August has a sound. It is the sound of quiet. Out-of-office replies multiply, phones fall silent, and the frantic urgency of the first half of the year finally drifts away. For most, it feels like a collective exhale. A time to pause, to coast. But this quiet is deceptive. It is not an absence of […]
The Unfair Advantage of an Empty Office Read More »
It’s impossible to escape the noise around Artificial Intelligence. It’s positioned as the answer to everything from operational efficiency to market disruption. We see the familiar playbook being rolled out by the large consultancies, presenting AI as a universal solution that can be bought and plugged in, instantly transforming any business into a futuristic leader.
Beyond the AI Hype: The Question Most Businesses Forget to Ask Read More »
(But saying it doesn’t mean they know how to do it) You can always tell when a message is starting to land. Not because it’s declared boldly, but because it begins to slip quietly into the language. Not loudly, of course, just quietly buried in their latest research. A recent McKinsey study asked CFOs what
Oh the irony… The big consultancies have finally said it out loud! Read More »
Most Businesses Would Rather Lose a Million Pound Quietly Than Spend Fifty Grand Loudly I came across a short video from Rory Sutherland recently that hit a nerve. One of those deceptively simple stories that exposes something deeper. He was driving past a Shell garage on the A40. From the road, it looked completely shut.
Who’s Switching The Lights On? Read More »
“So what is it you actually do?” A fair question.Especially when you don’t fit neatly into the usual boxes. Not consultancy.Not recruitment.Not interim. And yet — we’re often called in after one of those hasn’t delivered. Because when the board doesn’t want another presentation…When the new system still isn’t working and no one can say
When none of the usual boxes fit… Read More »
The Transformation Illusion Management consultancies have perfected the art of selling transformation. It’s a billion-pound industry built on promises of reinvention, disruption, and bold new futures. And yet, year after year, study after study, the data tells a different story: Yet the same consultancies keep selling the same dream—and executives keep buying it. The Theory
The Great Consulting Farce: Part Two Read More »
Well, it’s that time of year. The nation’s crowned its new celebrity king of the jungle, the Christmas markets are bustling despite the recent weather, and Chris Rea is on his long drive home. But amidst the festive cheer, for executives, this is also the season of reflection. 2024 is almost in the rear-view mirror,
From Reflection to Resolution: How Will You Lead in 2025? Read More »
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer some distant notion – it’s the force reshaping industries at breakneck speed. As Keshav R Murugesh aptly highlights in his article on Raconteur, “What leaders need to know about business transformation in the age of AI,” the era of merely marvelling at AI’s potential is over.
Future-Proofing Your Business in the Age of AI: A COGENT Approach Read More »
The UK’s management consulting industry boomed last year, reaching a staggering £18 billion*. Consultants are lauded for streamlining businesses, yet a nagging question lingers: are these billion-pound ideas actually translating to success for UK companies Let’s face it, many consultancies offer a polished, one-size-fits-all approach. They diagnose problems, present fancy reports, and collect hefty fees
The £18 Billion Blind Spot – Emperors New Clothes? Read More »
COGENT Executive is immensely proud to announce that we have been selected as Ecosystem Partner with CGI for the UK Government’s Cabinet Office Strategic Delivery Partner programme. The five-year contract is valued at £100 million. The contract will partner with the CO Digital function to deliver a range of digital, data and technology services and
COGENT Executive – CGI – Cabinet Office Read More »