Trending Topics in the Consulting Industry

Since quantifying facts lies at the core of our business and to stay on top of what our clients are talking about, Statista researchers analyzed over 150 white papers, articles, and reports from the leading consulting firms. By categorizing the publications according to common topics, we created a map of what consultants are currently researching.

One in five publications surveyed by Statista discussed digital transformation, which was defined for this research as articles that discussed the disruption and impact that digital technologies cause to the business landscape. While this definition is similar to Industry 4.0, we separated the two topics. Consultants are buzzing about the effects these technologies will bring to business models or processes, and how that will affect value creation. Subtopics here range from the change in infrastructure, products, and services to the rippling effect on supply chains. Another common theme in digital transformation explores new ways for companies to interact with consumers.

In this study, 17% of the publications are about workforce strategy, making this the second most relevant topic. Corporations are looking for ways to empower their workers and optimize the workplace for better performance. Companies are hiring more tech-savvy individuals who can leverage new technologies and meet new demands. We are seeing a change in the type of employees companies are hiring and a change in the employee/employer relationship as the number of contingent workers rises (“Gig economy”). Individuals are looking for a more flexible schedule and are less likely to stay at one job for a long period of time.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is covered by 15% of the articles, making it the third most popular topic. AI algorithms can address challenges and potentials regarding automation in a wide range of fields, covering everything from sales and customer service to analytics. Fields of concern are cybersecurity, privacy, and long-term social and economic impact. AI has also made its way into our daily lives. With the help of assistance intelligence, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, AI can now independently help guide and perform tasks. Autonomous intelligence is slowly starting to penetrate our streets with self-driving vehicles.

Another key segment explores a new industrial revolution, coined industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Manufacturers are combining automation, network infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and analytics on the production line, restructuring the way businesses function. These advances in technologies will have a comprehensive effect on supply chains when it comes to to production planning, predictive maintenance, and material management as well as monitoring and controlling.

For inquiries about Statista Contact: Johannes Meindl – Group Director Consulting & Legal – Johannes.meindl@statista.com

This article was created with the support of Sarah Feldman (Data Journalist) and Osbaldo Sanchez.