Episode 113

March 5, 2026

Operationalizing AI in Consulting: Governance, Talent Shifts & the Move to Outcome-Based Pricing w/Tom Rodenhauser

View Show Notes

AI is no longer a futuristic add-on for consulting firms, it’s reshaping how firms operate, price, hire, and deliver outcomes.


In this episode Brent sits down with Tom Rodenhauser of K2 Consulting Research (formerly Kennedy Intelligence) to unpack what’s actually happening inside consulting firms as they operationalize AI. From boutique firms building knowledge engines that rival global players, to the governance structures required to protect client trust, to the accelerating shift away from time-based billing, this conversation separates hype from reality.


Key Topics Covered

  • How boutique firms are competing with global giants
  • The changing role of consultants (especially junior talent)
  • Governance isn’t optional, it’s the prerequisite for trust.
  • Transparency as a competitive advantage
  • Outcome-based pricing is the future, but only for firms that can clearly define and measure results.
  • Measurable internal impact and the time savings creating space for higher-value conversations and business development


Host

Banoo Behboodi

Vice President, Success Engineering

Banoo Behboodi is a 20+ year software and services leader with extensive experience executing change initiatives with oversight of Customer Success, Professional Services and Delivery and Consulting functions. Banoo’s earlier experiences with AT&T Mobility, Coca-Cola Company and Ernst & Young leading key transformational and compliance projects, provided the foundation needed to be an effective leader and a change agent with a customer first mindset. Banoo is passionate about driving continuous improvement through sharing best practices and empowering resources through technology and analytics to optimize performance and job satisfaction while driving business outcomes.

Host

Brent Trimble

Vice President, Value Engineering

Brent brings more than 15+ year’s of leadership experience in Management Consulting, Strategic Delivery, Marketing services and product development firms to his technology role at Kantata. As the VP of Value Engineering and the Managing Director of Marketing Service & Agency Vertical, he specializes in identifying process improvement potential, business optimization and key health metrics for alignment and orientation.

With deep business understanding through an operator lens - Brent works with Kantata partner firms to refine intrinsic and extrinsic value drivers - giving firm principals the focus required for adoption, mobilization, value realization and ultimately - success.

Prior to joining Kantata, Brent was a client of the platform and held positions at Interpublic Group, Accenture, WPP, and independent marketing consulting firms.