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PODCAST

Smart Consulting Sourcing

Hélène Laffitte / Consulting Quest

Each week Hélène Laffitte, consulting sourcing expert and CEO of Consulting Quest, gives you the keys to better use, manage, and source consulting services.

business management

All Episodes

24:09

How to Buy Consulting in the Age of AI

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2026/02/17

Can AI replace procurement when buying consulting?The narrative suggests automation is inevitable — the reality is more nuanced. In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte explains what AI actually changes in consulting procurement — and what it doesn’t. AI isn’t replacing buyers — it’s exposing weak briefs, loose evaluation criteria, and superficial proposal analysis. It can sharpen RFPs, structure comparisons, and challenge fuzzy thinking. But it cannot assume accountability,

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4:46

How Should You Handle Conflicts of Interest in...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2026/02/02

In this Quick Take on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO at Consulting Quest, explains how to handle conflicts of interest in consulting projects and why they represent a critical risk in professional services.Discover how companies can manage consulting conflicts of interest in a practical and balanced way by setting clear boundaries in consulting contracts and MSAs, reinforcing commitments at the project level, and monitoring risks over time — all in under three minutes.

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2:11

How Can Make-or-Buy Strategy Simplify Choosing the...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/10/23

In this Quick Take on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO at Consulting Quest, unpacks how a make-or-buy strategy can help you design smarter consulting delivery models. Discover how this simple framework clarifies what to keep in-house, what to outsource, and how to maximize value from your consulting partners — all in under three minutes! Learn how to avoid over-outsourcing, reduce costs, and get the expertise you really need.

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16:55

The Gen AI Effect: Why AI Won’t Replace McKinsey —...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/10/16

Can ChatGPT really replace McKinsey? The hype says yes—but the truth? Not even close. In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte cuts through the noise and reveals how Generative AI is truly reshaping the consulting world.AI isn’t killing consulting—it’s killing bad consulting. From flashy claims to “10 prompts to replace McKinsey” memes, Hélène explains why technology can’t substitute for real expertise, context, and judgment. She breaks down how Gen AI actually works, where it

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2:21

Beyond Go-Live: How to Optimize Your Digital...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/09/25

Go-live might feel like a win—but it’s not the endgame. In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte explains why launching your digital consulting procurement platform is just the beginning. True maturity comes from how you use the tool to evolve behaviors, refine processes, and drive better outcomes. From training users effectively to adapting configurations and pushing for continuous improvement, Hélène reveals three powerful levers that help procurement leaders

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13:30

Don’t Digitize Broken Processes: Start with a...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/09/18

Thinking about digitizing your consulting procurement process? Before you hit “deploy,” make sure you’ve got the right foundation in place. In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, explains why digital tools can’t fix broken processes and why starting with a Procurement Maturity Assessment is essential. You’ll learn how to diagnose your consulting procurement capability, avoid costly tech missteps, and build a transformation roadmap with clarity and

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02:45

How Digital Tools Are Revolutionizing Consulting Spend

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/06/26

Can your consulting spend be smarter — just by using better tools? In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down how digital platforms are revolutionizing the way companies manage their consulting spend. Discover what the latest tools can really do — and why strategy still comes first. Tune in now.

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18:01

Smart Consulting Utilization: How to Do More with Less

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/06/19

How do you get the most from your consulting budget without compromising impact? In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, shares a pragmatic, no-fluff approach to consulting utilization. Discover how to prioritize projects, choose the right delivery model, and unlock new sourcing options that stretch your budget and accelerate transformation. Tune in now.

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04:05

Spend Analysis Are You Asking the Right Questions?

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/05/22

Think spend analysis is just adding up invoices? Think again. In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down why real spend analysis is about insight; not just data. She shares five smart questions every procurement leader should ask to uncover inefficiencies, align suppliers with project needs, and boost the ROI of consulting spend.If you want to stop reacting and start optimizing, this is your playbook. Tune in now and turn your

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03:26

Why Consulting Procurement Leaders Need to Brush Up...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/04/17

Change management might not be in your procurement job description, but it should be. In this Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing episode, Hélène Lafitte explains why procurement professionals play a critical role in setting consulting projects up for success. From spotting misalignment early to designing collaboration into the process, Hélène shows how procurement can act as a catalyst for change even before the consultants are hired.Tune in to discover how change fluency can make you a

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04:13

What to Look for in a Consulting Agreement – A...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/04/03

A consulting agreement might not be flashy — but it’s one of the most critical tools in your consulting procurement arsenal. In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down the seven must-have elements every procurement pro should scrutinize before signing a consulting contract. From scope clarity and payment terms to IP rights and termination clauses, she highlights how a well-crafted agreement sets the stage for project success —

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20:19

Refining Make-or-Buy Strategies for Consulting Projects

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/03/27

In this thought-provoking episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Helene Lafitte unpacks a question that every organization faces but few answer strategically: should you handle a consulting project in-house or bring in external experts?With humor, clarity, and a practical five-pillar framework, Helene guides you through the complexities of the make-or-buy decision—looking beyond cost to consider capability, strategic value, and long-term impact. If you’re tired of defaulting to habit and ready

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03:59

What Does It Take to Build High-Performing Internal...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/03/13

Should you invest in an internal consulting team? In this episode of Quick Takes with Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down the strategic considerations behind this crucial decision. From analyzing consulting spend to defining a clear team mandate, she explains why internal consulting is about more than just cutting costs; it's about driving long-term efficiency, retaining knowledge, and optimizing ROI.Discover when to build in-house expertise, when to

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18:36

Internal Consulting Groups: An Underrated Lever to...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/03/06

Companies spend billions on external consultants, but is there a better way? In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, explores the growing trend of Internal Consulting Groups and how they can serve as a powerful strategic asset. Far from being just a cost-cutting measure, internal consulting helps organizations retain knowledge, develop future leaders, and optimize consulting spend without sacrificing expertise.Discover how leading companies like

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03:45

What Makes Change Management Different in Consulting...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/02/21

Change management is crucial in any procurement transformation, but when it comes to consulting, it takes on a whole new level of complexity. In this episode of QuickTakes with Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, explores why change management in consulting procurement is fundamentally different. From the intangibility of consulting services to the high-level stakeholder sensitivities, she unpacks the unique challenges and shares key strategies to ensure success.If

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23:19

Five Pitfalls to Avoid When Digitalizing Consulting...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/02/13

Digitalizing consulting procurement offers immense potential—efficiency, transparency, and smarter decision-making. But without the right approach, organizations can fall into common traps that hinder progress.In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down the five biggest pitfalls companies face when implementing digital procurement solutions. From mistaking tools for the solution to ignoring stakeholder buy-in and overcomplicating the process,

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04:17

How to Foster Collaboration Between Procurement and...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/02/06

In today’s fast-paced digital world, effective collaboration between procurement and business lines is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. In this episode of Quick Takes with Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, unpacks how organizations can break down silos and foster seamless collaboration. From understanding each other’s priorities to leveraging digital tools for transparency, she shares actionable strategies to build trust and co-create processes that drive

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14:17

Why Digital Transformation in Consulting Procurement...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2025/01/17

Digital transformation isn’t just about flashy new tools—it’s about redefining how we work. In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Helene Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, dives deep into the pivotal role of change management in digital procurement transformation. From real-world challenges like misaligned teams to actionable strategies for driving success, Helene breaks down why transformation in consulting procurement requires more than technology—it demands a mindset shift and strategic

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19:27

Centralised vs. Decentralised Procurement: Which...

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2024/11/21

In the world of procurement, centralised vs. decentralised procurement structures is one of the most debated topics. Should you centralize your consulting procurement? Opt for a decentralised approach? Or is the ideal solution a balanced hybrid?There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but in this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Helene dives deep into these concepts to help you determine which structure best suits your organisation. She explores what centralised and decentralised procurement

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24:55

Getting involved earlier as a procurement leader

Smart Consulting Sourcing ·

2024/11/08

We’re back with another Q&A episode of the Smart Consulting Sourcing Podcast! Today, we're tackling a critical topic: the impact of early procurement involvement in consulting projects.Ever wondered how involving procurement right from the start can transform your consulting outcomes? What strategies can help align stakeholders effectively? And how do you overcome the common challenges of gaining buy-in from senior executives? If you’re ready to elevate your consulting game and maximize the

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137 results

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