Consultancy Services Types (Responsibilities And Benefits)

Updated 18 September 2023

Consultants are professionals who have spent many years in their respective fields and can provide expert recommendations to organisations on how to perform more effectively. From strategy consulting to legal consulting, there are many types of consultancy services. Learning about different types of consultancy services can help you find varied fields wherein you can apply your expertise and through which you can enhance your skills. In this article, we explore the different consultancy services types and discover what are the benefits of pursuing this career opportunity.

Consultancy Services Types

Different consultancy services types can include a range of sectors where professionals may work, be it sales or services. Here is a list of some popular areas of expertise that consultants may specialise in, along with some examples of their responsibilities:

Strategy consulting

Strategy consulting is one of the most important types of business consultancy. The role of a strategic consultant mainly involves providing advice to upper-level executives and managers on matters related to the formation of effective plans and strategies that can help a business follow a more productive direction. This consulting approach may start with identifying the problems a business faces and providing effective solutions through research and analyses. Here are some examples of a strategy consultant's responsibilities:

Devise innovative initiatives that tackle strategic and complex business challenges
Prepare presentations for senior managers seeking sponsorship and funding approvals
Record and analyse metrics to forecast improvements expected from solutions
Possess the ability to process and arrange structured and unstructured information
Support decision-making and issue-resolution in collaboration with stakeholders

Financial consulting

Financial consulting helps a business protect and maximise its profitability. Companies usually hire financial consultants to help align their budgets with their short-term and long-term goals. The role of a financial consultant is to oversee a company's portfolio and establish various strategies that can include investments, taxes and insurances. They are also in charge of increasing profit margins and managing costs of varied acquisitions. Here are a few examples of a financial consultant's responsibilities:

Manage and control budgets by monitoring allocated, committed and spent funds
Create in-depth financial reports to determine expenses across teams or company's offices
Prepare period-wise performance reports by analysing data trends across key variables
Develop composite financial models to make sure the company achieves performance targets
Liaise with internal auditors and compliance team to ensure the organisation conducts timely auditing

Information technology consulting

Companies may hire technology consultants to evaluate the productivity of their software and technology. Besides software management and implementation, they can specialise in an area like cybersecurity where they secure the systems and network of a company to prevent a breach in security. Information technology consultants can also be responsible for building complex internet-based systems for an organisation to promote its productivity. Here is a list of some examples of a technology consultant's responsibilities:

Provide guidance on project management software, tools and techniques
Develop an internal charter with technical documentation, manuals and IT policies
Implement efficient technologies in storage and software development
Debug and optimise code and automate routine tasks such as database management
Support cloud infrastructure initiatives that align with the company's goals

Legal consulting

Legal consulting may require a sound knowledge of business law and how to handle business issues legally. Organisations usually hire legal consultants to seek advice on legal disputes alongside forming internal policies that can help them avoid legal actions against them. Legal consultants are professionals who can also help the organisation to comply with legal and government regulations. Additionally, these consultants can help provide outcomes in the favour of the organisation that faces criminal or civil litigation. Here are a few examples of a legal consultant's responsibilities:

Review, analyse and advise on memorandums of understanding and contracts
Provide information on legal implications and handle the rights to Information matters
Assess the progress of outstanding litigations alongside liaising with external lawyers
Negotiate acquisitions and agreements like syndication, services and distribution
Resolve and establish clear copyright, trademark, privacy and licensing policies

Social media consulting

Several brands try to enhance their reach to customers using social media platforms and social networking portals. To develop a profitable social media strategy, these brands may hire social media consultants who provide guidance to ensure that the business is effectively utilising social media channels to reach its target audience. Professionals in this field may keep themselves updated on the latest trends and strategies for each social media platform. Here are some examples of a social media consultant's responsibilities:

Ideate and implement content strategies and analyse their efficacy on a regular basis
Manage implementation and optimisation of campaign activities to improve sales
Research and develop search engine optimisation or SEO content for increased reach
Liaise with marketing, sales and customer teams to develop brand consistency
Stay updated on new technologies and social media trends to design novel campaigns

Sales consulting

Sales consultants are experts in developing interpersonal relationships and conducting negotiations. With these qualities, they can help increase a company's revenue. They may evaluate the sales process from the perspective of the customer and also develop strategies for incentivising the sales team. Sales consultants can also work in tandem with marketing teams to make sales channels profitable. Companies may hire sales consultants who have proven sales records and extensive experience in this industry. Here are some examples of their responsibilities:

Assess and improve sales performance alongside achieving annual revenue targets
Collaborate with marketing teams to understand the company's products and services
Enhance the sales of the company and develop a scalable sales process
Establish client relationships through communication, meetings and discussions
Develop customer-oriented presentations and demonstrations on product portfolio

Public relations consulting

Companies may hire public relations consultants to enhance a brand's public image in the market. Their expertise in the field can help people view a company's owners, employees and products or services positively. They may be responsible for writing press releases, building campaigns and conducting surveys. Public relations consultants may communicate to the public business information that can include policies, visions and product announcements. Here are a few examples of their responsibilities:

Develop, maintain and improve relationships with media personnel like journalists
Generate opportunities in the media for coverage of the brand's products and services
Create content that may build a unique brand identity in a competitive market
Review media coverage, monitor results and evaluate the impact of public relations Initiatives
Generate interest among new and existing clients to develop a dedicated high-end sales point

Operations consulting

Companies may hire operations consultants when they require streamlining operations or improving their operational performance. These professionals may utilise research and data to address various issues, such as increased company productivity, improved efficiency or reduced spending. These consultants usually have a strong background in business, finance or economics. They often lead project management to deliver inventive solutions to complex challenges. Here are some examples of an operations consultant's responsibilities:

Take feedback from clients to improve business operations and effectively use the resources
Develop short-term and long-term business strategies to support business objectives
Restructure various departments and form cost-efficient solutions to operational challenges
Devise and implement new operational processes when existing ones stop generating profits
Collate data and create effective data models to provide custom solutions to large retailers

Human resources consulting

Consultants that specialise in human resources can provide support to organisations by helping them establish techniques for conflict resolution, improving employee satisfaction and staff development and training. These professionals can also assist the organisation with its hiring process. Human resource consultants can also provide integrated services to the company to ensure they manage people-related issues genially. Here is an example list of the responsibilities of a human resources consultant:

Establish strong and cordial relationships with all the teams across the organisation
Provide recommendations and counselling to managers and teams on company policies
Look for opportunities for the organisation to enhance their people management techniques
Suggest personnel required and elective training for their comprehensive development
Monitor internal systems and processes to ensure policies stay updated and relevant

Benefits Of Being A Consultant

Here are a few benefits of being a consultant:

Senior leadership: With the expertise in your field, you can start taking up senior executive-level roles without being part of an organisation's arrangement of the workforce.
Variety: As a consultant, you can take up several projects that can help you work on different strategies across industries and meet new people.
Network: Working on different projects for various companies can help you forge relationships across multiple organisations that can turn into job opportunities.
Career growth: Working on many projects and with several teams can allow you to learn from others and develop unique skills that can prove to be rewarding in terms of career growth.

Consultancy Services Types (Responsibilities And Benefits)