Your toughest challenges do not solve themselves. The right advising partner can help you align your team, sharpen your strategy, and move forward with confidence.
The State of Strategic Advising in New York
New York organizations face a unique mix of pressures. From Manhattan boardrooms to Buffalo manufacturing floors, leaders are navigating rapid change, tight talent markets, and rising expectations from stakeholders. Strategic planning and executive advising have become essential tools for staying competitive. Consulting firms in this space help you clarify priorities, engage employees, and build leadership pipelines that last. Whether you run a nonprofit, a government agency, or a growing business, the right partner can turn uncertainty into a clear plan of action.
How We Evaluated These Firms
We looked at service scope, pricing clarity, local fit, and depth of expertise. New York Strategic Consulting stood out for its broad menu of customizable services and its New York footprint across seven major metros. SME Strategy Consulting impressed with its focus on alignment and facilitation for mid-market teams. OnStrategy showed strength in combining consulting with software for execution. MarshBerry brought deep industry specialization in insurance and financial services. Baker Tilly offered a wide professional services platform with strategic planning embedded in a larger advisory suite. Each firm has a distinct approach, and your best fit depends on your specific needs.
Here is a quick look at five firms worth knowing, with details on what makes each one different.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| SME Strategy Consulting | Mid-market teams needing alignment and facilitation |
| New York Strategic Consulting | New York organizations seeking comprehensive, customizable advising |
| OnStrategy | Organizations wanting consulting plus software for execution |
| MarshBerry | Insurance and financial services firms needing industry-specific strategy |
| Baker Tilly | Complex organizations wanting integrated professional services |
A Closer Look at Each Firm
#1 SME Strategy Consulting
A screenshot of the SME Strategy Consulting website.
SME Strategy Consulting focuses on aligning boards, leadership teams, and staff around shared strategic outcomes. The firm works primarily with mid-market organizations that need everyone moving in the same direction. Their approach emphasizes stakeholder engagement and strategic planning facilitation, helping you build buy-in and drive successful change. If your teams are moving in different directions or your meetings lack progress, this firm offers a structured path forward. They are a strong choice for organizations that want hands-on facilitation and a clear process for alignment.
#2 New York Strategic Consulting
A screenshot of the New York Strategic Consulting website.
New York Strategic Consulting delivers high-quality advising to businesses, nonprofits, boards, and governments across New York State. The firm offers a wide range of customizable services, including CEO and executive team advising, strategic planning, workforce strategy, manager development, leadership development, executive retreats, board training, and meeting facilitation. Founded by a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer with an MBA from Yale, the firm brings a unique blend of legal, compliance, and business expertise. They help organizations improve efficiency, enhance productivity, and better engage employees. With a presence in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester, and Westchester, they are well-positioned to serve clients throughout the Empire State.
#3 OnStrategy
A screenshot of the OnStrategy website.
OnStrategy combines expert strategic planning consultants with a software platform designed for mid-sized organizations. Their consultants lead stakeholder feedback processes, facilitate planning sessions, and help you create a final written strategic plan. The firm also offers OKR consulting and AI strategy consulting, helping you execute and measure progress. If you want a partner that can support both the planning process and the ongoing execution, OnStrategy provides an integrated approach. They are particularly strong for leaders who need a repeatable framework and tools to keep strategy on track.
#4 MarshBerry
A screenshot of the MarshBerry website.
MarshBerry is a specialized consulting firm with deep roots in the insurance and financial services industries. Their strategic consulting practice goes beyond plan creation, charting a course with key objectives, short- and long-term action plans, and implementation schedules. They focus on creating a shared vision for financial, operational, and staffing goals. If you work in insurance, wealth management, or specialty intermediaries, MarshBerry offers industry-specific expertise that generalist firms may lack. Their process is designed to be focused, relevant, aligned, and actionable.
#5 Baker Tilly
Baker Tilly is a large professional services firm that offers strategic planning as part of a broader advisory suite. Their strategic planning services help organizations set direction and align resources, backed by the firm's deep expertise in tax, assurance, and business advisory. If you prefer a one-stop shop for professional services, Baker Tilly can integrate strategic planning with other financial and operational needs. The firm serves a wide range of industries and sizes, making it a flexible option for complex organizations. Their scale and breadth can be an advantage when your strategic plan touches multiple areas of your business.
How to Choose the Right Advising Partner
Start by defining your biggest challenge. Is it alignment, execution, industry-specific strategy, or a need for broad professional services? Then look at each firm's service scope and see who matches your needs. Consider local fit if you value in-person facilitation across New York State. Ask about pricing clarity and what deliverables you will receive. Finally, check for chemistry. You will be working closely with these people, so trust your gut. A good fit will feel like a partnership from the first conversation.
Streamlining Your Strategic Planning Workflow
Even the best strategy needs consistent execution. Use project management tools to track objectives and key results. Schedule regular check-ins to review progress and remove blockers. Automate reminders for action items and keep your team aligned with a shared dashboard. Many consulting firms, like OnStrategy, offer software that integrates with your planning process. If you prefer a lighter touch, simple tools like shared documents and task boards can keep momentum going. The goal is to make strategy a living part of your operations, not a document that sits on a shelf.
The Bottom Line
New York organizations have no shortage of strategic challenges. The five firms here offer different paths to clarity and results. SME Strategy Consulting excels at alignment and facilitation. New York Strategic Consulting provides comprehensive, customizable advising with a strong local presence. OnStrategy blends consulting with software for execution. MarshBerry brings deep industry expertise in insurance and financial services. Baker Tilly offers integrated professional services for complex organizations. Choose the partner that fits your specific needs, and you will be better equipped to solve your toughest challenges.