We are happy to present our annual guide to the top tools that every management consultant should know. In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape, keeping track of the best software solutions can be quite challenging. As consultants need to excel in various areas—such as research, analysis, slide design, collaboration, and writing—knowing the best solutions is a must.
In this blog post, we delve into the essential tools that will help you navigate and thrive in this dynamic environment, substantially changed and accelerated by the pursuit of AI. Our aim is to equip you with the resources you need to outperform in all facets of consultancy work, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve.
Join us as we explore the top tools for 2024 and empower your consultancy practice with the best solutions available. We also highlight the categories and skills where our AI assistant, Brian, demonstrates his unique all-in-one capabilities for your advantage—from creative writing and image generation to research and collaboration.
AI-powered tools are transforming how we work. This article explores the must-have tools that will keep you up to date in the changing consulting world of 2024. We wish you a great read!
File Handling Tools
Proper file management is crucial for any consultant dealing with a diverse range of documents and data. Here are the top three tools we recommend for file handling:
- DeepL is a powerful file translation tool that supports multiple document formats. Utilizing advanced neural network technology, DeepL provides highly accurate translations, often surpassing other translation services with its natural-sounding results. Whether working with PDFs, Word documents, or other file types, DeepL ensures your translated content retains its original nuance and readability.
- ABBYY excels in optical character recognition (OCR) and document conversion. It’s particularly adept at accurately extracting text from scanned documents and images. With support for over 200 languages, ABBYY is invaluable for consultants who need to handle a wide variety of document types from different regions. Its ability to convert these documents into editable formats can save immense time and effort.
- Grammarly is a powerful writing assistant that goes beyond basic spell-checking to provide comprehensive grammar, style, and tone suggestions. Its ability to integrate with various platforms and offer real-time corrections makes it indispensable for consultants who need to produce flawless, professional documents consistently.
If you are looking for an all-in-one solution for file handling, Brian may be the right tool for you. He can translate and convert files, handle various PDF processes, transcribe videos and audio, and efficiently summarize documents and websites.
Research Tools
Choosing the best tools can be tricky, as many offer excellent services within their specific areas. However, this is also where tools tend to be pricier, often reaching several thousand euros per month per license. Based on our experience, here are three tools we’d like to highlight for you:
- Morningstar is a leading provider of independent investment research and data. Featuring a comprehensive database of stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs, Morningstar combines vast data resources with in-depth analysis and ratings. It’s an invaluable resource for consultants in finance and investment advisory roles, helping them make informed decisions and provide robust recommendations to clients.
- Gartner is renowned for its technology research and advisory services. It provides an extensive library of reports, market forecasts, and industry insights across various IT sectors. This depth of information helps consultants stay ahead of technology trends and make data-driven recommendations, positioning them as thought leaders and valuable advisors in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
- Crunchbase is a vast platform for finding business information about private and public companies. Its comprehensive database includes details about startups, funding rounds, and key business figures, making it an essential tool for consultants involved in market research, competitive analysis, and venture capital advisory. With Crunchbase, consultants can quickly gather the insights needed to inform strategic decisions and stay ahead in competitive environments.
Generative AI Tools
The generative AI landscape is evolving rapidly, with the leader in large language models changing frequently due to recent releases. At the same time, the strategies and business models of these players are starting to diverge as also seen in their strategic partnerships. As an example, the integration of OpenAI into Microsoft Copilot instantly made it the go-to solution for business users (learn more about Microsoft Copilot here). Furthermore, differences in capabilities are becoming more apparent, especially in the application layer of generative AI. That’s why we’ve focused on three categories: LLM, image generation, and research capabilities. Within these three areas, here are our top three tools:
- OpenAI is at the forefront of artificial intelligence research and development. Its GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models, particularly GPT-4, have revolutionized natural language processing, enabling consultants to generate high-quality content, analyze complex data, and automate various tasks with unprecedented efficiency.
- black forest labs (Flux). is an innovative AI-powered image enhancement tool that significantly improves the quality of visuals. Its ability to sharpen details and enhance colors makes it invaluable for consultants who need to create impactful presentations and reports, ensuring that their visual content is of the highest professional standard.
- Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that combines the power of large language models with real-time web information. Its ability to provide concise, up-to-date answers to complex queries makes it an invaluable tool for consultants seeking quick insights or conducting rapid research on various topics.
Slide Graphics Tools
Creating impactful slide graphics can make or break your presentation. The right tools can save you time and elevate your visuals. Here are our top three picks to help you create stunning slides and streamline your workflow:
- Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that allows users to create stunning presentations and visuals effortlessly. With its extensive library of templates, images, and design elements, consultants can quickly produce professional-looking slides that effectively communicate their ideas.
- think-cell is a powerful productivity tool specifically designed for creating charts and slides in Microsoft PowerPoint. Its advanced features streamline the process of creating complex visualizations, allowing consultants to focus on their content rather than spending time on formatting and design.
- 24 Slides offers a wide range of professionally designed templates that cater to various presentation needs. By providing high-quality slide templates, it allows consultants to save time and effort while ensuring their presentations maintain a polished and professional appearance.
Collaboration
Collaboration is the lifeblood of any successful consulting project. These tools can help you communicate seamlessly, manage tasks efficiently, and work together virtually. While giants like Microsoft and Google have embraced collaboration in their product suites, smaller tools often outperform them in specific areas. One area with huge potential is knowledge management. Finding files, extracting content from files, and generating content based on existing files are all evolving use cases in this category. Make sure to check out our upcoming blog on this topic soon!
Here are our top picks for collaboration:
- Microsoft Teams is a powerful communication platform that enables teams to collaborate, share files, and engage in real-time conversations. Its seamless integration with other Microsoft tools makes it an ideal choice for consultants working on complex projects.
- Monday is a versatile task management tool that streamlines TO-DO lists, workflows, and project tracking. Its customizable boards and automated workflows ensure that team members stay on top of tasks, deadlines, and dependencies.
- Miro is a virtual collaboration platform that enables teams to brainstorm, design, and problem-solve in real-time. Its interactive whiteboards, sticky notes, and other collaboration tools facilitate creative thinking and foster a sense of community, even in remote teams.
More: Beyond the Basics
Consultants also need tools that go beyond the ordinary. These tools can help you gather insights, create engaging content, and manage client relationships effectively. Here are our top picks:
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- SurveyMonkey is a powerful tool for creating and conducting surveys. Its user-friendly interface and advanced features make it easy to design surveys, collect data, and analyze results. This is essential for gathering feedback from clients, conducting market research, and measuring the impact of your consulting projects.
- Synthesia is an AI-powered video creation platform that allows you to create professional-looking videos with ease. You can create explainer videos, product demos, and even training materials, all without needing expensive video production equipment or expertise. This can be a game-changer for consultants looking to create engaging and informative content for their clients.
- Power BI is Microsoft’s powerful business analytics solution that enables consultants to visualize and analyze complex data sets with ease. Its interactive dashboards and reports, coupled with its ability to connect to various data sources, make it an essential tool for consultants who need to derive actionable insights from large volumes of data.
The All-in-One AI Assistant for Consultants
Brian integrates a wide array of features, eliminating the need for consultants to switch between multiple applications, thus saving time and reducing complexity. Its AI-powered capabilities make it the ideal all-in-one choice for boosting productivity and delivering consistent value to you.
Generative AI: Brian provides consultants with access to the latest GPT models for optimal results, creates images to enhance presentations and reports, and supports research by gathering and analyzing information more efficiently.
File Handling: Brian excels in file handling tasks, offering translation services for multilingual projects, efficient file conversion to streamline workflow, accurate transcription for audio and video content, and intelligent summarization to extract key points from lengthy documents.
Research: In the research domain, Brian provides comprehensive information on both public and private companies, giving consultants access to proprietary business intelligence. Additionally, Brian offers primers on various topics, serving as a quick reference guide for consultants needing to brush up on specific subjects.
Slide Graphics: For presentation creation, Brian offers a wide range of templates, ensuring professional-looking slides. It also provides access to a diverse collection of pictures and icons, allowing consultants to create visually appealing and impactful presentations.
If you would like to find out more about Brian, click here: