In this episode of The Consultancy Edge, Matt Hodkinson sits down with James Thomlinson (Sprint Partners) to unpack a question almost every consultancy leader is asking right now:

Why does marketing feel so much harder than it used to… and what actually works now?

From shrinking attention spans and squeezed budgets to the “sea of same” created by AI-generated content, James shares what’s changed, what’s broken, and how boutique consultancies can still stand out, build trust, and win work in a slower, more uncertain market.

You’ll hear practical insight on:

• Why “more channels” doesn’t mean more results
• How AI is making average marketing even more invisible
• The real role of human thinking in a world of automated output
• Building a pipeline that doesn’t rely on luck (or referrals)
• Why sales cycles are dragging — and how to keep momentum
• What top-performing firms do differently (James’ “Growth Accelerator” lens)
• The shift from “people-first” to tech-first, people-powered
• A simple reminder that might be the most valuable of all: stop perfecting, start moving

If your marketing feels sluggish, unpredictable, or harder to justify than ever — this one will reset your strategy and give you a clearer plan for 2026.

Connect with James Thomlinson at Sprint Partners:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jthomlinson/

Connect with Matt Hodkinson / Tylt:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthodkinson/

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