Applying the Impact Business Model in Consulting

🎯 1. Define the Change Goal

A consultant wants to deliver more meaningful value to their clients—not just faster outputs, but real transformation. The original idea was to leverage AI to streamline tasks like research or report writing. But a deeper question emerges:

What kind of change do I want to enable for my client—and how do I design for that, not just speed?

💬 Clarifying the Goal:

• Help clients make smarter decisions, not just quicker ones

• Deepen trust and understanding in advisory relationships

• Shift from transactional advice to co-created transformation

⚡ 2. Energize the People Involved

Before touching tech, the consultant turns attention to human energy—both their own and the client's. This step reveals what kind of support or transformation is actually needed.

🔋 Human Energy Prompts

🧠 Cognitive (Clarity, Focus, Insight)

• What key decisions does my client actually need help with?
• Where is my advice making things more complicated instead of clearer?
• Am I challenging my client's thinking—or just validating it?
• How mentally present and sharp am I in our work together?

💓 Emotional (Trust, Empathy, Motivation)

• Does my client feel heard and understood—or just advised?

• How can I build more psychological safety and emotional buy-in?

• What would motivate my client to take bold action on this advice?

• Am I personally invested in this change?

🤝 Social (Collaboration, Belonging, Purpose)

• Are we solving this together—or am I just delivering answers?

• How can I foster a shared mission or purpose in our work?

• What unspoken social dynamics might be shaping this process?

• Could a co-creation approach lead to stronger ownership?

💪 Physical (Presence, Rhythm, Environment)

• Are our meetings energizing or draining—for me and the client?

• Could we shift the format (e.g., walking meeting, offsite, visual aids)?

• Am I noticing physical cues like fatigue, excitement, restlessness?

• Is there enough rhythm and pacing for deep reflection?

🛠️ 3. Build Technology and Systems to Support

Once the human energy is clearer and aligned with the goal, the consultant turns to technology—not as the solution, but as a support system.

💡 Tech as a Multiplier:

• Use AI to generate ideas or draft content, but tailor it based on emotional or cognitive insights

• Automate prep work to create more space for real conversation

• Use generative tools to simulate different perspectives and challenge thinking

• Design visual tools that enhance physical rhythm and comprehension in sessions

🌟 The Result:

By following this human-first approach, the consultant:

• Discovers unmet client needs beyond efficiency

• Designs advisory moments that feel more alive and connected

• Delivers value through transformation, not just tools

This isn't just a better process. It's a new kind of advisory practice—where insight, trust, and co-creation fuel real impact.