement and satisfaction surveys. They not only provided material for work on EVP, but also set the azimuth for long-term activities in enterprise Z and other units.

5. Effectiveness

The data clearly shows that next-generation consulting is not only ad hoc help, but a strategic investment in the company's future. Cooperation with experienced consultants can help companies achieve key business goals, such as increasing efficiency, optimizing costs, building strong relationships with customers and creating an engaged team. As many as 80% of the surveyed enterprises rated the quality of consulting services as good or very good. This is a clear signal that companies appreciate the professional knowledge and experience of consultants, as well as their ability to adapt services to individual customer needs. Moreover, 75% of companies plan to continue cooperation with consultants in the coming years. This is proof that new generation consulting brings tangible benefits. 60% of surveyed companies that used consulting services recorded a reduction in costs in the HR area. In turn, 58% of companies saved time thanks to process automation.

6. Knowledge

Knowledge, experience and historical data are the foundation of consulting, especially the new generation. As Antal, we base our activities on reliable analyzes and research, which allows us to provide solutions tailored to the specific needs of our clients. The key to success is a partnership and constructive approach. Almost 30 years of business consulting have allowed us to accumulate extensive knowledge, which is the basis of Antal Business Consulting's activity. Using the global database available within the organization, we provide our clients with access to the latest solutions and best practices from around the world. At Antal, we believe that values ​​such as partnership, commitment and customer orientation are key to effective consulting. The work culture favors building strong relationships based on mutual trust and respect.

Karolina Korzeniewska, Strategic Client Advisor, Antal Business Consulting