The consulting industry as a whole has grown over the past decade due to the dynamic environment in which organizations of the 1990s have to operate. Many organizations (public and private) turn to consultants for advice on the internal and external changes they face, such as organizational downsizing, systems delivery, human resource issues, strategic planning, marketing management and financial issues. In fact, growth in the consulting sector prompted several of the large, well-known national and international accounting firms such as Coopers & Lybrand and Deloitte & Touche to develop management consulting units of their own.

Information systems consulting in particular appears to offer significant growth opportunities according to the 1993/94 Software Development and Computer Services Industry annual catalogue published by Statistics Canada. It stated the software development and computer services industry " . . . had reached $8.2 billion, making it one of the largest industries providing services to business."

Between 1987 and 1993, the professional services sector of the computer services industry sustained a significant increase in revenue share. Professional services, such as information systems consulting, rose to 39.0% of total industry revenue making it a $3.2 billion market in Canada. Of the $3.2 billion national market, 8.8% of it was generated by British Columbia based firms resulting in a $281 million professional services market in 1993-94. In absolute dollars, BC was third only to Ontario and Quebec, Provinces that achieved $1,881 million and $741 million in revenues respectively.

In Canada, professional services nationally accounted for 39% of industry revenue, for British Columbia based firms it accounted for significantly less than this, at only 27%. In fact, BC has the second-lowest revenue share for the professional services segment, with only the Atlantic provinces achieving a lower share at 18.7%.

Professional Services in British Columbia

Among British Columbia-based firms the custom software development sector was the single largest sector of the industry, grossing approximately $118.7 million in revenue during 1993/94, while the professional services sector was the second largest, achieving $71.9 million in revenue. The systems and technical consulting sector ($21.9 million) and corporate electronic data processing (EDP) consulting sector ($17.7 million) combined represented a $39.6 million market.

There are three cornerstones which Anthony Robert Consulting has relied on to become an emerging leader within the professional services sector of the British Columbia computer services industry.

1. Clients: Having access to a well-established and reliable client base.
2. Reputation: Having a good reputation in the industry.
3. Skills: Having qualified consultants who are professional, competent and have good interpersonal and communication skills.