(Opinion) Why Start A New AI / Digital Consultancy?
From the title of this article, you may be aware that I, working with an excellent group of colleagues, am in the process of launching a new AI / digital consultancy firm (spoiler alert, it’s called ‘Choir Digital’). It is an exciting time, and we’ve already landed out first client!
I thought that it might be helpful (for some of you) to outline my thought process on why this is a good time to launch a new consultancy business. This is presented very much from a personal perspective, so take what I have outlined with a grain of salt.
The market is expanding (not exploding, yet)…
It doesn't take long to look through any media these days to see articles on the impact of AI / digital disruption on every aspect of our lives. While the news cycle focuses on bold statements from either end of the spectrum (is AI going to destroy society or create massive prosperity), I do believe business leaders are seeking practical pathways for AI to create sustained business impact.
At the moment, that focus is firmly on cost reduction, but I am increasingly joining conversations around how AI can drive and open new market opportunities for a range of organisations.
…and their needs are changing…
Up until recently, the Big 4 consultants have dominated enterprise conversations and action around AI. The result? Lots of risk-focused frameworks, some strategic direction, endless gab fests, but not much action in terms of creating production-quality solutions that drive commercial outcomes.
That said, the tide is turning and business leaders are (finally) seeking to create AI-driven solutions, which creates an opportunity to shift efforts from strategic to solution execution (which the Big 4 struggle to address).
…which leads to an opportunity for a new provider
With the existing fragmented market, there are plenty of providers with a single focal point of value. That may be around a function (such as building solutions), a sector focus, or vendor partnerships. These are all valid, but by creating an AI / digital consultancy that blends strategy, building solutions, and skills enhancement, working across vendor platforms, I believe our approach aligns to the current market need.
Consumers are demanding AI driven solutions
Australians have a weird relationship with AI. In recent surveys we had the lowest level of confidence in the benefits of AI globally; 78% of us are concerned about AI negative outcomes, and only 30% think AI benefits outweigh the risks.
At the same time, OpenAI recently announced they are opening an Australian office, as our use of their platform is in the top 10 globally.
At the end of the day, Australians are using AI and digital tools more and more, and they are seeing the benefit by addressing personal needs. But with a steady drumbeat of negative messages over the years, there is some embedded reticence from business leaders, which will take some time to work through.
I’m ready to do this
I definitely don’t have a traditional career ladder. The insightful Rita McGrath references the value of career lattices, and that definitely aligns to my experience. After a few years of turning around other people’s consulting businesses, I’m ready for the challenge to do this for myself, again.
So I’m excited about this opportunity, and as part of my new role I will be writing more regularly around developments and opportunities that I am observing in this evolving marketplace.
And of course, if you’d like to chat with myself, or my colleagues around what you are seeing in market, then reach out, we’d love to explore your needs together?
Cheers
Anthony Ferrierhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyferrier/
anthony.ferrier@choirdigital.com.au