AI Is Reshaping Consulting | Tinder on Customers

Bonnie Tinder is the founder and CEO of Raven Intelligence, an
independent B2B peer review site that amplifies the voice of the
customer. She focuses on software customers, consulting partners,
and software vendors, and helps identify the best partners for
their needs. In this episode, she joins Bob Evans to talk about
the shifting landscape of enterprise consulting, the rise of
AI-driven delivery models, and what these changes mean for both
firms and customers navigating digital transformation.


Episode 53 | Smaller, Smarter, Faster


The Big Themes:



The Traditional Consulting Model Is Quietly
Collapsing: The traditional consulting model, built on
large teams, playbooks, and high overhead, is no longer viable
in the AI-native era. The shift is not a dramatic crash but a
slow erosion of outdated practices. Customers no longer accept
vague deliverables, bloated staffing, and unclear pricing.
Instead, they demand speed, transparency, and clear outcomes.


Smaller, Nimble Firms Are Positioned to Win:
AI and generative tools are leveling the playing field for
smaller consultancies. Bonnie argues that boutique firms — once
at a disadvantage against the scale of major global
consultancies — can now compete on an equal footing due to AI’s
democratization of data analysis, automation, and service
delivery. These smaller firms often move faster, customize more
effectively, and offer high-touch support without layers of
bureaucracy.


Transparency Is the New Currency of Trust:
Bonnie criticizes large consulting firms for their persistent
lack of transparency. Many resist public reviews, avoid
accountability, and cherry-pick what gets showcased — raising
red flags for discerning clients. She argues that in an era of
instant data and shared experience, opacity is no longer
acceptable. The future of consulting depends on a firm’s
willingness to open itself to scrutiny and prove its worth.



The Big Quote: “The disruption isn't necessarily a slowdown in
the need for consulting. It's just the shift in how technology is
getting delivered. It's in what the value of the consultant is.
It's no longer building codes and the architecture as much as it
is the change management and the ability to help customers make
good, fast decisions."


More from Bonnie Tinder:


Connect with Bonnie on LinkedIn or send a message via
her Acceleration Economy Analyst page.


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