Advanced Consulting Skills with AI
 Solve Complex Business Problems. Deliver Better Results.
Peak Problem Solving with AI
Give your professional services firm the power of McKinsey-style structured problem solving combined with advanced AI research, analysis, critical thinking, and executive communication.
In this eight-week, hands-on workshop, professional teams diagnose complex business problems, investigate root causes, test competing hypotheses, evaluate alternatives, and deliver defensible executive recommendations and presentations.
Work through a realistic client-retention or new-client-acquisition case. Build reusable AI-assisted consulting systems that strengthen professional judgment, improve deliverable quality, and support measurable performance improvements. Individual professionals can also enroll.
You are not just learning prompts.
You are building business systems that are reusable and scalable.
You are not just watching lessons.
You are implementing real-work AI systems and building your professional business.
Quick Answer
What Is the CTS Advanced Consulting Skills with AI Workshop?
An eight-week, instructor-led, case-based workshop for professional-services firms and consulting teams, combining structured consulting methods with AI-augmented research, analysis, problem solving, and executive communication. Individual professionals may also participate.
Participants choose a realistic client-retention or new-client-acquisition case. They use evidence, MECE problem structures, issue trees, analytical frameworks, and critical evaluation to develop recommendations they can explain and defend.
The workshop includes weekly live instruction, applied assignments, feedback, and a reusable library of AI prompts, agents, templates, and professional workflows.
Go Beyond AI Productivity.
Build Advanced Consulting and Problem-Solving Skills.
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TL;DR
Take Aways
- Define complex business problems using structured, hypothesis-driven methods.
- Conduct advanced Deep Research, validate sources, and distinguish facts from interpretations.
- Use MECE, issue trees, root-cause analysis, SWOT, and other appropriate analytical frameworks.
- Develop and test competing explanations instead of accepting the first plausible answer.
- Challenge AI findings through Red Team/Blue Team critique and evidence verification.
- Compare solutions using decision criteria, risks, costs, constraints, and trade-offs.
- Prepare persuasive executive-ready reports and presentations.
- Build reusable AI-assisted consulting workflows and a professional resource library.
What You Build Each Week
Each week adds a capability to your team’s consulting workflow, from problem definition through executive recommendations. Choose one of two cases and develop a complete analysis over eight weeks.
Pre-Work
Prepare your AI workspace, review case materials, and establish research, evidence, and professional judgment standards.
Week 1 — AI-Augmented Thinking and Problem Framing
Define the business problem, challenge assumptions, distinguish symptoms from causes, and verify baseline measurements.
Week 2 — Advanced Deep Research
Investigate industry conditions, competitors, buyers, and business drivers. Validate sources and identify evidence gaps.
Week 3 — Structured Problems and Hypotheses
Build MECE issue trees, develop competing explanations, and identify discriminating evidence.
Week 4 — Consulting Analytical Frameworks
Apply root-cause analysis, SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, and other frameworks where appropriate.
Week 5 — Critical Evaluation and Verification
Use Red Team/Blue Team challenges, alternative perspectives, and evidence checks to revise conclusions.
Week 6 — Decision-Making and Trade-Offs
Compare solutions against decision criteria, constraints, risks, and stakeholder needs.
Week 7 — Executive Reporting and Communication
Develop answer-first executive reports and presentations using suitable formats and AI-assisted production.
Week 8 — Integration and Demonstration
Complete the case, defend recommendations, and assemble a reusable professional AI workflow.
Stop Using AI Only for Answers.
Start Using It for Advanced Professional Thinking.
Equip your team with stronger research, deeper analysis, defensible recommendations, and reusable consulting systems through guided case-based practice.
All members get an AI Playbook for this workshop and the AI Library that includes all prompts, agents, videos, and guides for the workshop.
This special pricing is for the Founder's Release only.
 FOUNDER'S COHORTÂ
I Want an AI Advantage!Why This Matters
Why Structured Problem Solving and AI Are Critical to Professional Performance
AI can rapidly generate research, analyses, and recommendations. But speed does not guarantee that a problem is correctly defined, evidence is reliable, or a solution is sound. Combining AI with disciplined consulting methods and professional judgment enables firms to examine more alternatives, challenge assumptions, and improve recommendation quality.
- Ask sharper questions and define the real problem.
- Structure complex issues into manageable analytical components.
- Validate AI research and challenge unsupported conclusions.
- Compare alternatives using explicit decision criteria.
- Communicate findings that executives can understand and act upon.
A Repeatable Method for Professional Problem Solving
Define the problem, develop hypotheses, gather evidence, apply analytical frameworks, challenge findings, compare alternatives, exercise professional judgment, and communicate recommendations.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is for independent professionals and professional-service firms that want to build stronger, more efficient and effective businesses.
It is especially useful for:
- Independent consultants
- Business advisors
- Marketing consultants
- Professional coaches
- Accountants and advisory professionals
- Financial professionals
- Engineering and technical service professionals
- Architects and design professionals
- HR and organizational development consultants
- Legal and compliance professionals
- Boutique professional service firms
- Individuals or teams in small firms with 2 to 25 professionals
- Individuals or teams in mid-size firms that want to improve AI adoption and productivity
What do you need to start the workshop? You’ll need basic AI prompting skills are helpful, but advanced AI expertise is not required.
All you need to start is basic prompting skills. The advanced methods we’ll use will be in the workshop.
The workshop includes practical prompt engineering, workflow design, human-in-the-loop review checks, data checks, and implementation guidance.
Who This Workshop Is Not For
This is not a general introduction to AI or a shortcut to faster content generation. Participants should be ready to examine evidence, challenge assumptions, complete assignments, and defend recommendations.
Why AI Workshops vs. AI Trainings?
Traditional AI training teaches tools and concepts. CTS workshops combine instruction with professional work: teams investigate business problems, test hypotheses, challenge AI findings, and develop reusable consulting workflows. Participants leave with completed deliverables and applied methods—not just course notes.
The goal is not to make you an AI expert.
The goal is to help you become a more effective,
profitable professional.
Stop Experimenting with AI
Build Professional SuccessÂ
 Most consultants and professionals are experimenting with AI. Few are turning it into a repeatable competitive advantage.
 This special pricing is for the Founder's Release only.
 FOUNDER'S COHORTÂ
Build My AI Advantage!What Is in the Eight-Week Workshop
Weekly 90-minute live online sessions, instructor demonstrations, guided practice, feedback, and one to two hours of independent case work. Assignments begin with working prompts and AI systems that participants strengthen and adapt.
Pre-Work - Prepare Your AI Consulting Workspace
Set up AI tools, context files, case information, and evidence standards.
Business Value: Begin with a structured workspace and clear business challenge.
Module 1 - AI-Augmented Thinking and Problem Framing
Separate symptoms from causes, verify baselines, challenge assumptions, and draft a clear problem statement.
Business Value: Reduce the risk of solving the wrong problem.
Module 2 - Advanced Deep Research and Evidence Validation
Design investigations; validate sources and citations; reconcile conflicting findings; document uncertainty.
Business Value: Build a trustworthy research foundation.
Module 3 - MECE Problem Structures, Issue Trees, and Hypotheses
Build issue trees, develop competing explanations, and define discriminating evidence tests.
Business Value: Investigate complex problems systematically.
Module 4 - AI-Assisted Consulting and Analytical Frameworks
Use root-cause analysis, SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, and other suitable frameworks while retaining professional judgment.
Business Value: Improve the relevance and rigor of analysis.
Module 5 - Critical Evaluation, Verification, and Red Team/Blue Team
Challenge conclusions, test alternatives, examine weak assumptions, and revise findings.
Business Value: Reduce analytical errors and improve credibility.
Module 6 - Executive Decision-Making and Trade-Offs
Compare alternatives using decision criteria, risks, resource needs, constraints, and stakeholder considerations.
Business Value: Support informed executive decisions.
Module 7 - Executive Reports and Persuasive Presentations
Create concise answer-first reports, briefings, presentations, and scripts with ChatGPT, Claude, or Gamma.
Business Value: Communicate recommendations clearly.
Module 8 - Integration, Demonstration, and Reusable AI Systems
Complete and defend the case analysis; organize prompts, agents, templates, and workflows for reuse.
Business Value: Extend skills and assets beyond the workshop.
Two Realistic Consulting Case Options
This is an applied workshop, not a lecture about AI features or prompt engineering. Participants investigate incomplete and sometimes contradictory case evidence, examine flawed AI responses, challenge each other’s interpretations, and improve their analyses through discussion and instructor feedback.
Each participant or their cohort chooses from one of two cases.
Case 1 - Client Retention: Why Are We Losing Clients?
A professional-services firm’s annual client retention has fallen from 85% to 70%. The managing partner proposes a 10% fee reduction; other partners suspect other causes: responsiveness, relationship retention, quality of deliverables, or changing expectations. Investigate competing explanations, identify what the evidence supports, and recommend a defensible response.
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Case 2 - New Client Acquisition: Why Aren’t We Winning More Clients?
Qualified opportunities remain relatively stable, but proposal win rate has fallen from 35% to 22% and proposal preparation time has increased. Partners cite pricing, marketing cites positioning, and business development questions prospect targeting. Examine the buyer’s journey and recommend an evidence-based response.
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Outperform with AI Systems for
Consultants and ProfessionalsÂ
Only 5% of AI systems drive strategic success. (McKinsey & MIT)
 This special pricing is for the Founder's Release only.
 FOUNDER'S COHORTÂ
Outperform with AI SystemsWhat You Leave With
Your team completes a realistic consulting case and gains reusable analytical methods and AI systems for future assignments.
- Structured problem statements and MECE issue trees
- Validated research findings and source/evidence records
- Competing hypotheses and evidence-testing methods
- Root-cause and other consulting-framework analyses
- Â Decision comparisons with risks and trade-offs
- Red Team/Blue Team critiques and verification checklists
- An executive-ready report or presentation
- Reusable AI-assisted research, analysis, and reporting workflows
- A library of prompts, agents, templates, examples, and supporting files
Your Step-by-Step Playbook for AI Success
Throughout your workshop, your AI for Peak Professional Performance Playbook will guide you through every stage and share tips, tricks, and pitfalls to avoid. Avoid wasted effort, keep AI systems aligned with key success metrics, and repeat the process as you build future AI workflows - move faster, stay aligned, and increase ROI as you build.
Your Proven, Ready-to-Use AI Library
Start with proven AI building blocks—and stop wasting valuable time developing systems from scratch. Workshop members receive a library of robust AI prompts and agents in addition to prompts and agents in the workshop. These are ready to use or tailor to for your business.Â
CTS Has Expertise You Can Depend On
CTS workshops are built around real-world problems and solutions faced by professionals, consultants, and advisors.
Critical to Success has more than 30 years of consulting and training experience with Fortune 1000/Global 1000 firms in strategic performance improvement, digital marketing, and professional education. Ron has written 27 books published by J Wiley and Macmillan with four best sellers and more than one million copies sold. Ron has an MS in Physics, MBA in Marketing/Finance and certifications as a Six Sigma Black Belt and Balanced Scorecard consultant.
Guarantee
Complete the Business Builder projects in the workshop and apply the systems.
If you do not generate at least your course investment in additional new revenue, CTS will work with you until you do.
The guarantee is based on AI implementation best practices. You must complete the Business Builder projects and use the systems in your professional business.
The goal is not passive education.
The goal is improving your professional business.
Tailored Workshops for Your Firm
Tailored AI Workshops for Advanced Consulting SkillsÂ
Workshops can be tailored for consulting firms, advisory practices, and professional-service organizations seeking consistent analytical methods and stronger AI-assisted problem solving.
Two Ways to Tailor Your Workshop
Option 1 — Tailor the standard workshop using one of the established cases and examples adapted to your firm’s industry and business environment.
Option 2 — Develop a custom workshop with confidential firm-specific business challenges and supporting evidence, subject to agreed safeguards.
Private delivery, customization, and specialized case development may involve additional fees.
