Enterprise vs SMB AI Consulting: What's Right for Your Business?
Enterprise consulting firms dominate the AI market, but their model isn't designed for smaller companies. Here's how enterprise and SMB-focused AI consulting differ — and which approach delivers better ROI for growing businesses.
Understanding Both Approaches
Designed for 20-500 employee companies
Best For:
Growing businesses wanting practical AI without enterprise overhead
Built for Fortune 500 transformation
Best For:
Large enterprises needing multi-year, multi-country AI programs
Key Differences at a Glance
| Factor | SMB-Focused AI Consulting | Enterprise AI Consulting |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Budget | $10K-$20K to start | $200K+ minimum engagement |
| Time to First Results | 2-8 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Hands-on Implementation | Consultants build alongside your team | Strategy + oversight, separate implementers |
| Global Scale | Regional focus | Multi-country, multi-team programs |
| Government Funding Access | Deep funding expertise | Not a focus area |
| Brand Credibility for Boards | Growing reputation | Globally recognized brands |
When Each Approach Makes Sense
- Your company has 20-500 employees
- Your AI budget is under $200K
- You want fast results (weeks, not months)
- You prefer hands-on support over strategy decks
- You're a first-time AI adopter
- Your company has 1000+ employees
- You have $200K+ for AI transformation
- You need multi-country AI rollout
- Your board requires a recognized consulting brand
- You're planning a multi-year transformation program
Approach Comparison
Enterprise and SMB consulting firms differ fundamentally in their delivery model, not just pricing.
| Factor | SMB-Focused AI Consulting | Enterprise AI Consulting |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Project Duration | 4-12 weeks | 3-12 months |
| Team Size on Project | 2-4 people | 5-20+ people |
| Deliverable Focus | Working AI + trained team | Strategy docs + roadmap |
| Pricing Transparency | ||
| Government Funding Expertise | ||
| Post-project Support | Ongoing mentoring available | Separate engagement |
Choose SMB-Focused AI Consulting When...
- You're a growing business with under 500 employees
- Speed matters — you want results in weeks, not months
- You want your team trained, not just handed a strategy doc
- Government funding could offset 70-90% of training costs
- You prefer transparent pricing over custom enterprise quotes
Choose Enterprise AI Consulting When...
- Your company has 1000+ employees across multiple countries
- You need a consulting brand that your board recognizes
- You're planning a multi-year, multi-department AI transformation
- Your AI budget exceeds $200K and you need comprehensive programs
- You need integration with existing enterprise systems globally
How Pertama Can Help
Whichever approach you choose, Pertama Partners can support your AI journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but usually. Enterprise firms are designed for scale — large teams, global delivery, comprehensive methodology. SMBs typically need focused, practical support. Paying for enterprise infrastructure you won't use wastes budget better spent on actual AI implementation.
When you're approaching enterprise scale yourself — typically 1000+ employees, $200K+ consulting budget, and multi-country operations. Or when board/investor credibility requires a recognized consulting brand.
Yes. SMB-focused AI firms often deliver more complex, hands-on implementation than enterprise consultants who focus on strategy. The difference is scale (SMB firms work best with individual teams or departments) rather than sophistication.