Tariffs on Toilet Paper: Success Secrets of Consulting After Globalization

Clients are nervous. Policies keep shifting. Consultants get fired. Let’s talk about that.

How are high-performing consultants adapting right now?

What if chaos isn’t the problem but the perfect opening for boutique consultants to rise? What if this isn’t just disruption, but your AI Advantage?

Perhaps you already feel it: Tariffs. Global tension. Clients freeze. Budgets shrink. Risk tolerance evaporates. 

And in the background? AI reshapes every business function while most consultants still pitch “process maps.”

Maybe you're still hoping things "go back to normal."

Consider that this isn't temporary. It’s a global reset.

It's more than a stock market correction. And it's totally possible that the DOW and NASDAQ have gone up by the time you read this. Every day, there’s something else. Tariffs on toilet paper can be a real thing now.

It’s a system reset - triggered by nationalism, accelerated by AI, and sealed by collapsing global trust.

I am not an economist. I am not political. I just see what I see.

1.     The U.S. is shifting towards a focus on national economic interests. It’s moving away from globalist policies that have been in place for decades.

2.     Yes, the implementation has been messy AF.

3.     We witness the end of the globalization era that shaped the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

And that means, supply chain volatility, rising costs, rapid changes in ESG laws, data rules, and national security-related restrictions.

Offshoring is slowing. Hiring’s harder. Meanwhile, AI is already replacing back-office work, legal review, financial modeling, and more.

Consultants who master AI-Augmented Thinking will lead this shift.

Those who wait for “normal” to return will be replaced by consultants who show up with automation, AI intelligence, and a plan to future-proof operations now.

Clients are seeking clarity amidst chaos.

They need AI-assisted forecasting, sourcing algorithms, and intelligent scenario planning.

Show them how to simulate tariff impact in minutes. Guide them in building vendor scorecards using machine learning. Become the translator between traditional ops and AI-accelerated resilience.

Supply chain reengineering, cost simplification, and supply chain AI are keywords that catch attention.

Rebuilding supplier relationships, logistics networks, and risk management frameworks is a must. Clients seek better vendor evaluations and AI-enabled resilience modeling.

Others will want future-proof strategy through scenario planning, policy monitoring systems, and decision workflows.

This may include workforce transformation, including AI augmentation, upskilling, and process redesign.

This shift is the biggest opportunity boutique consultants have seen in 25 years...

…but only if we move now, while others pause.

Let’s unpack this.

Rising Costs and Uncertainty

We’ve been there before. Trump's 2018-2019 trade war led to higher prices on many products. Consumers paid the extra costs. As US firms faced rising input costs, inflation rose.

Take steel and aluminum tariffs, for example. They caused US metal prices to jump 5-10%. Companies paid more for materials. This made them cut profit margins and raise prices for customers, adding a burden of $1,300 per US household by 2025.

While domestic steel and aluminum production got a boost, manufacturing, construction, and transportation faced challenges. Rising input costs and supply chain issues forced delays and job cuts. Retaliatory tariffs from other countries made it harder for American exporters.

The trade war raised prices, lowered US output and jobs, and cut US GDP by 0.2%. Over 140,000 jobs were lost.

Opportunities

When costs rise, and export routes get complicated, company leadership usually panics. But smart ones bring in experts. These experts help clients redo supply chains, protect profits, and find hidden money.

Use AI to improve models, renegotiate contracts, or change market strategies. This is your chance to stand out. Chaos means new clients. How will you show up in a world where AI does in seconds what used to take your team a week?

This entire scenario is a perfect trigger for lead generation. Run polls. Write posts. Ask questions.

Offer AI-augmented pricing tools to simulate price elasticity and customer churn before raising rates. Help clients spot the pricing sweet spot using predictive analytics - not guesswork.

Reframe your offer: “We help growth-stage manufacturers dodge tariff damage." or "We design smart sourcing and cost-saving strategies that last, even if the rules change suddenly.”

Labor, Talent, and Innovation

Trump's immigration policies hurt the US talent pool, especially in skilled areas. H-1B visa denials rose from 6% to 24% between 2015 and 2018. Stricter work visa limits and fewer refugee admissions cut foreign talent. This labor shortage delays projects, drives up salaries, and squeezes budgets.

Projects stall when teams can't hire quickly, or at all. In fields like tech, engineering, compliance, and healthcare, salaries are rising fast. It's also harder to keep employees, as competitors quickly attract top talent with better offers.

When this happens, consulting budgets are often the first to go. In tough economic times, big companies deal with tighter budgets and lower revenue predictions. As a result, boutique consultancy owners face long sales cycles. They also deal with tough competition for fewer projects.

Clients want clear ROI and prefer to work with established partners. This makes it tough for smaller consultancies to secure contracts.

Opportunities

When hiring is tough, experts on short-term projects can help. Position yourself as a results-driven expert. You won’t need to add staff.

Offer quick wins like 30-day audits and one-day sprints. Provide performance-based pricing or show measurable results upfront. Help companies grow globally with your remote team skills. Rebrand as a trusted partner who delivers visible results, showcasing your past successes.

Harsh reality for HR consultants: No one wants your "culture workshops" and "talent strategy decks" now. But People Ops Engineers who know how to reduce onboarding time by 40% using AI catch the attention of decision-makers with budget authority. 

Map team inefficiencies using org design tools. Know the difference between a virtual assistant and a trained AI co-pilot.

The traditional HR consultant has been outdated for a while already. Now they are the Crypt Keepers of the consulting industry.

Instead, offer fulfillment, fast onboarding, and AI-driven organization design. Work with fractional COOs to solve organizational bottlenecks.

Rebrand or be replaced.

Rising Costs and Inflation

Inflation is a major concern. It's fueled by supply chain problems, stimulus efforts, conflict, and tariffs. A recent study showed that 88% of small business owners felt the effects in 2022, with input costs increasing by 20% or more.

To deal with this, 89% of small businesses increased their prices. However, this strategy can backfire if customers are also struggling with rising costs. Inflation also depletes cash reserves, making it essential to manage cash flow carefully.

Opportunities

Small and medium-sized businesses often struggle to manage their cash flow. They lose money without even noticing. Help them prepare for financial blindspots, cut financial losses, and build a solid safety net.

Expert consultants are more important than ever, especially those offering cash flow optimization, Profit First-style solutions, or dynamic financial planning. Help clients set up value-based pricing, offer tiered options, and use strategic pricing to justify every dollar spent.

Inflation can highlight operational weaknesses. To boost productivity without increasing staff numbers, simplify processes, automate tasks, and use AI.

Offer high-level services at a lower cost, with clear outcomes and a return on investment, for companies that need expert guidance.

Provide business owners with decision coaching and mindset support, helping them prioritize, focus, and make bold moves to drive growth.

Global Financial Instability

Global uncertainty, currency swings, and foreign financial troubles are putting pressure on businesses of all sizes. When the US dollar is strong, like it is now due to trade disputes and high US interest rates, it makes US services pricier abroad. This can push your clients’ products or services out of reach for international buyers, crippling sales and partnerships.

But on the flip side, overseas instability might create a need for expert advice on bringing supply chains back home and managing risks. Business leaders are being cautious and looking for trusted consultants to help navigate tough times.

However, if fear sets in, companies might put new projects on ice, slashing funds for client initiatives and slowing down the consultancy pipeline. This can lead to a focus on quick fixes.

Opportunities

Leadership teams are desperate for trusted advisors who can provide a steady hand, clear direction, and effective cost-cutting strategies. They're not looking for flashy ideas; they need guidance to navigate this treacherous landscape. Fear and panic can lead to frozen budgets, abandoned projects, and hasty, ill-conceived solutions that ultimately fail.

This is a make-or-break moment. Consultants who deliver ROI-driven, risk-reducing, and decisive solutions will be the ones clients turn to for survival.

Consultants who help businesses shift to domestic opportunities will thrive as the strong US dollar makes exports less competitive. They will advise on local sales strategies, streamline operations, and retool supply chains. This role is about guiding companies to safety in turbulent global waters.

Currency fluctuations bring confusion, and confusion needs clear thinking. Financial, trade, and operations consultants can help leaders map risk scenarios. They can also adjust contracts affected by exchange rates and protect against exposure in vulnerable markets.

Supply chain experts, international operations consultants, and strategic planners have a great chance to shine. Leaders are looking for help to reshore, nearshore, and build regional partnerships. If you can guide them through this change quickly and accurately, you'll become essential.

When fear takes hold and budgets shrink, successful consultants will offer practical, results-driven solutions. These solutions should protect cash flow, lower risk, and deliver quick wins without lengthy setups.

This moment favors consultants who solve real-world problems quickly, not those offering long plans when clients need fast results. If you are agile, measurable, and focused on risk, resilience, and ROI, you’re not just surviving this storm; you’re benefiting from it.

The AI-First Action Plan: Survive Less. Dominate More.

High-end consulting entrepreneurs must act quickly to stay competitive. Here’s what they need to do:

• AI-Augmented Operations: Use AI to automate 80% of backend tasks. This frees up time for high-value activities. Tools like ChatGPT, Zapier, and Notion help streamline workflows and boost efficiency. You can also assist your clients in automating their tasks. 
• Industry Intelligence Bots: Stay ahead with AI bots that track key market indicators. Monitor legislation, tariffs, and ESG shifts. Provide real-time alerts and auto-summaries for quick decisions to help clients adapt their strategy and stay competitive.
• Authority Positioning: Become the voice of “AI for Risk, Resilience & Revenue” in your niche. Create content such as blog posts, videos, or podcasts to share your insights and advice. As your reputation grows, others will seek your knowledge, opening new business opportunities.
• Smart Market Targeting with AI Signals: Use AI tools to scan industry trends, spot funding rounds, and detect client pain points at scale. Focus on industries where AI adoption is accelerating: Biotech, Healthcare, Cyber and compliance SaaS, Supply chain & logistics tech.
• AI-First Sales Messaging: Ditch vague “we help you grow” fluff. Position yourself as the AI-first guide who helps clients adapt, simplify, and survive the shift. Sell clarity, automation, and control - not deliverables. Analyze buyer language and generate custom outreach.
• Value Design with Predictive Pricing: Clients don’t want cheap. They want certain. Offer dynamic, AI-informed pricing models that shift based on impact and ROI. Deploy tiered offerings or “accelerator sprints” with performance guarantees powered by transparent data.
• Strategic AI Pivoting: Build offers around AI-enablement, not just advice. Train in tools your clients already use (like Salesforce, Power BI, or HubSpot) and show how to supercharge them with AI. Partner with AI developers, implementation firms, or SaaS vendors to add capability without adding headcount. 

By being strategic and efficient, consultants can thrive. They must grasp how tariffs and immigration affect the market and adjust operations to stay essential advisors.