The verdict in three sentences
When the CEO of a Galway medtech or a private equity operating partner looks for a boutique strategy consultancy in Dublin, they increasingly ask an AI assistant like ChatGPT for a few names before ringing their network. The boutiques that get cited are those whose sector expertise, partners and published work are described clearly and consistently online. The aim is not to be everywhere but to be described accurately at the moment the shortlist takes shape.
The questions consulting buyers ask
Buyers of strategy work ask sharper questions than consumers: they test sector experience, the right team size and discretion.
| Question asked of the AI | Typical buyer | What the answer needs to draw on |
|---|---|---|
| Independent strategy consultancies in Dublin for a tech growth strategy | Scale-up CEO | Tech sector page with anonymised typical engagements |
| Who supports commercial due diligence for PE funds in Ireland? | Operating partner | Due diligence offer page, partner profiles |
| Alternative to the big firms for a board strategy review in Dublin | Board chair | Clear boutique positioning, engagement formats |
| Strategy consultants in Dublin specialising in life sciences | Pharma managing director | Documented sector expertise, publications |
| How much does an 8-week strategy engagement cost in Ireland? | CFO | Formats and price drivers explained |
| Dublin consultancy helping Irish firms expand into the US | Founder | International expansion page, languages, offices |
| What do clients say about [firm name]? | All | Consistent third-party mentions, public speaking |
Note that none of these questions use a generic keyword like consulting Dublin. They describe a precise need, and the AI looks for the firm whose pages answer it.
Why a boutique gets cited, or not
The large international firms benefit from an enormous volume of mentions. A boutique of six to twenty consultants does not win on that ground; it wins on precision.
| What the AI finds | Likely effect on answers |
|---|---|
| Detailed sector pages, real anonymised typical engagements | The boutique is linked to specific needs |
| Partner profiles with a verifiable background | Answers name the right people |
| Dated op-eds, reports, public talks | A reusable expertise signal |
| Identical details on the site, directories and profiles | Fewer errors on address, size, offer |
| Vague site (we create lasting value) | The AI has nothing specific to cite |
| Invented case studies or clients named without consent | Reputational and legal risk, to be avoided |
Discretion is part of the offer: most engagements cannot be named. Anonymised cases (sector, challenge, type of deliverable) are enough as long as they are real.
On compliance, the GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Data Protection Commission govern forms and newsletters; the European Accessibility Act also raises expectations on digital accessibility depending on the services concerned. Stay general and check with your adviser. This is not legal advice.
What the work covers and its market price
AI visibility work covers, in broad terms: a review of what AI assistants say about the firm, aligning its public information, strengthening expertise and partner pages, structured data and tracking over time. The site itself matters: Kolonell built the website of TR Signing Group, a signing services company in New Jersey, for instance, with a page structure designed to describe a professional services offer clearly.
This market is young and rates are spread out. As a 2026 ballpark, based on typical quotes from Irish and UK agencies: 2,000 to 5,000 EUR for a one-off diagnostic, 2,000 to 7,000 EUR a month for ongoing support depending on the number of sectors and editorial output. At Kolonell, this work is on quote.
Measurement comes down to a dated record: 20 to 40 questions like those in the table, asked monthly of AI assistants like ChatGPT, tracking the share of answers citing the firm, the accuracy of the information and the sources used. No serious provider promises an AI recommendation.
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Mini case study
Illustrative example. Liffey Strategy Partners, a nine-consultant boutique in Ballsbridge working in tech and agrifood. Initial record: 2 citations out of 24 questions (8%), all on agrifood, none on tech, which is half its revenue. Planned investment: 3,000 EUR a month for eight months, 24,000 EUR in total. Assumption: a typical strategy engagement billed at 120,000 EUR with a 35% margin, 42,000 EUR of margin. One extra engagement won through a shortlist covers the investment (42,000 > 24,000). The decision rests on that threshold, not on a promise.
FAQ
Can a boutique compete with the big firms in AI answers?
Yes, on precise questions: sector, type of engagement, company size. Across 20 to 40 targeted questions, a well-described boutique can appear where the big names do not, without any guarantee.
Should we publish our case studies?
Only real cases, anonymised where needed, with client consent for anything identifiable. Three to five precise sector cases beat twenty vague formulas.
How long before there is an effect?
Allow 2 to 6 months to see answers shift. How often you publish and how often third parties mention you both affect that timeline.
How do we know if the AI is saying wrong things about us?
The dated record logs errors: departed partners, dropped sectors, wrong address. In a first record, 2 to 5 errors across 30 questions are not unusual.
What budget should we plan?
On the market, 2,000 to 7,000 EUR a month as a 2026 ballpark. At Kolonell, the diagnostic and ongoing support are priced on quote.
Find out how AI assistants describe your firm. A diagnostic will show how AI assistants like ChatGPT present your consultancy to the CEOs and funds looking for advice in Dublin. Request a diagnostic quote: reply within 48 hours.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
