Are consultants worth it? Sometimes. But not all of them earn their fee.
For many founders, bringing in a consultant feels like buying a shortcut. Swipe the card, get the answers, move faster. Yet too many teams end up with a pretty slide deck and no change on the scoreboard. In this episode, Toni and Raul unpack why some consultants unlock real leverage while others burn cash, and they share a simple framework to sort the difference.
We dig into:
The “hammer people” problem—consultants who sell the same playbook to every client.
How to spot real consulting skill (fast analysis, clear communication, execution support).
Why good advisors should push back and say “no” when the founder is off-track.
Pricing signals that matter: transparency, attention, and skin in the game.
The execution gap—why advice alone is worthless without enablement and follow-through.
How lean, AI-driven startups will rely on specialist consultants more, not less, in the next few years.
Main takeaways:
Consulting is a distinct craft, not just recycled operator experience. Look for people who diagnose first, tailor second, and execute with you.
Beware the single-solution expert. Complex problems rarely have one universal fix.
Pushback is healthy. A good consultant challenges assumptions, redirects focus, and clarifies real leverage points.
Price reflects priority. If you pay bargain rates, expect to be the sixth project on their list. Invest when the leverage is clear, negotiate variable components where you can.
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