Rethinking the consulting model: Experience over hierarchy
PA’s Head of Nordics, Henrik Ringgaard Harbo, was interviewed by Børsen Advisor Brief about how consulting firms are evolving and why PA takes a different approach to building teams and delivering value to clients.
In the interview, Henrik explains how PA’s model is designed to help clients navigate complex challenges and achieve real, lasting change.
We can offer a career where you can remain a specialist. That means we do not operate according to the classic ‘up or out’ model. We have extremely skilled consultants who have been here for many years but who do not have direct sales responsibilities.”
He emphasises the importance of experience when working with clients.
“Experience is important for us if we want to create real change and make a positive impact. We do not put people on projects who have not tried similar challenges before, unless we are developing something truly groundbreaking. Otherwise, the people involved are individuals who have done this in industry, or consultants who have worked through similar transformations several times with other clients.”
Henrik also highlights how PA increasingly focuses on value-based delivery.
We would rather be measured on the value we deliver, which is why we increasingly look to be paid in that way.”
Looking ahead, he believes the consulting industry will continue to evolve as client organisations build stronger internal capabilities and new technologies reshape the nature of consulting work.
“Clients today have stronger capabilities internally than they used to. Many hire former consultants themselves or build internal consulting units. At the same time, AI has made some of the analytical work that used to sit with junior consultants far more efficient.”
That is also why I believe the industry as a whole will evolve when it comes to workforce composition.”
Read the full interview in Børsen in Danish.
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