Permanent hire
Traditional consultant
Fase To
Best when
The need is lasting, the role is clear, and the company is ready for a long-term hire.
A defined problem needs to be analysed, assessed, or solved with specialist expertise.
The company needs experienced leadership that both sets direction and creates progress now.
Responsibility
Full internal ownership and long-term responsibility within the organisation.
Delivers analysis, a recommendation, or a defined project. Implementation is often left to the client.
Joins as part of the leadership team and takes decision-making and execution responsibility in agreed areas.
Flexibility
Lower. The role and cost base are harder to adjust as the need changes.
High within a clear mandate, but less suited as integrated leadership capacity.
Role, capacity and duration can be adjusted in step with the need and the phase.
Ramp-up
Recruitment, notice periods and onboarding often mean it takes 6+ months to reach full effect.
Can start quickly once the problem, deliverable and mandate are clearly defined.
A short distance from clarification to operational responsibility and progress.
Commitment and risk
High commitment. A bad hire can be costly and time-consuming to correct.
Lower commitment, but the effect often depends on internal capacity to follow up and execute.
No lock-in period, and flexible capacity when it's needed.