Summary

In this episode of 'Asking Good Questions', host Edward Roske engages with John Beringer, managing director at Spaulding Ridge, to explore the evolving landscape of consulting, the importance of personal relationships in business, and the impact of AI and cloud technologies on the industry. They discuss how personal connections drive business success, the shift from traditional on-premise solutions to cloud-based technologies, and the future role of AI in consulting. John shares insights on maintaining relationships at scale and the skills needed for consultants to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

Takeaways

• The most valuable people will be the ones with the biggest ideas.
• All business is personal; relationships drive success.
• Consulting can be a path of accidental discovery.
• Understanding client needs is crucial for project success.
• AI will fundamentally change the consulting landscape.
• Maintaining relationships requires intentional effort.
• Success criteria are essential for digital transformation projects.
• Consultants must adapt to the evolving technology landscape.
• Being AI literate is important for future consultants.
• The best advisors will always be needed, regardless of technology.

Sound Bites

"All business is personal."
"Success means I'll be able to take a vacation."
"You never know who's going to be the CFO."
"People buy from people."
"AI will fundamentally change what our industry looks like."
"The better advisor you are, the more valuable you become."
"Not having success criteria is a big mistake."
"Say yes to opportunities."

Chapters

00:00 The Value of Big Ideas
02:50 All Business is Personal
06:05 Consulting Journey and Growth
09:00 The Shift to Cloud Technologies
11:51 AI in Consulting: Current Trends
14:52 Building Relationships at Scale
18:10 The Future of AI in Consulting
20:57 Internal AI Strategies at Spaulding Ridge
23:59 The Changing Landscape of Consulting Jobs
27:03 Skills for Tomorrow's Consultants
30:08 Final Thoughts and Speed Round

This episode of Asking Good Questions is brought to you by Caprus.Ai.

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