Smart Consulting Sourcing
Each week Hélène Laffitte, consulting sourcing expert and CEO of Consulting Quest, gives you the keys to better use, manage, and source consulting services.
Episodes

Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Beyond Go-Live: How to Optimize Your Digital Procurement Platform
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Go-live might feel like a win—but it’s not the endgame. In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte explains why launching your digital consulting procurement platform is just the beginning. True maturity comes from how you use the tool to evolve behaviors, refine processes, and drive better outcomes.
From training users effectively to adapting configurations and pushing for continuous improvement, Hélène reveals three powerful levers that help procurement leaders unlock real value post–go-live.
Tune in to learn how to turn your digital platform into a true driver of maturity.

Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Don’t Digitize Broken Processes: Start with a Procurement Maturity Assessment
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thinking about digitizing your consulting procurement process? Before you hit “deploy,” make sure you’ve got the right foundation in place. In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, explains why digital tools can’t fix broken processes and why starting with a Procurement Maturity Assessment is essential. You’ll learn how to diagnose your consulting procurement capability, avoid costly tech missteps, and build a transformation roadmap with clarity and confidence.
Tune in to discover how to set your digital journey up for real success!

Thursday Jun 26, 2025
How Digital Tools Are Revolutionizing Consulting Spend
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Can your consulting spend be smarter — just by using better tools? In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down how digital platforms are revolutionizing the way companies manage their consulting spend.
Discover what the latest tools can really do — and why strategy still comes first. Tune in now.

Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Smart Consulting Utilization: How to Do More with Less
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Thursday Jun 19, 2025
How do you get the most from your consulting budget without compromising impact? In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Laffitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, shares a pragmatic, no-fluff approach to consulting utilization. Discover how to prioritize projects, choose the right delivery model, and unlock new sourcing options that stretch your budget and accelerate transformation. Tune in now.

Thursday May 22, 2025
Spend Analysis Are You Asking the Right Questions?
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
Think spend analysis is just adding up invoices? Think again. In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down why real spend analysis is about insight; not just data. She shares five smart questions every procurement leader should ask to uncover inefficiencies, align suppliers with project needs, and boost the ROI of consulting spend.
If you want to stop reacting and start optimizing, this is your playbook. Tune in now and turn your consulting data into a strategic advantage!

Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Why Consulting Procurement Leaders Need to Brush Up their Change Management Skills?
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Change management might not be in your procurement job description, but it should be. In this Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing episode, Hélène Lafitte explains why procurement professionals play a critical role in setting consulting projects up for success. From spotting misalignment early to designing collaboration into the process, Hélène shows how procurement can act as a catalyst for change even before the consultants are hired.
Tune in to discover how change fluency can make you a smarter, more strategic sourcing leader. Don’t miss this one!

Thursday Apr 03, 2025
What to Look for in a Consulting Agreement – A Procurement Perspective
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
A consulting agreement might not be flashy — but it’s one of the most critical tools in your consulting procurement arsenal. In this episode of Quick Takes on Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down the seven must-have elements every procurement pro should scrutinize before signing a consulting contract. From scope clarity and payment terms to IP rights and termination clauses, she highlights how a well-crafted agreement sets the stage for project success — and protects your organization from costly surprises.
Don’t miss this power-packed episode because smarter contracts mean smarter sourcing. Tune in now!

Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Refining Make-or-Buy Strategies for Consulting Projects
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
In this thought-provoking episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Helene Lafitte unpacks a question that every organization faces but few answer strategically: should you handle a consulting project in-house or bring in external experts?
With humor, clarity, and a practical five-pillar framework, Helene guides you through the complexities of the make-or-buy decision—looking beyond cost to consider capability, strategic value, and long-term impact.
If you’re tired of defaulting to habit and ready to treat consulting as a true strategic lever, this episode is a must-listen. Don’t miss it—your next big project might just depend on it.

Thursday Mar 13, 2025
What Does It Take to Build High-Performing Internal Consulting Teams?
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Should you invest in an internal consulting team? In this episode of Quick Takes with Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, breaks down the strategic considerations behind this crucial decision. From analyzing consulting spend to defining a clear team mandate, she explains why internal consulting is about more than just cutting costs; it's about driving long-term efficiency, retaining knowledge, and optimizing ROI.
Discover when to build in-house expertise, when to rely on external consultants, and how to ensure your internal team aligns with broader business goals. Don’t miss this quick but insightful episode to smarter consulting decisions!

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Internal Consulting Groups: An Underrated Lever to Optimize Consulting Spend
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Companies spend billions on external consultants, but is there a better way? In this episode of Smart Consulting Sourcing, Hélène Lafitte, CEO of Consulting Quest, explores the growing trend of Internal Consulting Groups and how they can serve as a powerful strategic asset. Far from being just a cost-cutting measure, internal consulting helps organizations retain knowledge, develop future leaders, and optimize consulting spend without sacrificing expertise.
Discover how leading companies like Siemens and BASF have leveraged internal teams to drive transformation and why striking the right balance between internal and external consultants is key. Don’t miss this insightful episode—tune in now and rethink how your organization approaches consulting!

The only podcast about consulting procurement
The Smart Consulting Sourcing podcast provides a complete and detailed overview of everything to create value through consulting.