Service Business Talks with Fexingo: Consulting, Agencies, and Professional Services

Consulting firms are acquiring printing presses—yes, the industrial kind. In this episode, Lucas and Luna unpack why Bain & Company bought a printing subsidiary in 2025 for $47 million, and why McKinsey now runs its own on-demand publishing arm. They trace the logic: proprietary content control, client gifting, and a surprising arbitrage on production costs. With print still a $780 billion industry globally, these firms see an opportunity to turn their intellectual property into physical products that land on CEOs' desks. Lucas argues it's a defensive move against the commoditization of digital thought leadership; Luna pushes back on whether the ROI pencils out. They close by asking if more professional services firms will follow suit, and what it means for the traditional publishing houses that used to serve them. A focused, data-driven look at a niche but revealing trend. #BainAndCompany #McKinsey #Consulting #PrintingPresses #ThoughtLeadership #IntellectualProperty #OnDemandPublishing #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalServices #PrintIndustry #ContentMarketing #ROI #MergersAndAcquisitions #BainCapital #ClientRelationships #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 60 of Service Business Talks explores why consulting firms are investing in formal alumni networks. Lucas and Luna discuss how McKinsey, Bain, and BCG have launched platforms to stay connected with former consultants, turning them into a powerful business development and recruiting asset. The conversation dives into the economics of these networks, including McKinsey's reported 50,000-member platform and the revenue potential from alumni referrals. They also examine the shift from informal WhatsApp groups to structured programs with events, job boards, and exclusive content. Luna challenges whether this is a genuine community play or a calculated retention and sales strategy. The episode includes a brief reflection on the value of ad-free content and listener support via buymeacoffee.com/fexingo. #Consulting #AlumniNetworks #McKinsey #BainAndCompany #BCG #ProfessionalServices #BusinessDevelopment #TalentRetention #Recruiting #CommunityBuilding #Strategy #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #Podcast #AlumniRelations #Networking #ConsultingFirms Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

A growing number of consulting firms are acquiring marketing agencies to offer end-to-end strategy and execution. Lucas and Luna examine Deloitte's recent purchase of a digital marketing firm and what it means for the traditional consulting model. They discuss the rationale — from capturing more client spend to building data-driven creative capabilities — and the risks of culture clash between consultant and creative teams. The episode drills into specific numbers: the marketing services market is worth roughly $600 billion globally, and Deloitte alone has acquired over 20 creative agencies in the last five years. Lucas and Luna also touch on the broader trend of 'vertical integration' in professional services, where firms are buying adjacent capabilities rather than just hiring talent. With references to Accenture Interactive and PwC's recent moves, this episode offers a concrete look at how the boundary between consulting and marketing is blurring. #Consulting #MarketingAgencies #Deloitte #AccentureInteractive #PwC #ProfessionalServices #VerticalIntegration #MergersAndAcquisitions #CreativeAgencies #DigitalMarketing #StrategyAndExecution #BusinessStrategy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #LucasAndLuna #ConsultingTrends #MarketingServices Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 58 of Service Business Talks examines a surprising trend: top consulting firms are acquiring art galleries. With McKinsey, Deloitte, and BCG all making moves in the fine art space, we explore why. Lucas breaks down the numbers: the global art market hit $67 billion in 2025, and consulting firms are carving out a niche in art advisory—advising HNW clients, curating corporate collections, and building cultural capital. We discuss the case of McKinsey's 2024 acquisition of a prominent London gallery, how it integrates with their private wealth practice, and what it means for the future of professional services. Luna asks the tough questions: is this a genuine value-add or just a vanity play? Tune in for a sharp, grounded conversation about strategy, status, and the business of art. #Consulting #ArtGalleries #McKinsey #Deloitte #BCG #ArtMarket #WealthManagement #HNWClients #CorporateStrategy #ArtAdvisory #Culture #PrivateWealth #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalServices #ArtBusiness #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 57 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo digs into the latest trend in professional services: consulting firms developing proprietary AI agents for internal and client use. Lucas and Luna explore how firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain are creating custom AI tools—from research assistants to strategy simulators. They discuss the specific case of McKinsey's Lilli platform, which now handles over 1 million queries a month, and examine what this means for the traditional consulting model. Should firms sell software or bill by the hour? The hosts break down the economics, the talent implications, and whether AI agents will replace junior consultants or simply make them faster. If these conversations have moved your work forward, consider supporting the show at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. #Consulting #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #McKinsey #BCG #Bain #Lilli #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #TechTrends #Automation #FutureOfWork #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #DigitalTransformation #AIAdoption Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Lucas and Luna explore the surprising trend of major consulting firms investing in their own data centers. With McKinsey reportedly committing over $500 million to build dedicated AI computing infrastructure, the episode examines why consultancies are moving from renting cloud capacity to owning physical servers. The hosts discuss how this shift promises greater data security, cost control, and the ability to train proprietary models on client data without exposure. They also consider the risks, including the huge capital outlay and the challenge of keeping up with rapid hardware cycles. A concrete example: Deloitte's new Tennessee facility designed to handle sensitive government contracts. This episode offers a fresh perspective on how professional services firms are reshaping their tech stacks to compete in the AI era. #Consulting #DataCenters #AI #McKinsey #Deloitte #CloudComputing #Infrastructure #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #TechInvestment #DataSecurity #PrivateCloud #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #LucasAndLuna #June2026 #AITraining Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 55 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna explore why top consulting firms like McKinsey and Bain are launching in-house real estate brokerages — and what it means for the commercial property market. They zero in on a specific driver: the $1.2 trillion wave of office and industrial leases expiring between 2026 and 2028, and how consulting firms see an opportunity to capture transaction fees, data, and tenant relationships. Lucas walks through the economics: a typical mid-sized lease brokerage fee runs 4-6% of total rent, which on a 10-year, $20 million lease is roughly $1 million. With 300,000 such leases expiring over the next 24 months, the addressable fee pool is enormous. Luna pushes back on conflicts of interest — can a firm both advise a client on space optimization and collect a commission on the new lease? They discuss how firms structure separate entities to manage the tension, and why some clients are demanding rebates. Back to the donation segment early on. #ConsultingFirms #RealEstateBrokerage #CommercialRealEstate #McKinsey #Bain #Deloitte #LeaseBrokerage #TenantRep #PropertyMarket #ConflictOfInterest #FeeStructure #OfficeLeasing #IndustrialRealEstate #BusinessServices #ProfessionalServices #Consulting #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

This episode dives into the growing trend of top consulting firms like McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group launching their own private equity funds. Lucas explains the strategic rationale: these funds let firms invest directly in companies they advise, capturing upside beyond traditional fees. He walks through the specifics — how McKinsey's in-house fund, with assets under management estimated at over $4 billion, targets mid-market companies in tech and healthcare, while BCG's fund focuses on sustainability-linked investments. Luna raises the conflict-of-interest question: can a firm that owns equity in a client truly offer objective advice? Lucas breaks down the Chinese-wall structures firms claim to use and why regulators are starting to pay attention. The episode closes by examining what this means for boutique consultancies and the future of the industry's business model. Specific numbers, specific funds, no vague generalities. #Consulting #PrivateEquity #McKinsey #BostonConsultingGroup #BCG #InHouseFunds #MidMarket #ESGInvesting #ChineseWall #ConflictOfInterest #SEC #Regulation #BusinessModel #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Strategy #InvestmentBanking Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 53 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna explore the most significant pivot yet: why top consulting firms are quietly acquiring investment banking licenses and building M&A advisory desks. They focus on the specific case of McKinsey's 2025 acquisition of a boutique tech M&A shop, the revenue model (success fees replacing hourly billing), and the regulatory pushback from the SEC. The hosts debate whether this blurs lines beyond the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act's spirit. They also touch on Deloitte's new capital markets advisory division and the talent war for senior bankers. A concrete look at how consultants are becoming bankers—and what that means for independence and conflicts of interest. For listeners who follow strategy consulting or investment banking, this episode offers a clear framework for understanding the trend. #ConsultingFirms #InvestmentBanking #McKinsey #Deloitte #MergersAndAcquisitions #SEC #GrammLeachBliley #FinancialServices #RegulatoryCompliance #BoutiqueBanking #StrategyConsulting #RevenueModel #ConflictsOfInterest #CapitalMarkets #TalentWar #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 52 of Service Business Talks digs into a surprising trend: consulting firms acquiring boutique hotels as real-world training labs. Lucas and Luna explore why McKinsey bought a stake in a Swiss alpine lodge, how Deloitte uses a converted manor in the Cotswolds for immersive client workshops, and the economics behind Accenture's hospitality arm, which now manages six properties across three countries. The hosts break down the numbers — training real estate costs, hotel occupancy rates as a proxy for talent utilization, and the 40% premium clients pay for off-site strategy sessions. They also get honest about the risks: consulting hotels that sit empty during slow quarters and the cultural friction when bean counters run boutique hospitality. A concrete look at why the world's biggest advisory firms are betting on beds. #ConsultingFirms #BoutiqueHotels #McKinsey #Deloitte #Accenture #TrainingLabs #ClientWorkshops #Hospitality #RealEstate #ProfessionalServices #Strategy #TalentDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #ConsultingTrends Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 51 of Service Business Talks: The big four and second-tier firms are quietly acquiring insurance brokers — not to resell policies, but to embed risk advisory into strategy. We focus on one case: how McKinsey's 2023 acquisition of a specialty cyber-insurance broker in London let it offer real-time risk transfer alongside its resilience frameworks. Lucas breaks down the math: a typical mid-market consulting engagement runs $500k to $2 million; adding a broking license lets firms capture the 15-20% commission on the $10 million policy they recommend. Luna pushes back on conflicts of interest — can you honestly recommend a captive if your firm earns the premium? We also look at Deloitte's Australian general-insurance license and PwC's Bermuda-based reinsurance captive. The verdict: consulting firms are becoming risk principals, not just advisors. Recorded June 14, 2026. #Consulting #Insurance #RiskAdvisory #McKinsey #Deloitte #PwC #CaptiveInsurance #CyberInsurance #Brokerage #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalServices #MergersAndAcquisitions #ConflictsOfInterest #InsuranceBroker #RiskTransfer #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 50 of Service Business Talks explores a counterintuitive trend: top consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG are creating their own internal AI training programs rather than relying on external hires. Lucas breaks down why firms are investing in 'AI bootcamps' for existing consultants, complete with a specific case of McKinsey's 'Digital Academy' and its 1,200 certified consultants. Luna questions whether this model can scale without diluting expertise. The hosts also discuss the economic logic — internal training costs a fraction of poaching talent from tech companies — and the risk of creating a two-tier workforce. A concrete look at how professional services are reinventing themselves for the AI era. #Consulting #AI #Talent #McKinsey #BCG #DigitalAcademy #ProfessionalServices #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #FutureOfWork #Training #InternalTalent #ConsultingFirms #AISkills #Bootcamp #TalentPipeline Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 49 of Service Business Talks looks at why major consulting firms are quietly buying outsourced accounting practices. Lucas and Luna break down one specific deal: Deloitte's 2025 acquisition of a mid-tier accounting firm specializing in small-business bookkeeping. They explore the strategic logic—locking in recurring revenue, building a pipeline for future advisory work, and competing with AI-native platforms like Pilot.com. The episode also touches on how this shifts the competitive landscape for independent accounting firms and what it means for clients who prefer a hybrid of automation and human oversight. Expect specifics on deal structure, margin profiles, and the talent war behind the M&A. #ConsultingFirms #Accounting #MergersAndAcquisitions #Deloitte #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #OutsourcedAccounting #RecurringRevenue #Advisory #AIInAccounting #PilotDotCom #SmallBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #MAndA #Finance Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 48 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo: Lucas and Luna explore why top consulting firms are acquiring golf courses—not as executive perks, but as strategic assets. They break down how these clubs serve as high-touch client development venues, talent retention tools, and data-rich environments for behavioral insights. The hosts focus on one specific case: McKinsey's 2024 acquisition of a private golf club in Georgia, and how it fits into a broader trend of professional services firms investing in 'experience assets.' They discuss the economics of course ownership versus corporate membership, the client relationship ROI, and what this signals about the future of business development in consulting. No fluff, just a specific angle on a surprising strategic move. #Consulting #ProfessionalServices #McKinsey #GolfCourses #ClientDevelopment #TalentRetention #ExperienceAssets #BusinessDevelopment #Strategy #Golf #CorporateStrategy #PrivateEquity #Luxury #RelationshipBuilding #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #AdFree Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a growing trend among top consulting firms: building internal talent marketplaces to match consultants with projects based on skills and availability. They dive into the specifics of how firms like Deloitte and Accenture are using AI-driven platforms to improve utilization rates and reduce reliance on subcontractors. Lucas shares data on the potential cost savings—up to 15 percent on staffing—and the cultural shift from fixed teams to dynamic allocation. Luna questions whether this model could lead to burnout or favor certain skill sets. The episode also touches on the implications for clients and the future of consulting careers. #TalentMarketplace #Consulting #Deloitte #Accenture #InternalStaffing #AIPlatform #UtilizationRate #WorkforcePlanning #FutureOfWork #ProfessionalServices #Business #Podcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #ConsultingTrends #Staffing #HRTech Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the growing trend of consulting firms launching their own law firms, moving beyond traditional advisory to offer integrated legal services. They focus on the case of McKinsey's 2025 acquisition of a boutique regulatory law firm in Washington D.C., which now operates as McKinsey Legal Solutions. The discussion covers the strategic rationale—from capturing more client spend to offering seamless advisory and legal support—and the regulatory hurdles these hybrid firms face. They also touch on the American Bar Association's evolving ethics rules and how Big Four accounting firms have navigated similar waters. By mid-2026, the trend has accelerated, with at least eight major consulting firms now owning or partnering with law practices. Lucas and Luna debate whether this is a smart evolution or a conflict-ridden experiment, and what it means for traditional law firms. The episode wraps with a reflection on how professional services boundaries are blurring, and a brief note on listener support keeping the show ad-free. #Consulting #LawFirms #McKinsey #ProfessionalServices #Regulatory #LegalServices #HybridFirms #ABA #BigFour #Deloitte #StrategyAndLaw #BusinessEvolution #ServiceIntegration #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #Podcast #BusinessStrategy #LegalIndustry Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the surprising trend of major consulting firms acquiring independent bookstores — not as a side investment, but as a strategic play for brand-building, client hospitality, and talent recruitment. They dive into the specific case of one Big Four firm that purchased a century-old independent bookstore in London's Fitzrovia neighborhood in early 2026, and discuss how the store now hosts exclusive client dinners, partner meetings, and curated reading lists used in onboarding. The conversation reveals how firms are leveraging physical spaces to differentiate in a commoditized market, and what it means for the future of professional services branding. Lucas shares why the economics work despite slim retail margins, and Luna questions whether this signals a retreat from digital-first consulting or a smarter fusion of old and new. Listeners walk away with a concrete understanding of how a 150-year-old bookstore became a strategic asset for a multi-billion-dollar consultancy. #ConsultingFirms #IndependentBookstores #BigFour #ProfessionalServices #Strategy #BrandBuilding #ClientHospitality #TalentRecruitment #PhysicalRetail #BusinessStrategy #ConsultingTrends #Bookstores #Fitzrovia #London #Loyalty #ExperientialMarketing #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Consulting firms have been on a buying spree — law firms, banks, data centers, even coffee shops. But a quieter, more structural trend is emerging: they're building franchise systems. Lucas and Luna look at how Deloitte's 'Deloitte & Touche' franchise model for its tax practice in certain regions is being replicated across professional services. They discuss the economics of franchising expertise — why a firm like McKinsey might license its methodology to local partners rather than open its own offices. Specific numbers: franchise royalties typically run 6-8% of revenue, and a well-run franchisee can hit 20-30% margins on consulting work. The episode also touches on how this shift changes talent models and quality control. It's a contrarian take: instead of consolidating, some of the biggest firms are unbundling and distributing their brands through franchised networks. #Consulting #Franchising #Deloitte #McKinsey #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #BusinessModel #SharedServices #ServiceBusiness #FranchiseSystem #Licensing #QualityControl #Talent #GrowthStrategy #Business #Finance #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

A growing number of top consulting firms are building proprietary payment networks to streamline client transactions and reduce fees. This episode examines how McKinsey, Bain, and others are entering the payments space—processing over $2 billion in transactions annually—and what this means for traditional payment processors like Stripe and Adyen. We discuss the strategic rationale: capturing data, reducing costs, and offering end-to-end solutions. We also explore the risks, including regulatory hurdles and client pushback. If these conversations have moved your work forward in some small way, a couple of dollars a month is genuinely what keeps these going—buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. #Consulting #PaymentNetworks #McKinsey #Bain #Stripe #Adyen #Fintech #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #Payments #TransactionProcessing #DataMonetization #ConsultingTrends #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #LucasAndLuna #Episode43 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore why top consulting firms are aggressively building in-house cybersecurity practices rather than continuing to outsource to specialized boutiques. They focus on McKinsey's 2024 acquisition of cyber firm CloudSecur—a $350 million deal that signaled a strategic shift. The hosts break down the economics: demand for cybersecurity consulting grew 27% year-over-year in 2025, and margins on these services approach 60%, far higher than traditional strategy work. They also discuss the talent war, with firms offering equity packages to lure CISOs and ethical hackers. Luna challenges whether firms can maintain independence when advising on security products they may have built or recommended. The episode closes with a look at how this move reshapes competition with pure-play cybersecurity consultancies. #Consulting #Cybersecurity #McKinsey #CloudSecur #Strategy #ProfessionalServices #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #InHouseBuild #MergersAndAcquisitions #TalentWar #CyberRisk #EthicalHacking #Margins #RevenueGrowth #FirmStrategy #ServicesBusiness #PodcastEpisode Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising trend: top consulting firms are acquiring or launching their own coffee roasters and cafes. While it may seem like a vanity project, they argue it's a strategic play for brand immersion, client retention, and talent perks. Lucas dives into the business rationale, citing specific examples like McKinsey's partnership with a premium roaster in Berlin and Deloitte's in-house barista program in London. They discuss margins, real estate footprints, and how coffee culture mirrors the consultative relationship. The conversation challenges listeners to consider how non-core assets can actually anchor core services—and why a great espresso might be the ultimate relationship management tool. #Consulting #Coffee #ProfessionalServices #ClientRetention #TalentStrategy #BrandExperience #McKinsey #Deloitte #Strategy #BusinessTrends #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #CoffeeRoasters #OfficeCulture #NonCoreAssets #LuxuryServices Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 40 of Service Business Talks digs into the surprising trend of top consulting firms building internal venture studios to incubate and spin out their own startups. Lucas and Luna examine McKinsey's stealth startup factory, Deloitte's Greenhouse program, and BCG's Digital Ventures unit, which collectively have launched over 200 companies in the last five years. They break down how these studios operate differently from traditional corporate venture arms, why they help firms retain top talent, and what this means for the broader innovation economy. The conversation includes a look at the typical P&L of a venture studio versus a consulting engagement, and a discussion of how this model could reshape competition between consultancies and venture capital firms. #VentureStudio #ConsultingInnovation #McKinsey #Deloitte #BCG #StartupIncubator #CorporateVenture #InnovationEconomy #TalentRetention #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalServices #ConsultingFirms #PodcastEpisode #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #Entrepreneurship #VentureBuilding Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 39 of Service Business Talks explores the growing trend of consulting firms launching their own ESG rating agencies. Lucas and Luna discuss how McKinsey's sustainability ratings arm, launched in 2024, aims to challenge incumbents like MSCI and Sustainalytics. They unpack the conflict of interest concerns—consultants both advising companies on ESG and rating them—and examine the potential impact on the $40 billion ESG data industry. The episode also touches on regulatory scrutiny from the SEC and EU, and what this means for corporate clients trying to navigate the alphabet soup of ESG frameworks. A concrete look at how the consulting industry is reshaping a market it once only advised on. #ESG #SustainabilityRatings #McKinsey #ConsultingFirms #ESGData #MSCI #Sustainalytics #Greenwashing #Regulation #SEC #EU #Business #Podcast #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #ProfessionalServices #Advisory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 38 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna examine the growing trend of consulting firms launching in-house credit and lending divisions. Using the example of a mid-tier firm that started offering working capital advances to its own clients, they break down the economics: why a consultancy can earn 12-15% risk-adjusted returns on a $50 million credit pool, how regulatory arbitrage works, and what this means for traditional lenders. They also discuss the cultural tension between advisory objectivity and being a creditor. A specific, data-driven look at one of the more surprising vertical integrations in professional services. #ConsultingFirms #CreditArms #Lending #ProfessionalServices #VerticalIntegration #WorkingCapital #PrivateCredit #RegulatoryArbitrage #RiskManagement #ClientFinancing #AlternativeLending #BusinessStrategy #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #ConsultingTrends #ProfitPool Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising trend: consulting firms opening their own coffee shops. They dive into how Deloitte's 'The Coffee Club' in London serves as both a client meeting space and a subtle brand immersion tool, generating recurring revenue while reinforcing expertise. The hosts discuss the economics—how a single location can pull in $1.2 million annually—and the strategic rationale: controlling the client environment from arrival to departure. They weigh the risks, like distracting from core consulting work, and consider whether this signals a broader shift toward experiential branding in professional services. Tune in for a concrete, numbers-driven look at why bean counters are now counting beans. #Deloitte #TheCoffeeClub #Consulting #ProfessionalServices #ExperientialBranding #ClientExperience #RevenueStreams #BusinessStrategy #CoffeeShops #BrandImmersion #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #ClientHospitality #Diversification #RetailInConsulting #BusinessModel Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising new trend: top consulting firms are acquiring their own private aviation fleets. They break down the economics behind McKinsey's recent purchase of a six-aircraft fleet from Jet Aviation, including an estimated $85 million upfront cost versus projected savings of $120 million annually in chartered flights. The hosts discuss how this move reshapes partner travel, client perception, and operational efficiency, and whether it signals a broader shift in professional services logistics. #ConsultingFirms #PrivateAviation #McKinsey #JetAviation #BusinessTravel #FleetAcquisition #PartnerProductivity #OperationalEfficiency #CostSavings #ProfessionalServices #CorporateAviation #TravelLogistics #ServiceBusinessTalks #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #PodcastEpisode Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising trend: consulting firms are moving beyond cloud partnerships to buy and build their own data centers. They focus on McKinsey's acquisition of a former IBM data center in New Jersey, a 50,000-square-foot facility that now runs client simulations and proprietary AI models. The hosts break down the economics—why paying $20 million upfront beats a decade of cloud egress fees—and discuss what this means for client trust, data sovereignty, and the future of professional services. Lucas explains the 'data gravity' concept that's pulling strategy firms into infrastructure ownership, while Luna questions whether this creates a new conflict of interest when consultants also control the data pipes. A concrete look at how the biggest names in consulting are becoming hybrid tech firms, one server rack at a time. #Consulting #DataCenters #McKinsey #CloudComputing #Infrastructure #ProfessionalServices #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #DataStrategy #DigitalTransformation #PrivateCloud #DataSovereignty #Hyperscaler #EdgeComputing #ITConsulting #BusinessStrategy #DataGravity Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In Episode 34 of Service Business Talks, Lucas and Luna explore a growing trend among top consulting firms: acquiring and building their own cloud infrastructure. They examine why firms like McKinsey and Deloitte are spending billions on private data centers and edge computing nodes, moving away from relying solely on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. The hosts break down the economics, client data security concerns, and how this shift could reshape the consulting industry's margins and competitive dynamics. Specific examples include McKinsey's QuantumBlack arm investing in private GPU clusters and Deloitte's strategy to offer cloud-agnostic advisory. A must-listen for anyone in professional services or tech strategy. #Consulting #CloudInfrastructure #McKinsey #Deloitte #QuantumBlack #PrivateCloud #DataCenters #GPUClusters #EdgeComputing #CloudAgnostic #BusinessStrategy #ITServices #DataSecurity #ProfessionalServices #TechTrends #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Lucas and Luna explore a surprising trend: consulting firms acquiring niche media and content companies. They examine the strategic rationale—owned audiences, thought leadership at scale, and data from engaged subscribers—using the example of a mid-tier strategy firm buying a B2B publisher. The episode unpacks the economics, the tension between editorial independence and firm agendas, and why this could reshape how professional services market themselves. #Consulting #Media #ContentStrategy #ProfessionalServices #ThoughtLeadership #M&A #B2B #Publishing #Strategy #Branding #AudienceBuilding #SubscriberData #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #ServiceBusinessTalks #ContentMarketing #NicheMedia Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 32 of Service Business Talks explores a growing trend among top consulting firms: building their own public relations and communications agencies in-house. Lucas and Luna examine McKinsey's 2025 launch of McKinsey Communications Group, which poached senior talent from Edelman and Weber Shandwick, and how Deloitte Digital's PR arm has grown to over 200 people. They discuss why firms are moving away from outsourcing media relations, the strategic advantage of controlling thought leadership narratives, and the potential conflicts of interest when consultants also pitch journalists. Specific data: McKinsey's internal PR team now numbers 150+ staff, up from 30 in 2020. The episode also touches on how this trend mirrors earlier moves to build in-house legal and talent agencies, and what it means for independent PR firms competing for corporate clients. #ConsultingFirms #InHousePR #McKinsey #DeloitteDigital #PublicRelations #Communications #ThoughtLeadership #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalServices #AgencyModel #MediaRelations #NarrativeControl #Edelman #WeberShandwick #InHouseAgency #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 31 of Service Business Talks digs into a surprising trend: consulting firms are acquiring or building their own hospitals and clinics. Lucas and Luna explore why firms like McKinsey and Deloitte are moving from advising healthcare systems to operating them. They examine the economics behind the shift — from capturing value in value-based care models to leveraging proprietary data for AI-driven clinical decision support. Specific examples include McKinsey's partnership with a German hospital chain and Deloitte's pilot clinic in the Middle East. The hosts discuss whether this is a logical expansion of consulting capabilities or a risky bet that blurs the line between advisor and operator. Tune in for a grounded look at how professional services firms are reshaping healthcare delivery. #ConsultingFirms #Hospitals #Healthcare #McKinsey #Deloitte #ValueBasedCare #AI #ClinicalDecisionSupport #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #HealthcareDelivery #ProviderOperations #DataMarketplaces #RiskManagement #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 30 of Service Business Talks explores a new strategic shift: top consulting firms are transforming client data into licensable assets. Lucas and Luna examine how McKinsey and Accenture have launched data marketplace platforms, selling anonymized benchmarks, industry indexes, and proprietary datasets to clients and competitors alike. They unpack the economics — firms can earn 8 to 12 figures annually from data licensing — and the ethical tensions: client consent, IP ownership, and the risk of commoditizing proprietary insights. The hosts also discuss how this move changes a consultancy's business model from pure advisory to recurring revenue, and what it means for smaller firms without data scale. A concrete look at how consulting's next revenue stream may not be advice at all — but the data advice generates. #ConsultingDataMarketplaces #McKinsey #Accenture #DataLicensing #RecurringRevenue #ProfessionalServices #BusinessModelInnovation #DataMonetization #ConsultingIndustry #BenchmarkData #Ethics #ClientConsent #IPOwnership #BusinessStrategy #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ConsultingTrends Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 29 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo: Lucas and Luna explore the surprising trend of consulting firms launching their own banking and lending arms. They zero in on one concrete case: how a top-tier strategy firm built a captive bank to offer working capital and acquisition financing to its clients, and what that means for the traditional consultant-banker relationship. The hosts break down the economics—why a consulting firm can lend at better rates than a commercial bank, how regulatory capital requirements work differently for captive banks, and the strategic logic of capturing the financing spread. They also discuss the risks: balance-sheet concentration, talent competition with Wall Street, and potential conflicts of interest with existing client-advisory work. By the end, listeners will understand why a consulting firm might want to become a bank, and whether this model is likely to scale. #ConsultingBanks #CaptiveBanking #StrategyFirms #ManagementConsulting #Financing #Lending #McKinsey #BCG #Bain #PrivateEquity #WorkingCapital #AcquisitionFinancing #ProfessionalServices #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusiness #ConsultingTrends Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 28 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo: Why consulting firms are launching their own insurance carriers instead of partnering with existing insurers. Lucas and Luna examine the case of McKinsey's partnership with a Bermuda-based reinsurer, and how Deloitte, PwC, and EY have followed suit with captives and risk-bearing entities. They explore the economics: consulting firms capture underwriting profit, control policy design for their clients, and create recurring revenue streams outside the traditional advisory fee model. The hosts discuss the regulatory hurdles, capital requirements, and conflicts of interest that arise when a firm that advises on risk also sells insurance. Specific numbers include the $2 billion in premium volume consulting-owned carriers now underwrite, and the 30% net margins some captives achieve versus the 15% typical of pure advisory work. They also touch on how this trend affects corporate clients who now must decide whether to buy insurance from their own consultant. The episode ends with a question: when does a consulting firm become an actual financial institution, and what does that mean for client trust? #Consulting #Insurance #McKinsey #Deloitte #PwC #EY #CaptiveInsurance #Reinsurance #RiskManagement #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalServices #Advisory #Regulation #ConflictOfInterest #RecurringRevenue #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore why consulting firms—from the Big Four to boutique strategy shops—are building shared services centers for back-office functions like HR, IT, and finance. Using the example of KPMG's Global Delivery Center in Bengaluru, which houses over 15,000 employees, they discuss how these centers cut costs by 30-40%, improve quality through standardized processes, and free up senior consultants for client work. Lucas explains the shift from offshoring to co-location near major hubs like Atlanta and Manchester. Luna questions whether this creates a two-tier career path, and Lucas details how firms are handling the cultural challenges. The episode ties the business model of shared services to the broader trend of professional services firms becoming more platform-like, and includes a brief listener support segment referencing the show's focus on practical business insights. Tune in for a grounded look at how consultants are eating their own cooking on operational efficiency. #SharedServices #ConsultingFirms #KPMG #GlobalDeliveryCenter #BackOfficeEfficiency #Offshoring #Bengaluru #BigFour #ProfessionalServices #OperationalExcellence #BusinessStrategy #CostReduction #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Consulting #BoutiqueConsulting #Standardization Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks, Lucas and Luna explore the growing trend of consulting firms acquiring law practices to embed legal services within their consulting offerings. The conversation centers on McKinsey's creation of a new subsidiary, McKinsey Legal Solutions, which now employs over 200 lawyers in the US and UK. Lucas breaks down the numbers: McKinsey's clients are paying an average of 30% less for combined consulting-legal engagements compared to hiring separate firms, while the consultancy generates an additional $800 million in annual revenue from these bundled services. Luna pushes back on regulatory ethics concerns and whether auditors like Deloitte and PwC will follow suit. The episode also touches on the talent race for hybrid consultants with law degrees and how law firms are responding by launching their own strategy arms. A behind-the-scenes moment reveals how listener support funds the show's ad-free model. #McKinsey #ConsultingFirms #LegalServices #LawFirms #AlternativeLegalServices #BundledServices #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #LegalEthics #Deloitte #PwC #BigFour #Regulatory #Business #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ConsultingTrends Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 25 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo dives into the growing trend of consulting firms founding internal staffing agencies to combat talent shortages and reduce reliance on third-party recruiters. Lucas and Luna explore the case of McKinsey's launch of a dedicated talent platform in 2025, which now places over 1,200 former consultants into client roles annually, generating roughly $80 million in fees. They discuss how this model allows firms to retain relationships with alumni, capture revenue that would otherwise go to external headhunters, and offer clients a seamless way to hire vetted talent. The conversation also covers risks, such as potential conflicts of interest and cultural pushback from traditional HR departments. Drawing parallels to Deloitte's alumni network and Accenture's acquisition of talent-matching startups, Lucas and Luna examine whether this is a fleeting innovation or a permanent shift in how professional services firms monetize their people pipeline. The episode is grounded in specific data and real-world examples, offering listeners a concrete understanding of why talent agencies are becoming a strategic arm of modern consultancies. #Consulting #TalentStrategy #McKinsey #Deloitte #Accenture #InternalAgency #Recruitment #AlumniNetwork #ProfessionalServices #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #HumanCapital #WorkforceTrends #Staffing #TalentAcquisition #FutureOfWork #RevenueStreams Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks, Lucas and Luna explore a growing trend: consulting firms launching their own online learning platforms. Lucas dives into Deloitte's launch of Deloitte Academy in 2025, a platform offering over 200 courses on AI, strategy, and digital transformation. He breaks down why a firm with $65 billion in annual revenue is investing in education: it's a client retention play, a talent pipeline, and a new revenue stream. Luna questions whether this cannibalizes traditional consulting engagements, and Lucas explains how it actually creates more demand. They discuss the economics—how a platform can reach tens of thousands of learners at near-zero marginal cost, versus the high cost of partner time. Lucas cites Bain's and McKinsey's similar moves, and they debate whether this is the beginning of the end for the traditional consulting model. A concrete, data-backed look at how consultancies are turning expertise into scalable products. #ConsultingFirms #OnlineLearning #Deloitte #DeloitteAcademy #Bain #McKinsey #BusinessStrategy #DigitalTransformation #AITraining #ClientRetention #TalentPipeline #RevenueDiversification #ScalableProducts #ProfessionalServices #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #EducationTech Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore why major consulting firms like McKinsey, Deloitte, and Accenture are increasingly setting up their own insurance captives — in-house entities that underwrite risk for their own operations and, in some cases, their clients. The conversation focuses on a specific case: Deloitte's 2024 decision to create a Bermuda-based captive for its global professional liability exposure, a move that saved the firm an estimated $40 million annually in premiums. Lucas explains how captives work, why the traditional insurance market has become less attractive for large professional services firms, and what this means for the broader consulting industry. Luna challenges whether this is a genuine innovation or just a tax-optimization play. They also touch on how and why smaller firms might follow suit through group captives. The episode includes a brief, topic-tied listener-support segment early on, encouraging contributions at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. #ConsultingFirms #InsuranceCaptives #Deloitte #RiskManagement #ProfessionalServices #CaptiveInsurance #Bermuda #McKinsey #Accenture #Liability #PremiumSavings #SelfInsurance #TaxOptimization #AlternativeRiskTransfer #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks with Fexingo, Lucas and Luna explore a growing trend in professional services: large consulting firms acquiring marketing and advertising agencies. They anchor on the 2023 acquisition of creative agency Droga5 by Accenture Interactive, and discuss how the $475 million deal reshaped the competitive landscape between traditional consultancies and ad holding companies like WPP. The hosts break down why consultancies are moving into creative work — to capture more of the C-suite marketing budget, offer end-to-end brand transformation, and defend against client attrition from digital disruptors. They also examine the risks: cultural clashes between data-driven consultants and creative agencies, the challenge of retaining creative talent inside a consultancy, and whether the model actually produces better marketing outcomes. A concrete, numbers-driven look at a strategy that has turned marketing agency acquisitions into a multi-billion-dollar play for firms like Accenture, Deloitte, and PwC. #Consulting #MarketingAgencies #AccentureInteractive #Droga5 #MergersAndAcquisitions #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #CreativeAgency #DeloitteDigital #PwC #WPP #BrandTransformation #AdHoldingCompanies #DataDriven #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #Strategy Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 21 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna explore why major consulting firms—including McKinsey and BCG—are investing millions to build proprietary large language models rather than relying solely on off-the-shelf AI from OpenAI or Google. The hosts break down the strategic calculus: client data privacy, customization for industry-specific workflows, and the race to own the consulting AI stack. They examine McKinsey's Lilli platform as a case study, discuss the $100 million-plus price tags, and ask whether this build-versus-buy decision will reshape the economics of professional services. A short, listener-supported donation segment is included early in the episode. #ConsultingAI #McKinsey #BCG #Lilli #ProprietaryModels #LargeLanguageModels #ProfessionalServices #DataPrivacy #AIStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #BuildVsBuy #ClientData #TechInConsulting #GenerativeAI #ConsultingFirms #CustomAI Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 20 of Service Business Talks explores a growing trend in professional services: consulting firms hiring their own former clients as partners and principals. Lucas and Luna examine why firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Deloitte are increasingly recruiting ex-corporate executives rather than traditional MBA pipelines. They dive into a specific case: the 2024 hiring spree by McKinsey's Operations practice, which brought on 12 former supply-chain chiefs from Fortune 500 companies. The hosts discuss how these hires bring insider knowledge of client pain points, shorten sales cycles, and reshape firm culture. Luna challenges whether this risks groupthink, while Lucas argues it's about credibility in an era of skeptical buyers. The episode also touches on how smaller consulting firms can emulate the strategy without the deep pockets of the Big Three. A natural donation segment highlights the show's ad-free model, supported by listeners at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. No prior episodes have covered this angle: the reverse flow of talent from client to consultant. #Consulting #ProfessionalServices #HiringStrategy #FormerClients #McKinsey #BCG #Deloitte #CorporateStrategy #TalentAcquisition #IndustryExperts #OperationsConsulting #ClientRelationships #BusinessGrowth #Podcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #FutureOfWork Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 19 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo: Lucas and Luna examine why top consulting firms are bypassing traditional hiring channels and building their own talent pipelines. Lucas opens with the example of Accenture's apprenticeship program in the US, which has placed over 1,200 people without four-year degrees into client-facing roles since 2023. They explore how EY's 'Career Path Accelerator' and PwC's 'New World. New Skills' academy are reshaping recruiting, and why this shift matters for both firms and candidates. The hosts dig into the numbers: Accenture reported that apprentices have a 25 percent higher retention rate after two years than traditional campus hires. They also discuss the competitive edge this gives firms in a tight labor market, and the risks of credential inflation among clients. The episode ties the trend to broader moves in professional services toward valuing skills over pedigree. A brief donation segment around the 25 percent mark connects the value of these conversations to listener support at buymeacoffee.com/fexingo. #Accenture #EY #PwC #TalentPipeline #Apprenticeships #SkillsBasedHiring #Consulting #ProfessionalServices #FutureOfWork #Retention #Credentials #LaborMarket #CareerPaths #BusinessStrategy #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Episode19 Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Why are top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain building internal private equity capabilities? In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore a quiet but powerful trend: consultancies launching co-investment arms and dedicated PE advisory practices. Lucas breaks down how McKinsey's 2025 move to set up a dedicated co-investment team—deploying over $2 billion alongside PE firms—signals a structural shift in the industry. Luna questions whether this blurs the line between advisor and investor, and whether consultancies can manage the conflict of interest. They discuss real examples, including Bain Capital's spin-off and BCG's minority stakes in portfolio companies. The conversation drills into how these firms are buying equity rather than just billing hours, and what it means for their clients. If you work in professional services or private equity, this 10-minute episode will change how you think about consulting business models. #Consulting #PrivateEquity #McKinsey #BCG #Bain #CoInvestment #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #Advisory #InvestmentBanking #ConsultingFirms #Equity #BusinessModel #ConflictOfInterest #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #Finance Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Lucas and Luna explore the rise of venture studios inside top consulting firms. They break down how firms like McKinsey and BCG are building startups from scratch alongside clients, moving beyond traditional advisory into equity-backed co-creation. The episode digs into the economics: why a venture studio model lets firms capture upside that billable hours never could, how it changes risk profiles, and what it means for consultants who suddenly become entrepreneurs. Specific examples include McKinsey's QuantumBlack spin-out and BCG's partnership with a climate-tech studio. The hosts also address the tension between consulting objectivity and the long-term commitment of building a company. A fresh look at how the industry is quietly reshaping its business model. #VentureStudio #Consulting #McKinsey #BCG #QuantumBlack #BusinessModel #Entrepreneurship #Equity #CoCreation #StartupStudio #ProfessionalServices #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ServiceBusinessTalks #LucasAndLuna #ManagementConsulting Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

In this episode of Service Business Talks, Lucas and Luna explore why top consulting firms like McKinsey and Deloitte are now hiring clinical psychologists and behavioral scientists as full-time staff. They dive into a specific case: McKinsey's 2024 launch of a 12-person Behavioral Insights Team, which has since grown to 30. The team embeds with client engagements to address change management resistance, executive decision biases, and organizational culture friction. Lucas explains how this shifts consulting from strategy-only to strategy-plus-psychology, and why traditional MBAs aren't enough when clients push back on implementation. Luna questions whether this is a genuine capability play or just a premium-service differentiator. They also touch on how psychologists are redesigning consultant training programs to improve client empathy and stakeholder alignment. A fresh angle on the human side of consulting in 2026. #McKinsey #Deloitte #BehavioralInsights #OrganizationalPsychology #ChangeManagement #ConsultingTrends #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #ProfessionalServices #HumanCapital #ExecutiveCoaching #DecisionScience #Implementation #CultureTransformation #ClientEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologyInBusiness Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 15 of Service Business Talks digs into a surprising trend: major consulting firms acquiring niche software-as-a-service products outright. Lucas and Luna examine why Accenture bought a specialized procurement platform, what the acquisition structure looks like, and how integrating SaaS changes the firm-client relationship. They unpack a concrete example: a $350 million deal for a supply-chain tool that gave the acquirer both recurring revenue and a data moat. The hosts also discuss risks—culture clash, sales model friction, and client pushback—and what this means for boutique consultancies considering a product strategy. Specific, grounded, and built for founders and partners thinking about the next move. #ConsultingAcquisitions #SaaS #Accenture #ProfessionalServices #MergersAndAcquisitions #RecurringRevenue #ProductStrategy #BusinessStrategy #ConsultingTrends #TechInConsulting #FirmGrowth #DataMoat #CultureClash #SalesModel #BoutiqueConsulting #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 14 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo. Lucas and Luna explore why top consulting firms like McKinsey and Deloitte are investing millions in custom client portals — digital workspaces where clients can track project milestones, access deliverables, and communicate with the team in real time. Lucas breaks down the economics: a typical portal costs $500,000 to build and maintain, but firms report 20 percent higher client retention and 15 percent faster project completion when using them. Luna pushes back on whether this is just a fancy file-sharing system, and Lucas explains how the best portals use AI to surface relevant insights from past engagements. The episode lands on a concrete prediction: by 2028, a consulting firm without a client portal will be seen as unprofessional, like a firm without email today. #Consulting #ClientPortal #McKinsey #Deloitte #DigitalTransformation #ClientExperience #AI #ProfessionalServices #BusinessStrategy #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #LucasAndLuna #ClientRetention #ProjectManagement #KnowledgeManagement #ConsultingFirms #BusinessTech Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 13 of Service Business Talks dives into a quiet but accelerating trend: the world's biggest consulting firms are acquiring small and mid-sized accounting practices. Lucas and Luna examine the specific case of Bain & Company buying a 50-person tax advisory firm in Dallas last month, and why Deloitte has acquired 14 regional accounting firms since 2022. They break down the strategy—these acquisitions aren't about adding audit capacity; they're about capturing the compliance-adjacent advisory work that generates predictable, recurring revenue. Lucas explains how the economics work: a typical accounting practice trades at 1.2 to 1.8 times revenue, while a consulting firm trades at 2.5 to 3.5 times. Buying accounting firms and converting their clients to higher-margin advisory services creates an instant arbitrage. Luna pushes back on integration risk, and they discuss why the Big Four face regulatory limits that smaller consulting firms don't. The episode closes with a question about whether this wave will pull in private equity firms looking for platform roll-ups. #BainAndCompany #Deloitte #AccountingFirms #ConsultingAcquisitions #TaxAdvisory #ProfessionalServices #MergersAndAcquisitions #RecurringRevenue #FinancialAdvisory #BigFour #PrivateEquity #RollUps #BusinessStrategy #ServiceBusinessTalks #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Consulting #Accounting Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode 12 of Service Business Talks with Fexingo: Lucas and Luna explore why top consulting firms are increasingly hiring former operators — ex-CFOs, ex-COOs, ex-plant managers — instead of traditional MBA graduates. They dive into McKinsey's 'Owner Operator' program, launched in 2024, which now accounts for 12% of senior hires, and how Bain's 'Practitioner Track' embeds retired executives into client teams full-time. Lucas cites a case where a former airline maintenance director brought a $40 million cost-saving insight that no junior consultant could have found. Luna pushes back on whether these hires dilute the 'consultant brand,' and they debate how firms are restructuring compensation to attract talent that would otherwise never join a consultancy. The episode closes with the hosts discussing what this means for the future of professional services — fewer slide decks, more hands-on execution. #ConsultingHiring #OperatorsNotConsultants #McKinsey #BainAndCompany #OwnerOperator #PractitionerTrack #ProfessionalServices #FutureOfConsulting #TalentStrategy #BusinessPodcast #FexingoBusiness #ServiceBusinessTalks #CareerPivot #FormerExecutives #ConsultingIndustry #LaborMarket #HumanCapital #ROIC Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo