Tarka Talks Consulting Podcast

Season 2 Episode #5: Adapting for impact - AI, Agility and Growing a Boutique Consultancy

In this episode of Tarka Talks Consulting, Richard Longstreet is joined by Chris Tomlinson (“Tommo”), Managing Director of Muuto Consulting.  
They dive into the rise of AI in consulting where it’s already making an impact, and how firms can prepare for what’s next. From org design to operating models, they explore how boutique consultancies can stay nimble, scale smart, and harness AI without losing sight of culture and client value. A must-listen for anyone navigating the future of consulting. 
Episode Breakdown: 
[04:05] Operating from a virtual model [06:27] How does the virtual model work when trying to create a culture? [07:30] Focusing on more experienced hiring [08:39] Industry and consulting experience [10:25] AI change in transformation [11:47] How AI is changing the way you operate [15:57] Using AI within Muuto [17:31] Implications of AI in consulting [20:29] Career progression - Boutique vs larger firm [24:49] What do you look for in new hires? [26:25] Muuto’s culture [29:47] How does Muuto go about recruiting? [31:03] Interviewing process at Muuto [35:00] Biggest learning from Tommo's career [36:20] Are there any horror stories from your career? [37:52] What do you know now that you wish you'd known at the start of your career 
A big thank you to Tommo for your insights – it was brilliant to have you on the show! Find out more about our guest:  
Connect with Chris Tomlinson (“Tommo”) 
Follow Muuto on LinkedIn 
Visit Muuto’s website 
Hosted by Tarka Talent  
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs. 

Season 2 Episode #4: Why Boutiques Are Winning: Culture, Agility & the Road to Exit

In this episode, Richard Longstreet is joined by board advisor and transformation expert Karen Thomas-Bland to explore why boutique consultancies are gaining ground on the Big Four.  
From culture and career appeal to IP, private equity interest, and preparing for exit, they cover the key traits that make smaller firms stand out—and scale. A must-listen for founders, leaders and anyone thinking about their next consulting move. 
Episode Breakdown 
[00:56] Introducing Karen and her experience  [03:19] Karen's view on why boutiques continue to grow over the last 5-10 years [06:19] How to be more reactive and creating valuable solutions to the customer [09:24] Is the demand shifting from bespoke to productised consulting models? [11:12] What defines a successful senior revenue hire in boutiques? [14:29] Is a pure salesperson right for small consultancies? [19:48] How should senior hires be incentivised pre-exit? [23:11] Is great company culture built or grown organically? [25:50] What should founders consider beyond culture for early hires? [28:31] How should leadership teams manage spend and control costs? [30:46] How can firms become experts in their niche? [33:45] Will private equity interest in boutiques grow next year? [34:50] What are the first steps consultancies should start thinking about taking if an exit is on the horizon [38:20] Will boutiques keep taking market share from big consultancies? [39:30] What is the biggest learning you've taken from your career? [40:16] Are there any horror stories from your career? [41:46] What do you know now that you wish you'd known at the start of your career 
A big thank you to Karen for your insights – it was brilliant to have you on the show! Find out more about our guest:  
Connect with Karen Thomas Bland 
Hosted by Tarka Talent  
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.  
 

Season 2 Episode #3: What Our 2024 Salary & Hiring Survey Tells Us About the Consulting Market

In this episode of Tarka Talks Consulting, Richard Longstreet is joined by Sam Temperton and Megan Nicholas from Tarka Talent to unpack the key findings from their latest Salary & Benefits Report. 
They discuss how salary trends are shifting, what’s happening with bonuses and promotions, why culture is rising up the priority list for candidates, especially women and how specialist skill sets are driving hiring demand in 2024. A must-listen for anyone navigating the consulting job market this year. 
Episode Breakdown: 
[01:21] Key points on salaries from the survey 
[03:43] How did consultancies find 2024? 
[04:49] Smaller firms more likely to recruit 
[08:47] Seeing a shift in candidate expectations 
[11:51] Expectations when looking for a salary/title uplift 
[13:39] Are promotions in a move changing? 
[18:19] Job titles disparity between businesses 
[21:22] Why are people not getting promoted? 
[26:59] Review on bonuses in 2024  
[36:32] Travel allowance - is this an effort to get more people back into the office? 
[39:35] Are people more willing to travel for work? 
[47:10] Women ranking culture higher than men in priority 
Connect with Sam Temperton 
Connect with Megan Nicholas 
Download your copy of our Salary Report 
Hosted by Tarka Talent  
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.  

Season 2 Episode #2: The journey of scaling a consulting firm

In this episode of Tarka Talks Consulting, host Richard Longstreet sits down with Anush Newman, co-founder of JMAN Group, to explore the journey of scaling a consulting firm across multiple geographies.  
They discuss JMAN’s growth strategy, the impact of investment on their operations, and the challenges of managing a global business. If you’re interested in how boutique consultancies evolve and expand, this is one you won’t want to miss. 
Episode Breakdown: 
[00:54] Introducing JMAN Group and CEO, Anush Newman  
[03:23] What bought on the idea of launching JMAN 
[06:57] Shaping the JMAN Proposition 
[08:21] Keeping up with evolving technology 
[11:52] What were the early years like at JMAN? 
[18:09] Being more hands-on with multiple locations 
[20:30] The culture at JMAN 
[22:41] How do you assess a junior candidate’s motivation and values without professional experience? 
[28:10] Taking on Private Equity at JMAN & lessons learnt 
[32:52] Focusing on training is at the core at JMAN 
[35:17] What Anush & JMAN look for in a new hire 
[37:24] Recruitment within JMAN  
[44:02] What has been your biggest learning in your career? 
[45:15] Horror stories from career 
[49:12] Is there one thing you wish you knew at the very start of your career? 
A big thank you to Anush for your insights – it was brilliant to have you on the show! Find out more about our guest:  
Connect with Anush Newman  
Follow JMAN Group 
Visit their website 
Hosted by Tarka Talent  
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.  
 

Season 2 Episode #1: The Rise of Boutique Consultancies

Welcome back to Tarka Talks Consulting, Season 2.  
In this episode, Founder of Tarka Talent ,Richard Longstreet sits down with Ben Edwards, VP of Consulting at CMap, to explore the rise of boutique consultancies and how they’re competing with the big firms.  
They discuss shifting market dynamics, operational challenges for smaller firms, and how technology and specialisation are driving growth. Ben also shares insights into resource management, pricing strategies, and how boutiques can position themselves for long-term success. 
Episode breakdown: 
Introduction [00:56] 
Empowering leadership teams [02:26] 
How have you seen the landscape change for boutique consultancies? [06:00] 
The importance of being specialised in one area [08:20] 
Have you seen a change in client demand since the rise in boutiques? [10:04] 
The challenges of launching & scaling overseas [11:41] 
The key operational challenges that boutiques may face than more established businesses don’t [14:18] 
The importance of account management within consultancies [17:51] 
Where do you see the boutique market going over the next few years? [24:05] 
Do you think client’s sentiment to bigger consultancies vs smaller ones is changing? [32:33] 
Final thoughts [37:24] 
A big thank you to Ben for your insights – it was brilliant to have you on the show! Find out more about our guest: 
Connect with Ben Edwards 
Follow CMap Software  
Hosted by Tarka Talent 
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs. 

Episode #10: Tarka Talent talks consulting salaries in 2024

In the last episode of the first season of Tarka Talks, Richard Longstreet talks to two members of the Tarka Talent team, Fran Regis Rogers and Sam Temperton. Together they discuss the recruitment market in 2024, in particular the movement in salaries.
 
Chapters
00:00:00 - 00:02:59: Introduction and guest introductions
00:03:00 - 00:09:33: Overview of the consulting recruitment market
00:09:34 - 00:12:46: Matching responsibility with job title
00:12:47 - 00:16:42: Why do candidates look for a new job?
00:16:43 - 00:26:34: Is the Big 4 or a boutique consultancy better for your career?
00:26:35 - 00:31:48: National spread of candidates
00:31:49 - 00:37:32: Gender diversity in leadership teams
00:37:33 - 00:46:35: Final thoughts
 
After listening:
A big thank you to Fran and Sam for your insights – it was brilliant to have you both on the show! Find out more about our guests:
Connect with Fran Regis Rogers
Connect with Sam Temperton
Download our 2024 Salary Report
 
Hosted by Tarka Talent
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.

Episode #9: Clarasys talk expansion

Richard Longstreet talks to Matt Cheung and Tom Bushell from Clarasys about personal and professional growth, scaling a business and international expansion.
 
Chapters
00:00:00 – 00:00:48: Introductions
00:00:49 – 00:07:57: Guest introductions and overview of Clarasys
00:07:58 – 00:13:36: Building the Clarasys brand
00:13:37 – 00:20:36: Establishing the company culture
00:20:37 – 00:33:53: Expanding into North America
00:33:54 – 00:38:59: The culture at Clarasys
00:39:00 – 00:45:33: The recruitment process at Clarasys
00:45:34 – 00:51:31: Final thoughts
 
After listening:
A big thank you to Matt and Tom for your insights – it was brilliant to have you both on the show! Find out more about our guests and Clarasys below:
Connect with Matt Cheung
Connect with Tom Bushell
Find out more about Clarasys
Learn more about Clarasys' global expansion
 
Hosted by Tarka Talent
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.

Episode #8: OC&C Strategy Consultants talk retaining women

Richard Longstreet talks to Katherine Fiander and Melissa Edmondson from OC&C Strategy Consultants about diversity in consulting and retaining women into leadership roles!
 
Chapters
00:00:00 – 00:00:53: Introductions
00:00:54 – 00:07:19: Guest introductions and overview of OC&C Strategy Consultants
00:07:20 – 00:11:45: Retaining women in consulting
00:11:46 – 00:14:25: How are OC&C improving diversity in their firm?
00:14:26 – 00:16:16: Social mobility and The 93% Club
00:16:17 – 00:22:56: Fostering a company culture of entrepreneurialism belonging
00:22:57 – 00:31:56: What skills do OC&C look for in candidates?
00:31:57 – 00:35:26: What does the recruitment process look like at OC&C Stratey Consultants?
00:35:27 – 00:47:10: Final thoughts
 
After listening:
A big thank you to Katherine and Melissa for your insights – it was brilliant to have you both on the show! Find out more about our guests and OC&C Strategy Consultants below:
Connect with Katherine Fiander
Connect with Melissa Edmondson
Find out more about OC&C Strategy Consultants
Find out more about The 93% Club
 
Hosted by Tarka Talent
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.

Episode #7: Shiageto Consulting talk going independent

Richard talks to Founder of Shiageto Consultancy, Faris Aranki, about working internationally and launching his own business, and much much more!
 
Chapters
00:00:00 - 00:00:43: Introductions
00:00:44 - 00:07:10: Guest introducitons and overview of Shiageto Consulting
00:07:11 - 00:15:05: The equation behind Shiageto
00:15:06 - 00:20:05: Learnings from starting a business
00:20:06 - 00:25:42: Building the consultancy's brand and a personal brand
00:25:43 - 00:30:45: Turning relationships into clients
00:30:46 - 00:35:07: Making the first hires into Shiageto Consulting
00:35:08 - 00:39:05: Taking the leap to work independently
00:39:06 - 00:47:08: Final thoughts
 
After listening:
A big thank you to Faris for your insights - it was brilliant to have you on the show! Find out more about our guest and Shiageto Consulting below:
Connect with Faris Aranki
Find out more about Shiageto Consulting
The Shiageto equation
 
Hosted by Tarka Talent
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.

Episode #6: Project One talk experience

Richard talks with James O'Sullivan and Sarah-Jane Campbell about the value of hiring highly experienced staff and the importance of fostering long-term relationships.
Chapters
00:01:09 – 00:07:16: Guest introductions and overview of Project One
 
00:07:17 – 00:12:06: Project One’s proposition in the market
 
00:12:07 – 00:21:55: James O’Sullivan’s career and transition into consulting
 
00:21:56 – 00:23:51: Attracting management consultants to Project One
 
00:23:52 – 00:29:47: Nurturing customer relationships
 
00:29:48 – 00:35:05: Company culture at Project One
 
00:35:06 – 00:44:36: What do Project One look for in their hires?
 
00:44:37 – 00:51:15: Final thoughts
 
After listening:
A big thank you to James and Sarah-Jane for your insights. It was brilliant to have you both on the show! Find out more about our speakers and Project One below:
Connect with James O’Sullivan
Connect with Sarah-Jane Campbell
Find out more about Project One
Hosted by Tarka Talent
Tarka Talks is hosted by Tarka Talent, leading management consulting recruitment agency. Find out more about our work and get in touch for support with your hiring needs.