Introduction: The Consulting Model Is Breaking
Across industries, companies are rethinking their relationships with consultants. Growth-stage businesses are walking away from traditional firms because they feel misunderstood. Larger enterprises are questioning the value of expensive frameworks that do not fit their reality. More leaders are asking why they are still paying for advice they cannot use.
The old model is still alive, but it is no longer working.
At ON THE MARK, we have never subscribed to that model. We do not show up with a playbook. We do not hand over a binder. And we do not tell you what to do.
We work with your teams to build solutions that fit your business. And we leave behind the capability to keep evolving without us.
The Problem with Prescription
A recent Forbes article called out the failure of one-size-fits-all frameworks in complex organizations. The appeal is obvious. Fast answers. Packaged solutions. The illusion of certainty. But the cost is high. These approaches often ignore context, culture, and the real constraints leaders face.
The result is misalignment, wasted time, and change that does not stick.
We have seen it firsthand. A company adopts a best practice model from a global firm, only to spend the next year undoing the damage. The structure does not fit. The teams are not bought in. And the consultants are long gone.
What We Do Instead
We do not assume. We ask.
We do not prescribe. We co-create.
We do not deliver dependency. We build capability.
Our process is designed to bring your people into the work. That means:
- Mapping how the business actually operates
- Surfacing the real barriers to performance
- Designing solutions with the people who will lead them
This is not about buy-in. It is about ownership.
Why It Works
When people help design the solution, they do not need to be convinced. They already believe in it. They understand it. And they know how to make it work.
That is why our clients do not just get a new org chart. They get a team that is aligned, confident, and ready to lead the change.
And because we build capability along the way, they do not need us to stick around. They can keep evolving on their own.
Conclusion: The Future Is Built, Not Bought
The consulting industry is being forced to change. Clients are tired of being told what to do by people who do not understand their business.
At ON THE MARK, we have always believed that the best solutions come from within. Our job is to help you find them, shape them, and make them real.
If you are ready to redesign how your organization works, we would love to talk.
