Author: Chantelle van den Heever
Big corporates and consultancies have always shared a complex relationship. Corporates turn to consultancies for fresh, innovative solutions designed to reshape industries and drive growth. But beneath the polished pitches and promises of collaboration lies an uncomfortable reality.
Some corporates are crossing the line from partnership into exploitation. Solutions pitched in good faith are quietly absorbed, repackaged, and implemented without the very partners who created them. This isn’t disruption; it’s theft disguised as innovation. And it reeks of desperation.
Instead of building genuine partnerships, consultancies are too often treated like vending machines—insert briefing, extract brilliance, discard collaboration. This hollow approach undermines ethical business practices and destroys the trust that fuels true innovation.
The Profit Problem
Profit margins are a measure of success, but excess comes at a cost. In financial services, robust margins typically range between 15% and 25%, allowing businesses to reinvest in their people, ideas, and future growth. But when those margins soar past 30%, someone always pays the price.
Underpaid workers, squeezed suppliers, undervalued consultants—it’s these corners that are cut in the relentless pursuit of profitability. While the numbers might look good on paper, the long-term damage is inevitable.
The Bottom Line on Ethics
There’s a question that too many businesses are avoiding: is this really progress, or just profit at any cost?
Driving up margins by exploiting external expertise is not disruption; it’s desperation masquerading as strategy. The result? Short-term gains at the expense of long-term trust, integrity, and sustainability.
The Alternative Isn’t Expensive—It’s Essential
Invest in partnerships that respect the value of expertise. Pay consultants what they’re worth, and you’ll find the returns far outweigh the cost. This isn’t just about doing what’s right; it’s about building a business that can thrive sustainably in a competitive world.
Looking for a consultancy that gets it? At VSLS Human Capital, we don’t just deliver value; we ensure it flows back to your customers where it belongs.
Let’s rewrite the rules together. Contact us at www.vsls.com to find out how.
