4 min read

Why Top Consulting Firms Rely on Expert Calls for Primary Research

Top consulting firms rely on expert calls because great strategy demands real-world insight, fast. When timelines are tight and stakes are high, these calls deliver speed, depth, and context no report can match. At Nextyn, we connect consultants with experts who’ve lived the challenge, providing clarity that powers smarter recommendations. In today’s competitive landscape, expert calls aren’t just a tool, they’re a differentiator. Because the best strategies begin with the right conversations.
Illustration of business professionals watching an expert speak on a laptop during a virtual call. A phone icon, bar chart, and upward arrow in the background suggest strategic consulting, expert insights, and business growth.
Written by
Nikunj Sharma
Published on
July 2025

Introduction:

Management consultants are in the business of solving complex problems fast. Whether it's diagnosing an operational bottleneck, developing a go-to-market plan, or evaluating an M&A target, the clock is always ticking.

And in a profession where every recommendation needs to be backed by solid reasoning, the quality of consulting research is everything.

So, how do top consulting firms consistently deliver insights that are timely, accurate, and strategically sound?

One answer: Expert calls.

 

The Evolution of Primary Research in Consulting

Gone are the days when consulting teams could lean entirely on secondary sources and client-provided data. Today’s business challenges demand first-hand intelligence real-world perspective from people with direct, relevant experience.

That’s where primary research methods come in. Surveys, focus groups, and interviews all play a role. But when time is shortand precision is critical, few tools offer as much value as a well-executed expert call.

Expert calls offer access to strategic insight in its rawest form whether it's a former COO describing supply chain challenges in a niche market or a regulatory veteran breaking down unseen compliance risks in anew region.

 

Why Expert Calls Are a Go-To in Consulting Research

Top-tier consulting firms from global giants to specialized boutiques increasingly use expert networks as a core part of their insight strategy.

Here’s why:

1. Speed Without Sacrificing Depth

When a team is working on a two-week sprint to evaluate market entry potential, there’s no time for long-cycle research. Expert calls enable consultants to access highly specific, experience-based knowledge sometimes within 24 to 48 hours.

2. Context You Can’t Google

Desktop research can tell you what happened. An expert can tell you why and what most people missed. It’s this contextual layer that helps consultants create recommendations that are both credible and pragmatic.

3. Strategic Insight That Builds Client Confidence

Clients want to know that the strategy they’re paying for has been vetted beyond theoretical models. Quoting an expert who’s executed a similar transformation, or scaled operation sin a relevant market, adds tremendous weight to a consulting team’s final deliverable.

An infographic titled “Expert Calls in Consulting Research” features three concentric circles increasing in size from the center outward. Each circle represents a deeper layer of value derived from expert consultations:  Strategic Insight (innermost green circle)  Description: “Builds client confidence with real-world validation”  Contextual Understanding (middle blue circle)  Description: “Provides insights beyond surface-level data”  Speed and Efficiency (outermost light blue circle)  Description: “Enables quick access to specialized knowledge”  The design visually suggests that while speed is the most immediate benefit, the deepest value lies in achieving strategic insights through layered understanding. Each circle is labeled with a horizontal line connecting to the benefit text on the left.

Expert Networks: The Backbone Behind the Scenes

Of course, this level of access doesn’t just happen on its own. That’s where expert networks like Nextyn come in.

Nextyn specializes in connecting consulting teams with the right experts quickly, globally, and across industries. But it’s not just about volume. What sets Nextyn apart is precision: finding professionals who’ve lived the client’s challenge, and who can speak not just from experience, but with clarity.

Whether it’s for a one-off call or part of a structured research engagement, firms rely on Nextyn to fuel their thinking with primary research methods that are fast, direct, and deeply relevant.

 

A Critical Edge in a Competitive Industry

In a consulting landscape that’s more competitive than ever, expert calls are a source of edge helping teams build smarter models, craft more grounded recommendations, and deliver greater value to their clients.

They’re not just a research tool. They’re a source of differentiation.

And as project timelines shrink and client expectations grow, expect to see expert networks become even more integrated into the DNA of consulting research.

 

Final Thought

In consulting, insight is currency. And the most trusted firms know that great insight often begins with a single, well-placed question asked to someone who’s already walked the path.

That’s what expert calls deliver.

At Nextyn, we’re proud to support consulting firms as they build sharper strategies, faster. If your team is working on a high-stakes project and needs insight that moves the needle, we’ll connect you with the right voice at the right time.

Because in the end, strategy is only as good as the insight behind it.

 

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