Business strategists and consultants are both professionals who provide advice and guidance to organizations to help them achieve their goals. However, there are some key differences between the two roles:
Strategists
A business strategist is focused on developing long-term plans and strategies for an organization. Their role involves:
- Analyzing internal and external environments to identify opportunities and threats
- Crafting multi-year strategic plans and roadmaps
- Setting vision, mission, values, and goals
- Identifying strategies for growth, competitiveness, and sustainability
- Leading strategy development processes
- Aligning strategies with organizational culture and identity
Strategists take a big picture, birds-eye view of the organization. They are focused on strategic thinking, planning and management. Strategists ask “where do we want to be?” and “how will we get there?”.
Consultants
A business consultant is focused on solving specific problems or identifying opportunities for improvement. Their role involves:
- Diagnosing problem areas and performance gaps
- Conducting specialized research and analysis
- Providing advice, plans and tactical recommendations
- Implementing solutions, systems, or organizational changes
- Building capabilities through coaching and training
- Managing projects and leading implementations
Consultants take a hands-on, tactical approach. They work on discrete projects, often executing or overseeing implementation. Consultants ask “what problems need solving?” and “how can we build capabilities?”.
Qualifications
Here are some typical qualifications for each role:
Business Strategist | Business Consultant |
---|---|
MBA or master’s degree in strategy, business admin, etc. | MBA or master’s degree in relevant field |
5+ years strategy experience | 5+ years consulting experience |
Expert strategist and facilitator | Expert analyst and problem-solver |
Stakeholder management skills | Project management skills |
Strong communicator, presenter | Strong communicator, collaborator |
Creative, visionary, disruptive thinking | Practical, pragmatic, tactical thinking |
While strategists tend to have skills in long-term visioning and planning, consultants tend to have specialized expertise in analysis, problem-solving and implementation of solutions.
How They Add Value
Both strategists and consultants add significant value to organizations in different ways:
Value of Business Strategists
- Provide fresh perspective and objectivity
- Bring strategy expertise and facilitation skills
- Align organization around vision and strategy
- Spark creative, disruptive innovation
- Position organization for evolution and growth
- Build competitive advantage and sustainability
Value of Business Consultants
- Solve pressing business problems
- Identify improvement opportunities
- Enhance operational performance
- Implement solutions and drive adoption
- Build capabilities through training
- Reduce costs, increase efficiency
- Manage risk and compliance
Strategists focus more on leadership, vision and planning, while consultants focus on practical solutions, capabilities and implementation.
When to Use Each
Here are some guidelines on when to use a strategist vs. a consultant:
Leverage business strategists when:
- Seeking an integrated strategic plan
- Developing long-term vision and direction
- Defining business strategy and positioning
- Aligning the organization around strategy
- Looking to grow, expand, or take on new opportunities
- Disrupting the status quo or industry
Leverage business consultants when:
- Needing to solve a specific business problem
- Identifying operational inefficiencies
- Implementing new systems, technologies, or processes
- Improving organizational performance
- Building capabilities through training and coaching
- Managing complex initiatives and projects
Strategists are best utilized for future visioning and planning, while consultants are best for tackling current challenges and opportunities.
Collaboration Between Strategists and Consultants
Here are some ways strategists and consultants can work together to create maximum value:
- Strategists develop long-term plan, consultants execute key initiatives
- Consultants identify performance gaps, strategists shape strategy to address
- Strategists craft vision and positioning, consultants ensure alignment
- Consultants provide industry expertise to inform strategic planning
- Strategists design transformation roadmap, consultants manage rollout
Collaborating allows strategists and consultants to leverage their complementary strengths. Strategists provide the big picture view while consultants tackle the specifics to drive strategic success.
Conclusion
In summary, business strategists focus on long-term strategic planning while business consultants focus on solving immediate, tactical problems. Strategists think about the “what” and “why” of strategy, while consultants focus on the “how” of implementation. Organizations can benefit from leveraging both strategists and consultants, either separately or collaboratively, to drive success.