When Bigger Isn’t Better
Imagine this: you’ve just invested tens of thousands of dollars with a big-name consulting firm. You’ve endured months of meetings, lengthy slide decks, and promises of transformational change.
But when it’s all over, you’re left with a generic plan that doesn’t address your unique challenges—and no clear way forward.
This is exactly the situation a mid-sized business with 1,500 employees found themselves in. They turned to us after their experience with a multinational consulting firm left them frustrated, stuck, and uncertain about their next steps.
Their story highlights a dilemma that many mid-sized businesses face: Should we trust the big firm? Should we try to solve this internally? Or is there another option—one that’s more personalized and focused on our needs?
Here’s how we helped them find the clarity, guidance, and results they needed—when no one else could.
The Problem: A Costly Engagement with Little to Show for It
This company had partnered with a well-known, large consulting firm to develop a strategy they hoped would improve efficiency and align their teams. The firm’s name carried weight, and they assumed its size and reputation would translate into results.
Instead, their experience revealed some major pitfalls of working with large consulting firms:
They felt like just another account. As one of hundreds of clients the firm served, their business was treated as just another number. The firm applied a cookie-cutter approach, delivering a “strategy” that could have been handed to any company in any industry.
The cost was staggering. They paid a premium for a global brand, but the solutions didn’t justify the expense. The engagement felt more focused on upselling services than solving real problems.
Overhead and bureaucracy slowed things down. With layers of consultants running the day-to-day, decisions were slow, impersonal, and disconnected from their actual needs.
No real guidance or follow-through. The firm delivered a high-level strategy, but it lacked diagnostics and actionable steps. When it came time to implement, they were left to figure it out on their own.
Ultimately, the engagement left them feeling disillusioned—and still struggling with inefficiencies and misaligned priorities.
The Solution: A Boutique Firm That Made Them a Priority
When they turned to us, the first thing they asked was, “How will your approach be different?” Our answer was simple: we put clients first.
Unlike large firms that juggle thousands of accounts, we work with a small number of clients at a time—meaning every client is treated as a priority.
Here’s how we approached their challenges:
We Started with a Deep Dive: Instead of applying a pre-packaged framework, we dug deep to understand their unique situation. We facilitated workshops with key stakeholders, analyzed their operations, and uncovered the root issues driving inefficiencies and misaligned efforts.
We Delivered a Custom Solution: We built a strategy tailored specifically to their needs. Every recommendation aligned with their goals, culture, and budget, ensuring the plan wasn’t just actionable but realistic and effective.
We Guided Them Through Implementation: Unlike their previous experience, we didn’t leave them to figure out the execution on their own. We partnered with their team every step of the way, providing hands-on guidance to ensure the strategy was implemented smoothly and successfully.
We Treated Them Like a Partner: To us, they weren’t just another engagement—they were a priority. Because we only work with a handful of clients at a time, they had direct access to senior-level expertise throughout the entire process. Every interaction was personal, thoughtful, and focused on helping them succeed.
The Results: Clarity, Alignment, and Real Outcomes
By the end of our engagement, this company achieved the results they had been hoping for all along:
Clear strategic priorities: Their leadership team was aligned on where to focus investments for maximum impact.
Improved operations: The strategy addressed inefficiencies at their root, resulting in better collaboration and productivity across teams.
Confidence in execution: With our hands-on support, they moved forward with clarity and purpose, confident in the path ahead.
But beyond the measurable outcomes, what mattered most to them was the experience. For the first time, they felt truly heard and supported—something they hadn’t experienced with the larger firm.
Why Doing Nothing Isn’t Free
This story highlights a critical reality for many mid-sized businesses: the cost of doing nothing is often higher than the cost of getting it right.
Whether it’s inefficiencies, misaligned strategies, or opportunities slipping through the cracks, inaction can quietly erode your organization’s potential. And while it’s tempting to trust a big-name consulting firm, bigger doesn’t always mean better—especially if your business is treated like just another account.
Why Boutique Firms Deliver Bigger Impact
At StrengthsInsights, we take a different approach. We focus on delivering high-impact solutions tailored to your unique challenges—not cookie-cutter frameworks or generic advice.
Here’s why mid-sized businesses choose us:
Personalized Attention: You’re not one of thousands of clients. You’re one of a select few we work with at a time, meaning you’re always a priority.
Expertise Without the Overhead: With a lean structure, we dedicate senior-level talent to your business without the bloated costs of a large firm.
Results That Stick: We don’t just hand you a plan and walk away. We stay to help you implement it, ensuring measurable outcomes and long-term success.
What’s Holding Your Business Back?
If you’ve been frustrated by a lack of results—or hesitant to bring in outside help—we’re here to show you there’s a better way.
Schedule a no-pressure consultation today, and let’s explore how we can help you achieve the outcomes you’ve been looking for.
