Wilton Exec on Translating Strategy to Process
Boutique consulting firm Wilton is shifting its talent strategy to find professionals who can "translate strategy into scalable, repeatable processes." In a recent talk, Wilton's Gary Landes highlighted the firm's focus on applicants with proven experience in operational improvement and cross-functional project management.
The emphasis on "translating strategy" reflects a broader trend in the consulting industry, where clients are demanding tangible outcomes over pure strategic advice. Boutique firms, in particular, are winning business by demonstrating their ability to implement and operationalize recommendations, moving beyond slide decks to hands-on execution. This has led to a surge in demand for consultants with a hybrid skillset of strategic thinking and operational expertise. Gary Landes, a Managing Partner at Wilton & Bain since 2007, specializes in executive search for the professional services industry, including management consulting and technology services. His focus on "scalable, repeatable processes" indicates that Wilton & Bain's clients—other consulting firms—are themselves under pressure to deliver more efficient and consistent results. This requires a new breed of consultant who can build systems, not just provide one-off solutions. The talent search extends beyond traditional MBA programs, with firms increasingly targeting candidates with backgrounds in operations, engineering, and product management. Experience with methodologies like Lean Six Sigma, Agile, and business process re-engineering is highly valued. This shift reflects a move away from theoretical frameworks towards proven, real-world experience in improving business performance. For professionals looking to transition into consulting, this trend presents a significant opportunity. Highlighting a track record of leading cross-functional projects, automating processes, and delivering measurable improvements in efficiency or cost savings can be more compelling than a purely strategic background. Firms are looking for individuals who can not only identify problems but also build the systems and processes to solve them at scale. Boutique consulting firms are experiencing faster growth in 2026 by being more agile and specialized than their larger counterparts. Many are adopting a flexible model, using on-demand industry specialists to scale for larger projects without the overhead of a large full-time staff. This allows them to offer deep, niche expertise in areas like digital transformation and data analytics, which are in high demand. The day-to-day responsibilities in an enterprise strategy role at a boutique firm often involve more hands-on work and closer client relationships than at a larger firm. Consultants are expected to be both thinkers and doers, working as an extension of the client's team to not only devise strategy but also to see it through to implementation. This requires a practical, results-oriented mindset and strong project management skills.
