About this episode

Brent and Sarah Edwards discuss the critical shifts that consulting firms must navigate by 2026, focusing on AI's impact and new pricing models.

In this episode, Brent sits down with Sarah Edwards, Kantata’s Chief Product Strategy Officer, for a practical look at why consulting firms can no longer rely on headcount-driven growth — and how AI is reshaping the traditional talent pyramid. Together, they break down the three critical shifts redefining consulting — and what leaders need to prioritize now to activate smarter resourcing, pricing, and delivery models. Other topics covered in this episode include:  Why rising client expectations are putting pressure on delivery speed, cost, risk, and team capacity How AI is changing consulting talent models, including the shift away from the traditional pyramid structure Why outcome-based pricing, fixed-fee models, and productized services are becoming more important How connected data, trusted systems, and better operational visibility help firms make faster, more confident decisions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More episodes of The Professional Services Pursuit

• Ep. 120 - Outputs vs. Outcomes: Why AI Is Forcing Consulting to Reinvent Itself w/ Tom Rodenhauser · July 2, 2026 · 40 min
• Ep. 119 - Agent Sprawl: Why More AI Is Making Professional Services Harder w/ Michael Speranza & Sarah Edwards · June 16, 2026 · 33 min
• Ep. 118 - Managing Unpredictability in Projects by Closing the Scope-to-Delivery Gap w/ Anish Udayakumar · May 29, 2026 · 25 min

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