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Damien Duhamel on the Future of Management Consulting in Asia
When Damien Duhamel founded Solidiance more than a decade ago, his objective was clear: help global companies successfully grow and expand across Asia’s rapidly emerging economies. Today, the firm has delivered over 2,800 projects and operates across 15 offices throughout Asia, serving Fortune 500 corporations and major regional conglomerates.
From the beginning, Solidiance was designed differently. Rather than replicating traditional global consulting models, Damien built the firm around a single metric that truly matters — client repeat rate. The vision was never to become a smaller version of larger consulting players, but to create a firm deeply rooted in Asian market realities. This client-centric approach has resulted in one of the highest repeat engagement rates in the industry.
Having lived in Asia for more than 27 years, Damien has witnessed firsthand how rapidly the consulting industry is evolving. The services Solidiance offers today differ significantly from those delivered a decade ago. Digital transformation, data analytics, artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and emerging platforms are now reshaping how companies operate and how consulting firms create value.
According to Damien, digital disruption is not a future scenario — it is already transforming industries across Asia. However, digital innovation cannot follow a standardized model. Even within Southeast Asia, consumer behavior can differ dramatically across markets separated by only a few hundred kilometers. Companies must therefore adopt tailored digital strategies that reflect local nuances.
He also anticipates increased consolidation across the consulting sector, driven by technological shifts and integration pressures. The next global consulting giants may well be startups today — especially those operating in high-growth Asian markets.
Alongside digital acceleration, Asia is experiencing a renewed entrepreneurial momentum. Drawing from his own experience as a self-made entrepreneur, Damien emphasizes three core principles for founders: humility and resilience in the face of failure, the importance of mentorship, and building diverse teams with complementary strengths.
Looking ahead, Solidiance aims to double its size over the next five years. Beyond growth strategy advisory, the firm continues to expand its capabilities in B2B digital strategy — supporting clients from ideation to implementation across automotive, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and construction sectors.