What a Corporate Training Consultant Really Does (and When You Actually Need One)

What a Corporate Training Consultant Really Does and When You Actually Need One By Leigh Anne Lankford

If you search for a corporate training consultant, you’ll find a lot of pages that sound polished, confident, and… vague. Strategy. Alignment. Enablement. Transformation. All of these are important concepts. But if you’re a learning leader, HR partner, or business leader, you’re probably asking a more practical question:

What does a corporate training consultant actually do and how do I know if this is the right solution for my organization right now?

Let’s break it down in plain language.

What Is a Corporate Training Consultant?

A corporate training consultant is a learning professional who partners with organizations to solve business problems through training and performance consulting. That last part matters. This role isn’t about delivering content for content’s sake. A strong corporate training consultant starts by understanding:

  • What the business is trying to achieve
  • Where performance is breaking down
  • Whether training is the right solution or just one part of it

From there, they help design, build, and sometimes deliver learning solutions that actually support the business.

What Problems Do Corporate Training Consultants Solve?

Organizations typically engage a corporate training consultant when something important isn’t working or when something important is changing. Common triggers include:

  • A new system, process, or technology rollout
  • Rapid growth that outpaces internal L&D capacity
  • Inconsistent training across locations or teams
  • Compliance or regulatory pressure
  • Leadership capability gaps
  • Sales or customer service performance initiatives

In many cases, internal teams know what they want to train on but need help defining how to do it effectively, at scale, and without rework.

What do Corporate Training Consultants Actually Do?

While every engagement is different, most corporate training consultants spend their time across a few core areas.

1. Diagnose the Real Problem

Experienced consultants don’t start with course outlines. They ask questions:

  • What’s happening today?
  • What should be happening instead?
  • Who is impacted?
  • What would success look like six months from now?

This upfront work prevents misaligned solutions and expensive rework later.

2. Design Training That Fits the Organization

A corporate training consultant designs learning that works inside your reality, not an idealized one.

That includes factoring in:

  • Time constraints
  • Learner readiness
  • Manager support
  • Technology limitations
  • Organizational culture

Sometimes that means eLearning. Sometimes instructor-led. Often it’s blended learning.

3. Develop or Oversee Development

Depending on the engagement, a consultant may:

  • Build learning assets themselves
  • Lead a development team
  • Provide design standards and quality control

Their role is to ensure consistency, clarity, and effectiveness.

4. Support Implementation and Adoption

Training only works if people use it. Consultants often support:

  • Pilot programs
  • Facilitator enablement
  • Manager toolkits
  • Reinforcement strategies

This is where many internal programs struggle and where experienced consultants add real value.

When a Corporate Training Consultant Makes More Sense Than Hiring

Hiring full-time L&D talent is absolutely the right move in many situations. But there are times when a corporate training consultant is the smarter option.

For example:

  • You have a large, time-bound initiative
  • You need specialized expertise you don’t have internally
  • Your team is already at capacity
  • You need speed without hiring FTEs

Consultants bring focused experience, outside perspective, and the ability to ramp up quickly and then step away when the work is done.

What You Should Look for in a Corporate Training Consultant

Not all consultants are interchangeable. When evaluating options, look beyond titles and buzzwords. Strong corporate training consultants typically:

  • Have worked inside organizations as employees in the past
  • Ask thoughtful, sometimes uncomfortable questions
  • Push back when training isn’t the right solution
  • Understand adult learning and business constraints
  • Can translate between business language and learning design

Corporate training consultants act as partners.

How Corporate Training Consulting Works at TrainingPros

At TrainingPros, corporate training consulting looks a little different than the traditional model. Instead of selling a one-size-fits-all solution, we focus on connecting organizations with experienced corporate training consultants who fit the work that needs to be done.

That means:

  • Consultants with real-world corporate experience
  • Practitioners who have solved similar problems before
  • Clear role alignment from day one
  • Ongoing relationship management and support

Our consultants work across:

And because our relationship managers come from L&D backgrounds themselves, conversations stay grounded in learning realities.

The Business Impact of the Right Corporate Training Consultant

When the fit is right, organizations see tangible outcomes:

  • Faster time to competency
  • Reduced rework and redesign cycles
  • More consistent learner experiences
  • Stronger adoption of new processes or systems
  • Internal teams freed up to focus on strategic work

Most importantly, training starts supporting the business instead of chasing it.

Is a Corporate Training Consultant Right for You?

If you’re dealing with:

  • A high-visibility initiative
  • Limited internal capacity
  • Pressure to move quickly
  • Stakeholders with competing expectations

…a corporate training consultant can provide the structure, experience, and momentum needed to move forward with confidence. And if you’re not sure yet? A good consultant will help you figure that out before anything gets built.

Download Your Copy of 5 Questions Every Learning & Development Consultant Should Be Able to Answer

Ready to Work with Us?

Does your L&D team have more projects than people? TrainingPros has been named a Top 20 Staffing Company internationally by Training Industry and recognized as a Smartchoice® Preferred Provider by Brandon Hall Group for 2025. We’re also proud to be named a Champion of Learning by the Association for Talent Development (ATD)—an international honor that reflects our dedication to excellence in corporate learning. These accolades underscore TrainingPros’ unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, tailored training solutions.

If your sales enablement projects need instructional designersvirtual classroom producersfacilitators, or other L&D consultants for your  leadership development design projects, reach out to one of our industry-expert relationship managers today.

When you have more projects than people™, let TrainingPros find the right consultant to start your project with confidence. Schedule a consultation today.

Picture of Leighanne Lankford

Leighanne Lankford

With more than 30 years of experience in Learning and Development, I bring a wealth of expertise to every project. My career has spanned roles from instructional designer to learning leader, equipping me with a deep understanding of the industry. Holding an MS in Human Resource Development, I’ve been recognized with multiple industry awards for my contributions as a practitioner. Under my leadership, my company has won dozens of L&D industry awards, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Since 2007, I’ve been passionate about connecting consultants with impactful projects at TrainingPros, ensuring both clients and consultants thrive. Connect with me to explore insights that elevate your L&D strategies.
TrainingPros Blog Rings Logo Icon | When You Have More Projects Than People...

You Might Also Like

Search

Follow Us

12.8kFollowers
865Followers
357Fans
1.3kSubscribers
76Followers
15.3kTotal fans
With more than 30 years of experience in Learning and Development, I bring a wealth of expertise to every project. My career has spanned roles from instructional designer to learning leader, equipping me with a deep understanding of the industry. Holding an MS in Human Resource Development, I’ve been recognized with multiple industry awards for my contributions as a practitioner. Under my leadership, my company has won dozens of L&D industry awards, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Since 2007, I’ve been passionate about connecting consultants with impactful projects at TrainingPros, ensuring both clients and consultants thrive. Connect with me to explore insights that elevate your L&D strategies.

Recent Posts