🚀 The Head of Analysis: Seven Success Factors for Consulting Firms 2025–2030

The Swedish consulting industry is undergoing a game-changing shift. Rapid technological development, new regulations, and changing market conditions will demand strategic choices in order to grow — and win — over the next five years.

One person closely following this transformation is Richard Österberg, Head of Analysis at Innovationsföretagen. Using industry data and strategic dialogues with leading players, he has identified seven success factors that will shape consulting firms’ ability to grow and stay relevant through to 2030.

1. Talent Acquisition & Development – Build attractive, learning organizations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The biggest and most crucial success factor is talent acquisition and development. The industry is facing an unprecedented skills shortage, especially in technology, energy, and AI. The winners will be the companies that succeed in becoming magnetic employers, where learning, culture, and clear career paths are central.

2. Digitalization & AI – Efficiency and New Value Models ⭐⭐⭐⭐

AI is no longer the future – it is the present. The ability to automate, streamline, and create entirely new business models through digitalization will distinguish the most profitable consulting firms from those at risk of falling behind. It’s not just about technology – it’s about transforming the way value is delivered.

3. Sustainability & Regulations – Deliver Sustainable Solutions with Measurable Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sustainability issues are shifting from policy documents to customer requirements. Consulting firms that offer measurable and effective sustainability solutions — integrated into their core business — will stay ahead of the curve.

4. Market Diversification – Shift Focus Towards Energy, Industry, and the Public Sector ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A clear trend is the growing demand within energy transition, industrial transformation, and the public sector. Companies that successfully position themselves in these areas can achieve stable growth while spreading risks in an increasingly uncertain market.

5. Profitability & Business Models – Strengthen Margins through Productivity and Smart Pricing ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Increased competition and price pressure demand new ways of working. Consulting firms that successfully combine smart pricing with high productivity will be able to invest in both growth and innovation.

6. Collaboration & Influence – Develop Relationships with Public Sector Clients ⭐⭐⭐

Public sector clients like the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) are becoming key drivers of the transition. Companies that build strong partnerships and influence the development of procurement models will gain a strategic advantage.

7. Resilience – Plan for Volatility and Uncertainty ⭐⭐

The market is more unpredictable than it has been in a long time. Economic fluctuations, geopolitics, and rapid technological development require companies to build resilience and flexibility into their business models.

Consulting firms are entering a new era. Those who successfully balance technological innovation, sustainability, and human expertise will not only survive — but lead the industry’s evolution.

Which of these seven success factors will your company prioritize in 2025?