The rise of ‘value creation plans’ in strategy consulting: Trend or Transformation?’ 

Over the past few years, VCPs have emerged as a structured offering within consulting engagements. According to Nicolas Cohen-Solal, ‘the rise of VCPs is not a trend, but a consequence of the economic challenges the world has faced in recent years‘. 

Pandemics, geopolitical and economic instability, and the sudden emergence of artificial intelligence… .’These developments have significantly disrupted business activity in the short term, compelling companies to become more agile and responsive, even as industry remains governed by long cycles..’ 

‘In response to these pressures, many companies need to revisit their strategic roadmap, whether regarding their business portfolio, distribution channels, operational efficiency, cost and footprint optimisation, productivity improvement or support functions.’ All of these topics can be addressed within a VCP. 

‘The goal is to adapt to ongoing changes, take a step back to analyse future developments and identify strategic initiatives that can be quantified.’ 

Unlike approaches focused solely on cost reduction, VCPs aim for holistic transformation. ‘It’s about working across the entire value chain to enhance short-term performance while aligning with a long-term vision,’ explains Nicolas Cohen-Solal. 

This multidisciplinary and tailored approach draws on deep sectoral and functional expertise, and is developed in close collaboration with company leadership. 

VCPs are frequently recommended by private equity funds for their portfolio companies, particularly at the start of an investment. These plans help define and align a strategic roadmap with the management team. Beyond the initial phase, VCPs can also be initiated in a variety of contexts—such as responding to market shifts, entering a new segment, or reassuring financial partners during challenging periods. In these cases, the PCV becomes a powerful strategic steering tool, serving both resilience and growth.

Read the full article (in French) by Bertrand Sérieyx, published in Consultor on 27 August 2025.