Show Notes: Chad Oakley, CEO at the executive search firm at Charles Harris, discusses the current state of the consulting job market. He kicks off the conversation by explaining who Charles Harris is and what they do. Chad shares his perspective on three key areas: the market for strategic services, training Chief Strategy officers, and advice for Chief Strategy officers to make themselves more valuable in a down market. The Market for Strategic Services He states that the market for consulting services is currently down significantly due to the down macro environment. Major consulting firms like Bain, BCG, McKinsey, Deloitte, ey, and Accenture have experienced a decline in revenues and project counts. However, they are hopeful that the current low watermark will lead to increased demand, but they are not seeing significant improvements just yet. The good news is that the need for strategy never goes away, and the market for consulting services is often a bellwether for how companies think about strategy these days. As the market continues to down, it is crucial for companies to focus on new and exciting strategic initiatives during downturns and outperform competitors when the market rebounds. He explains that the consulting industry is experiencing a tight market, with more people on the beach than in the last five to five years. Consulting firms are implementing recessionary strategies, such as lowering bonuses, reducing annual raises, and slowing promotions. He talks about delayed start dates, takes a look back at 2023, and how the current situation compares to 2009 and how 2024 is shaping up. He explains that Chief Strategy officers from incorporations are hearing more about companies slowing down strategic projects, special projects, and extraneous growth initiatives. They are also concerned about layoffs and job security, so they want to be on the radar screen for potential opportunities. Advice for Chief Strategy Officers  When there are fewer opportunities, Chief Strategy Officers still have the same tasks. He talks about a bright spot for independent consultants and that connecting with these individuals and offering contract solutions can help consultants navigate the market downturn. Private equity-backed companies tend to have more flexibility and are willing to spend money when it will help them make money. He recommends a variety of different companies to consider during this time. He also explains that during a downturn, Chief Strategy Officers (CSO) focus on short-term versus long-term initiatives. In a market downturn, companies tend to retrench to their core products and services, making it more risky for CSOs and consultants working on long-term projects. Instead, they should focus on projects that make a quantifiable impact in the short term, such as increasing revenue or decreasing costs, and focusing on core products or services. Chad mentions a few areas that are profitable in the short term.  He recommends that CSOs should also create more stability in their roles by taking on more than just strategy. This can include adding other functions to their responsibilities, such as corporate development and transformation initiatives or strategy and communication, AI. Chad also mentions how having a well-managed team helps promote a consultant's value to the company. CSO’s often become known as a feeder for future stars in the business, as they bring Rockstar talent to the company. Functional Areas in the Current Market The US is seeing more opportunity in industrials due to a significant onshoring movement and a slowdown in consumer packaged goods and retail sectors. This shift has created more opportunities for companies that are doing more manufacturing internally, with more growth in the industrial space, and they require more support. However, private equity remains a hot and heavy market, with deal flow decreasing. In 2022, the largest year of merger and acquisition deals in private equity history, and