Future Fuzz - The Digital Marketing Podcast Ep. 135 - How Consultants Diagnose Business Blind Spots - Stuart Jackson
In this episode of Future Fuzz, Vince Quinn speaks with Stuart Jackson, Vice Chairman of L.E.K. Consulting, about the intersection of problem-solving and people skills in consulting. Stuart shares insights from his four-decade journey at L.E.K., from joining when it was a 10-person startup to helping it become a global force. He breaks down how L.E.K. identifies critical moments in a business, crafts tailored solutions, and fosters internal trust and collaboration. The episode also dives into L.E.K.'s unique approach to marketing professional services and why in-person connections still matter in the digital age.
Guest Bio
Stuart Jackson is Vice Chairman of L.E.K. Consulting, a global strategy consultancy that helps businesses tackle mission-critical decisions. With over 40 years at the firm, Stuart has held roles spanning from office leader to head of the U.S. and global managing partner. Under his leadership, L.E.K. tripled both revenue and profitability. He is the author of Predictable Winners, a book focused on what it takes for companies to consistently innovate successfully. Stuart is passionate about problem-solving, business diagnostics, and mentoring the next generation of consultants.
Takeaways
- The hardest part of problem-solving is often figuring out the right question to ask.
- L.E.K. helps clients during “critical moments” like stalled growth or declining profitability.
- Deep client relationships and face-to-face interactions still matter—even in a digital world.
- L.E.K. transformed its business development by embedding structured outreach into its marketing operations.
- Trust across global offices enables seamless collaboration and high performance.
- Professional services must balance client delivery with proactive relationship management to avoid feast-or-famine cycles.
- Programs like international staff swaps build institutional knowledge and foster a “one firm” culture.
Chapters
00:00 Intro: Vince Quinn Welcomes Stuart Jackson
00:32 What L.E.K. Consulting Does and Stuart's Career Journey
02:37 Diagnosing Business Problems Like a Doctor
04:51 Growth Case Study: From $10M to $700M in Revenue
06:37 Profitability Case Study: Samsonite’s Global Restructuring
08:07 Why Consulting at L.E.K. Is Like Solving a Puzzle
10:28 How L.E.K. Approaches Marketing in Professional Services
12:50 Building Client Relationships Beyond Projects
14:12 The Power of FaceTime in Client Retention
15:27 A Hunting Trip that Built Deeper Client Trust
17:11 Referrals and Staying Top of Mind
18:21 How Global Collaboration Works at L.E.K.
19:45 The Swap Program and Cross-Office Learning
20:46 Where to Learn More About L.E.K.
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