There was a time when only the big consulting firms could claim the upper hand — deep benches of talent, global delivery capabilities, and slick methodologies. For years, that scale was their superpower.
But the game has changed.
Today, a single, experienced independent consultant — equipped with the right mindset and AI tools — can deliver strategic outcomes that rival (and often exceed) what the large firms offer.
I’ve seen it firsthand in my own work as a freelance ICT consultant, advising clients on IT strategy, governance, cyber resilience, cloud adoption, and digital transformation. With 25+ years of experience, I bring the human insight. With AI, I multiply my impact.
The Shift: From Firm to Freelance
The demand for agile, pragmatic consulting has exploded — especially in the wake of COVID-19. Enterprises want value without the bloated cost structures. They want advisors who understand both business context and tech execution.
What they don’t want? Long-winded slide decks, cookie-cutter frameworks, and junior consultants on premium retainers.
Independent consultants, particularly those with executive-level experience, are perfectly placed to deliver on this need. And AI is the force multiplier that turns good into great.
The Modern Toolkit: AI as a Force Multiplier
Here’s how I use AI tools daily to compete with (and outperform) larger consulting teams:
- ChatGPT & Claude – for brainstorming, documentation, research synthesis, and even compliance report drafting. Think disaster recovery plans, IT policies, due diligence frameworks — 10x faster.
- Gemini & Co-pilot – for turning meeting notes into structured insights, actions, and follow-ups.
- Notion AI – for managing my knowledge base, building templates, and rapidly prototyping ideas.
- NotebookLM – to build, maintain and reference my knowledge base and IP
- Quadratic – for next level data and spreadsheet analysis
- Napkin – diagramming and visualisations
With this setup, I can deliver enterprise-grade thinking — without needing an analyst, research assistant, or design team.
Real Client Impact: Faster, Smarter, Sharper
AI isn’t just about productivity. It’s about velocity.
- During a recent ICT assessment for a hedge fund, I generated a full DR plan in 24 hours — complete with asset registers, RTOs/RPOs, and contact directories — by combining my framework with generative AI input.
- In another engagement, I helped a startup develop a fully-fledged platform MVP strategy (user stories, architecture, pitch deck) in under a week.
- I use AI daily to analyse client data, generate governance templates, and simulate strategic options — with precision and speed.
This isn’t cutting corners. It’s working smarter.
What AI Can’t Do — and Why Clients Still Call Me
Despite the hype, AI isn’t going to replace seasoned consultants any time soon. What it can’t do:
- Navigate boardroom politics.
- Interpret cultural nuances during a tough client meeting.
- Make judgment calls in messy, high-risk environments.
- Build trust that opens up real conversations.
These are the soft skills that come with experience. AI amplifies expertise — it doesn’t manufacture it.
The Independent Consultant’s Opportunity
Here’s the real opportunity:
Freelancers who embrace AI are no longer “less than” the firms. With the right systems, we become more than — faster, closer, more personalised, and infinitely more agile.
Whether you’re drafting policies, mapping enterprise architectures, building business cases, or managing a transformation roadmap — AI gives you an edge.
Getting Started: Practical Tips for Freelancers
If you’re a consultant thinking about how to start:
- Pick your tools – Start simple with ChatGPT, Grammarly, and Notion AI.
- Systematise your work – Create prompt libraries and reusable templates.
- Deliver faster – Use AI to shorten the discovery-to-delivery cycle.
- Stay human – Use AI to augment, not replace, your consulting craft.
Final Word
AI is not replacing consultants.
It’s replacing those who refuse to evolve.
For those of us who embrace it, this is a golden era. You can now deliver McKinsey-quality outputs with the freedom of a solo practice. You can serve clients anywhere, at speed, without sacrificing quality or depth.
In 2025, the best consultants won’t be the biggest — they’ll be the smartest.
And the smartest will be AI-enabled.
If you’d like to see how I apply this thinking in practice, visit www.m-konsult.com
Or connect with me on LinkedIn — let’s talk.
