Strategy Consulting Explained :
Challenges, Benefits, and Perspectives
Definition and key challenges of strategy consulting
Strategy consulting supports executives in their most structuring decisions.
Its objective is to identify performance levers through in-depth analysis of the business reality and data, in order to build a clear vision for the short, medium and long term. This strategic work makes it possible to define concrete action plans to achieve the objectives set.
Who is strategy consulting for?
This type of support is aimed at all types of organisations, large corporations, SMEs, mid-sized companies and public-sector bodies. It is used in a wide range of contexts, including change management, restructuring, transformation, interim management and performance optimisation.
What are the key challenges of strategy consulting?
The stakes are critical : better anticipation of market developments, optimisation of resource allocation, clarification of roles and responsibilities, strengthened competitiveness, and sustainable improvement in profitability.
In this context, the consulting firm acts as a catalyst: providing a rigorous methodology, an external perspective and strong sector references to turn analysis into informed and lasting decisions.
Key missions of a strategy consulting firm
A strategy consulting firm intervenes at pivotal moments in an organisation’s lifecycle. It supports executives in defining their direction, identifying performance levers, and implementing the transformations required to strengthen their market position.
Its mission is built on three core pillars :
Rigorous analysis
An independent perspective
The ability to translate complexity into clear, actionable decisions
Its interventions cover a wide range of challenges
Defining an ambitious and differentiating strategic vision
Identifying growth and innovation drivers
Rethinking business and operating models
Leading large-scale organisational or technological transformations
Providing benchmarks, methodologies and sector insights to accelerate decision-making
By immersing itself at the heart of its clients’ challenges and working closely with executive teams, the consulting firm acts as a trusted, results-oriented partner, capable of creating the conditions for change and delivering lasting impact.
A proven methodology :
from strategic audit to operational transformation
The success of a consulting engagement relies on a structured approach combining in-depth analysis, co-creation with teams, rigorous steering and on-the-ground implementation.
Objective : Turn strategic vision into measurable, sustainable results fully aligned with the organisation’s ambitions.
Our methodology is structured around 4 key stages.
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1. Audit / Analysis / Active Listening
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2. Defining Strategic Priorities
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3. Building the Action Plan
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4. Implementation Support
Targeted analysis of the internal and external environment to identify :
- Key strengths to preserve, forming the foundations of current performance;
- Actionable levers, generating short-term quick wins;
- Critical obstacles, to be addressed with teams over the medium term.
This phase establishes a clear, shared, and immediately actionable diagnosis.
Based on the diagnosis, the priority directions are co-developed :
- Target vision;
- Key challenges;
- Strategic trade-offs.
This step aligns stakeholders around a clear, differentiated, and realistic direction.
Concrete translation of the strategy into operational initiatives :
- Roadmap;
- Timeline;
- Resources;
- Success indicators.
Each action is prioritized based on its impact, feasibility, and estimated cost, in close collaboration with the finance function.
The objective : ensure the plan’s financial sustainability and optimize resource allocation.
Active, hands-on involvement in the field :
- Steering initiatives;
- Upskilling teams;
- Change management;
- Results tracking.
This phase is both learning-oriented and empowering : it enables teams to take ownership of tools, strengthen their capabilities, and develop greater autonomy in execution.
The objective : ensure effective execution, lasting impact, and a stronger internal dynamic.
Strategy consulting and digital transformation
In the digital era, digital transformation has become a critical lever for competitiveness and resilience.
Strategy consulting now fully integrates this dimension into all strategic thinking :
- Evolution of business models towards more hybrid and service-oriented offerings
- Digitalisation of key processes to improve efficiency, traceability and responsiveness
- Deployment of an agile culture, fostering continuous innovation and rapid adaptation
- Data-driven governance, to inform decision-making and maximise the impact of actions
Adapting strategy to the realities of each sector
At CMPO, we are convinced that no transformation can be effective without a deep understanding of on-the-ground realities and a holistic view of the organisation.
We design our strategies by taking into account the specific dynamics of each sector, addressing both operational challenges and cultural dimensions.
Our strength : a tailored approach based on active listening at all levels, and continuous connecting the dots between functions, hierarchical layers and business challenges.
This cross-functional work spans all key performance dimensions: strategy, finance, commercial, retail, supply chain, HR, architecture, merchandising, visual merchandising, marketing and communication.
Objective : to rebuild a clear, coherent and actionable vision.
Discover a selection of our interventions by sector
FASHION
In a sector under constant pressure between image, speed, and profitability, we help brands strike the right balance between creative agility and structural strength.
Beyond collection and positioning challenges, our assignments aim to connect the dots across the company’s various functions and levels. We analyze organizations holistically, from design studios to points of sale, to identify synergies, eliminate friction, shorten cycles, and clarify responsibilities.
This cross-functional perspective enables effective action on the organization’s core issues: strategy, finance, sales, retail, supply chain, HR, architecture, merchandising, visual merchandising, marketing, and communication, through a tailored, pragmatic, and results-driven approach.
Jewellery
We support jewelry houses in preserving their singularity while steering controlled growth. This involves managing exclusivity, ensuring brand image consistency across international markets, and delivering excellence in customer experience.
On an operational level, we work on optimizing retail networks by deploying coherent global initiatives such as service standards, training, and commercial operations, while maintaining fine-tuned, differentiated management at each point of sale.
Our approach is based on transversal “connecting the dots”, linking strategy, merchandising, visual merchandising, architecture, finance, supply chain, HR, marketing, and communication. The goal is to unlock the right performance levers, both locally and globally.
GASTRONOMY
In a highly competitive sector facing constant pressure on costs, labor, and differentiation, we support the structuring of networks, the formalization of concepts, the professionalization of operations, and performance control.
Whether working with growing brands, established groups, or independent restaurants, our support focuses on strengthening positioning clarity, enhancing the customer experience, and securing the economic robustness of business models, with particular attention to offer readability and the accuracy of marketing messaging.
Hospitality
We support hotels and hotel groups in their move upmarket, the improvement of profitability, and the strengthening of the guest experience.
Our interventions cover offer strategy, service standard definition, optimization of occupancy rates and revenues, as well as team engagement around a culture of detail and guest loyalty.
We tailor our recommendations to the nature of each establishment, whether independent, chain-operated, boutique hotel, or resort, with a strong focus on alignment between positioning, brand promise, execution, and communication.
Steering, governance and risk management
An effective strategy requires governance and steering to match its ambition. Once the action plan has been validated, CMPO supports its operational implementation by integrating at the heart of the organisation, alongside internal teams. Our objective is to build it together.
Our approach is designed for the medium term, typically 6 to 18 months, to co-create with our partner a sustainable transformation that combines change management, strengthened governance, continuous performance improvement and long-term value creation.
We establish a robust steering framework, including :
- Clear and regular governance committees
- Operational and strategic performance indicators
- Agile and shared budgetary decision-making
- Proactive risk assessment with appropriate mitigation and control plans
This framework enables :
- Smooth strategic dialogue between leadership teams
- Real-time adjustments based on observed results
- Early anticipation of deviations and securing of critical resources
Indicators and measurement of strategic performance
The value of a consulting engagement is measured by its results. From the outset, we co-create with our clients an evaluation framework based on clear and measurable indicators to monitor the real impact of the actions implemented.
Our approach combines immediate effectiveness with deep transformation. As early as the audit phase, validated quick wins are implemented without delay to generate rapid, visible results, boost team engagement and initiate ROI within the first few weeks.
In a second phase, during the deployment of the main action plan, we activate long wins: high-impact structural levers designed to embed transformation sustainably and deliver a second wave of enhanced performance.
Key indicators typically monitored include :
- Revenue and/or margin growth
- Adoption rate of changes by teams
- Internal NPS and employee satisfaction
- Cost reduction and/or efficiency improvement
- ROI of deployed strategic initiatives
Strategic innovation : thinking beyond the framework to create value
In a constantly evolving environment – technological, societal and environmental – innovation is no longer an option; it is a condition for long-term sustainability. At CMPO, we approach every assignment with an entrepreneurial mindset, driven by the ambition to deliver real, measurable impact. This also means stepping outside established frameworks, challenging routines and testing new, sometimes unexpected, approaches.
Beyond traditional action plans, we help our clients cultivate an innovation mindset, dare to reinvent their models, and build distinctive, tailor-made trajectories aligned with their ambitions.
Our objectives in a strategic innovation approach :
Identifying weak signals to turn emerging trends into concrete growth opportunities
Designing new business models that support sustainable growth
Strengthening the value proposition by innovating across services, use cases and distribution channels, closely aligned with customer expectations
Fostering a culture of positive experimentation that values agility, continuous learning and collective boldness
How CMPO supports this dynamic :
Facilitating immersive strategic design workshops
Developing differentiated future scenarios
Aligning stakeholders around a shared, innovative vision
Defining roadmaps to test, adjust, iterate and deploy
Thinking outside the box is sometimes what makes all the difference.
That is where ideas are born that truly and sustainably transform organisations.
Expert Quotes :
Strategy as Seen by Those Who Practice It
FAQ: All about strategy consulting
What is the role of a strategy consulting firm ?
In a constantly evolving environment – technological, societal, environmental – innovation is no longer an option; it’s a necessity for long-term success. At CMPO, we approach each assignment with an entrepreneurial mindset, driven by the desire to create real, measurable impact. This also means stepping outside established frameworks, challenging routines, and testing new, sometimes unexpected approaches.
How much does a strategy consulting assignment cost ?
The cost of a consulting assignment depends on several factors: the size of the organization, the complexity of the issues, the level of involvement required, and the duration of the engagement.
At CMPO, we focus on a tailored approach, offering flexible, custom intervention models. Some assignments may include a variable component (success fee) linked to achieving the results defined with the client, as we firmly believe that the value of a project is measured by its impact.
Our engagements typically last between 6 and 18 months, ensuring in-depth, structuring work that is meaningful for both the teams and the leadership.
More than just a cost, it’s a strategic investment: our interventions generate a high return on investment by optimizing resources, accelerating decision-making, and activating sustainable growth levers.
What is the average duration of a consulting assignment ?
The duration of an assignment depends on its scope, complexity, and the size of the company being supported.
- A strategic diagnosis and action plan typically take 3 to 6 months.
- Operational support and transformation management extend over 6 to 12 months, depending on the scope and level of on-the-ground integration.
At CMPO, we are involved throughout the entire process: from the initial analysis to concrete implementation, and ensuring the sustainability of the results. We work hand in hand with management teams and staff, co-constructing each step of the change to ensure buy-in, impact, and lasting transformation.
Our assignments are designed to span a longer period to enable in-depth, structuring work that creates lasting value.
How is the ROI of a strategy measured ?
The return on investment of a strategic initiative is assessed through various indicators. The most common ones are financial: revenue, margin, EBITDA. Others focus on human resources (employee engagement, internal mobility) or operations (productivity, timelines, service quality). The key is to define these indicators at the outset of the assignment.
How is the knowledge transfer process carried out ?
Knowledge transfer is a key component of any successful project. It is based on the gradual training of internal teams, co-creation of deliverables with stakeholders, and the transfer of reusable tools and methods. The goal is for the organization to become autonomous by the end of the engagement.
Who is this type of consulting for ?
Strategy consulting applies to a wide range of organizations: SMEs, mid-market companies, large groups, or startups in growth phases. It is also relevant for public sector structures, federations, or associations looking to structure their development or rethink their business model.
What is the difference between strategy consulting and management consulting ?
Strategy consulting is focused on defining the direction: it clarifies priorities, vision, and positioning challenges. Management consulting, on the other hand, focuses on execution: it helps implement projects, optimize resources, and manage performance on a daily basis. Both approaches are often complementary.
Why hire an external consulting firm ?
Hiring a consulting firm provides a fresh perspective, proven tools, and industry benchmarks. It also accelerates analysis, strengthens the credibility of decisions with stakeholders, and saves valuable time in the decision-making process.
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