Consulting Office Debate: How to Work Smarter, Not Just Show Up
Consultant’s Take on Working From the Office
Hi there,
The return-to-office debate is heating up. Around the world, companies are increasingly requiring employees to spend more time in the office—sometimes with strict mandates. But is this always the best approach, especially in consulting?
As consultants, we work in inherently flexible and client-driven environments. Some projects demand in-person collaboration, while others can be handled just as effectively—or even more so—remotely. Unlike traditional corporate roles, we don’t always have a fixed “home office.” Instead, we juggle between client sites, our firm’s office, and remote work. So, where should we be working?
The Role of the Office in Consulting
The office can certainly provide value:
Collaboration & learning: Junior consultants, in particular, benefit from being around experienced colleagues, picking up insights naturally through observation and informal discussions, and asking quick questions without needing to schedule a call.
Teamwork & workshops: Some tasks—like brainstorming sessions, whiteboarding exercises, and intensive problem-solving—are just more effective in person.
Networking & visibility: Being physically present makes it easier to build relationships, both internally and with clients. A casual coffee chat can lead to new opportunities.
Culture & connection: In-person interactions help strengthen team cohesion and company culture in a way that virtual meetings often can’t.
Access to resources: Not all work setups are equal. Some consultants lack an ideal home office or need access to secure environments, high-end equipment, or physical documents.
Why Remote Work Works (Especially for Consultants)
At the same time, rigid office mandates can be counterproductive, especially for consultants who:
Work with clients more than colleagues: If most of your interactions are with client stakeholders, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in your firm’s office or not.
Spend most of their time in Teams meetings anyway: If your daily work consists mostly of Teams calls with clients, being in the office doesn’t necessarily add much—other than free coffee and a chance to grab lunch with colleagues (if they’re not too busy). In fact, discussing client matters in an open office might be a worse option.
Need Deep Focus Time: Open office layouts aren’t always great for high-concentration work like documentation, architecture planning, or detailed analysis. This is especially true if you’re a single contributor working independently rather than collaborating actively with a team.
Have a mobile workstyle: Many consultants split their time between different client offices, making a fixed “HQ” presence less relevant.
Value work-life balance: Long commutes, rigid hours, and unnecessary face time don’t always add value. Productivity should matter more than simply being present.
The Smart Approach: Flexibility & Purposeful Presence
Rather than debating remote vs. office work in extremes, the best approach is a flexible, client- and role-driven balance. Smart firms and consultants recognize that:
Being in the office should serve a purpose: Whether for collaboration, networking, or team building.
Trust & outcomes matter more than location: Performance should be measured by results, not office attendance.
Client needs come first: Often, being on-site with a client or taking calls from a quiet location is more valuable than being in your firm’s office.
What’s My Take?
Personally, I value flexibility above all. Most of my clients prefer to work remotely, and we collaborate effectively without requiring physical presence. That said, I do go to the office occasionally for key meetings, networking, and catching up with colleagues. Some client meetings and workshops are also best handled face-to-face.
For example, last week, I spent time on-site with two different clients and visited the office twice. Other weeks, I work from my home office every single day. It all depends on what makes the most sense for that week’s workload, meetings, and tasks.
Ultimately, the question shouldn’t be “How many days should we mandate in the office?” but rather “Where can we work most effectively?” For consultants, the answer varies based on the engagement, the team, and the type of work at hand.
👉 What’s your take? Do you thrive in the office, or does remote work suit your consulting style better? Let’s discuss!
Best,
Eetu Niemi
IT Consulting Career Hub