Why Niche Consultants Are Cashing in on the AI Revolution While Startups Struggle

Management consultants are making more money than all generative AI startups combined. Why? Because they're charging companies to figure out how to make generative AI work for their business. This presents a golden opportunity for niche and boutique consultants. Let me show you how to seize it.

Right now, the AI marketplace is a mix of excitement and panic. Companies see AI as the next big thing, but they're split between those who fear it will disrupt their business and those eager to leverage it to scale and optimize. 

But here's the thing: most have yet to learn how to implement generative AI profitably. They see its potential but don't know what to do with it. 

Then, you have generative AI startups, many struggling to make money themselves. They're creating exciting tech but not business-specific solutions for companies that actually want to make money with AI.

Enter the niche and boutique consultant – and since you've read this article so far, I assume that's you, too.

This is your time to step in, fill that gap, and guide companies through this chaos.

Whether it's helping HR departments streamline workflows, enhance employee satisfaction, or drive operational efficiency with cost-saving AI strategies, companies are desperately seeking expertise to use AI for their business advantage. And right now, that expertise is up for grabs for boutique consultants like you.

Why Tech Giants Leave Room for Consultants to Thrive

It sounds counterintuitive, right? If generative AI startups are burning billions just to keep the lights on, why aren't they the ones leading the charge in consulting? Why aren't they launching their consulting divisions and charging top-tier companies $100 million to implement their tools?

The short answer is strategy.

Tech developers like OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT) are focused on their core products, like refining their AI models. They deliberately leave consulting to companies like Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which projects that 20% of its 2024 revenue will come from AI integration projects. 

This isn't an oversight. It's a strategic move. Outsourcing consulting frees up resources to help developers focus on scaling and innovating their products while leaving the complex task of AI implementation to experts like you.

History shows that AI developers will not compete with you. They will collaborate with you, which opens up a Wild West of opportunity.

How You Can Fill the Consulting Gap Left by AI Developers

The opportunity lies in a simple formula: tech companies build incredible products, but consultants are the ones who bring those products to life for businesses. This isn't a new story. Think back to when companies like Salesforce and SAP first launched. Initially, their implementations were often expensive, complex, and time-consuming for clients. That's where consultants — both niche specialists and larger firms — became indispensable.

Over time, these developers realized they needed partner programs to ensure customer success.

For example:

• Salesforce faced challenges customizing their CRM to meet unique client needs. Consulting partners stepped in and became essential to tailoring the platform for different industries.
• SAP initially offered little consulting support. Their clients had no choice but to bring in third-party consultants to help with implementations.
• HubSpot underestimated the complexity faced by larger organizations and soon found that external consulting partners were critical for helping businesses fully leverage their platform.

AI developers are in the same position now. They need specialists like you to help their clients harness the power of AI.

Boston Consulting Group's (BCG) partnership with Anthropic is a perfect case study. BCG helps enterprises integrate Claude, an AI model Anthropic developed into their operations. They work closely with businesses to customize the AI for specific industry needs. And that's where the real consulting money is: not just in selling access to AI but in bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical business use.

Why This Matters NOW

We're on the cusp of an AI adoption wave unlike anything we've seen. Global businesses are pouring unprecedented amounts of money into AI integration, and the demand for expertise is skyrocketing. The next year or two is critical. AI developers, like Salesforce and SAP before them, will inevitably develop partner programs or build their own consulting arms. But right now, there's a unique opportunity: they are more likely to partner with you than compete against you.

Action Plan: How You Can Get Started

Here's how to make sure you're the consultant they call when they need AI expertise:

1. Position Yourself as the Expert: Clients want someone who gets AI and understands their industry's specific challenges. Whether you focus on HR, operations, supply chain management, or marketing, showcase your industry expertise alongside your AI knowledge. Make it clear that you don't just understand the technology — you know how to apply it to solve their most pressing business problems.
2. Build Relationships with AI Developers: Like BCG's collaboration with Anthropic, your next step is positioning yourself as a partner to AI startups. Reach out to AI companies and offer to help their clients implement and customize their solutions. For them, it's more efficient to partner with you than build an in-house consulting team. Start with outreach — many of these developers are hungry for specialists who can help them scale faster.
3. Solve Specific Problems: Having generic AI knowledge won't be enough. You need to show how AI can solve problems specific to each industry. For example, in manufacturing, you could focus on automating supply chain processes using AI-powered predictive analytics. In retail, offer AI solutions that improve customer service or personalize marketing efforts. The key is to tie AI capabilities to outcomes businesses care about.

The Big Picture: Your AI Consulting Opportunity

Right now, AI developers are where Salesforce and SAP were in their early days — great products but not enough expertise to tailor them to specific client needs. This is where you step in. You're not just filling a gap — you're becoming indispensable to the AI revolution.

And here's the best part: because AI is so new, the playing field is wide open. Tech developers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and others are more interested in building partnerships with you than competing against you. They'll stay focused on perfecting their tools, and you'll be the expert that helps companies make the most of them.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

Remember, your competitors are already positioning themselves to capitalize on this opportunity. The AI wave is coming fast, and there's no time to waste. The niche and boutique consultants that move now are the ones who will ride this wave to massive profits.

The question is: are you ready to grab it? Let's have a quick conversation about what's possible for you. Meet me here: https://www.teamlawless.com/momentum-call-schedule