Competition vs Collaboration in Consulting

In business, we always have a choice: do we frame the people around us as competitors, or as collaborators? In marketing, especially, where the barriers to entry are low and consultants, agencies, and firms are everywhere, it’s easy to slip into competition mode. We see overlap and assume it means we’re fighting for the same space.

But perspective matters. What looks like “the same service” on the surface may actually be two complementary strengths. Different consultants bring different lenses, and those perspectives can combine to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

That realization has completely shaped how we are building SUITE M. We no longer look at consultants as separate silos—we see them as collaborators in a bigger ecosystem, working together for the client.

A client might work with one consultant for branding, another for systems, and another for HR enablement. Instead of competing for the same client, we collaborate to serve them more fully.

The result? Clients don’t just get fragmented advice—they get integrated, well-rounded solutions. Collaboration doesn’t shrink the pie; it makes it bigger.

So the next time you feel tempted to guard your turf, ask yourself: What could be possible if we built together instead of apart?