- Consumer Products (CPG) – Clarkston works with fast-moving consumer goods companies to drive growth, optimize trade investments, and modernize go-to-market models.
- Life Sciences – They offer consulting for pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical devices, and contract organizations, supporting clients with strategic transformation, regulatory readiness, and data-driven innovation.
- Retail – With an omnichannel mindset, Clarkston helps retail companies align operations, analytics, and customer experiences for growth and efficiency.
Their cross-functional approach—bridging strategy, operations, and technology—gives clients a comprehensive solution set. (Clarkston Consulting)
Client Satisfaction & Reputation
One of Clarkston’s most standout metrics is its long-term client satisfaction rate—around 97%, according to their own data. (Clarkston Consulting) This reflects a genuine culture of partnership, not just short-term project work.
Clients praise Clarkston for its “brilliant client service”—consultants are not just execution-oriented but also deeply engaged, collaborative, and focused on long-term outcomes. (Clarkston Consulting) Their consultants often embed themselves into the client organization, helping to align strategy with execution in a way that feels tailored and sustainable.
Growth, Expansion & Global Reach
In 2024, Clarkston Consulting launched Clarkston Global, expanding its service-delivery capabilities with a new office in Pune, India. (PR Newswire) This move enables them to provide 24/7 support and access to offshore resources, which helps extend their operational capacity and scalability while maintaining the “high-touch” client experience.
This expansion signals not just growth, but a real commitment to delivering on global projects and servicing clients across different time zones.
Financial Strength & Operational Efficiency
While Clarkston doesn’t publicly disclose all financials, its successful expansion, long-standing client satisfaction, and consistent project delivery point to a robust business model.
According to Vault, Clarkston’s consultants highlight the firm’s sustainability: they call it a place where “long-term success” is built through expertise, client relationships, and solid delivery—not just overhead or volume.
Employee Experience & Culture
Based on employee reviews (e.g., Glassdoor), Clarkston scores around 4.0/5 for “stewards” (consultants), indicating a largely positive working environment. (Glassdoor)
Strengths:
- Strong mentorship and ownership: Several reviews mention that senior leadership is accessible, and employees are given real responsibility.
- Supportive teams + good benefits: Employees say there’s strong peer support, good benefits, and meaningful career development.
- Work-life considerations: While hours can be demanding—as in most consulting firms—Clarkston seems to make efforts to support wellbeing, including flexible travel and “anniversary awards.
Challenges:
- Work-life balance is cited by some as a struggle during peak project times.
- There’s a learning curve, and newer consultants may need to self-learn or lean on mentorship.
Differentiators: What Makes Clarkston Stand Out
FeatureWhy It Matters
97% Client Satisfaction
Indicates long-term trust and repeated partnerships.
Industry Focus
Deep expertise in CPG, life sciences, and retail gives Clarkston a clear niche.
Global Scale + Local Touch
With Clarkston Global, they balance 24/7 capacity with high-quality, client-centric service.
People + Steward Culture
Strong internal culture of ownership and mentorship.
Areas for Improvement / Considerations
- Brand recognition: Compared to very large consulting firms, Clarkston may not have the same global brand power.
- Balance vs. intensity: As with many consulting companies, the intensity of project work may impact work-life balance at times.
- Capacity management: As they scale globally, maintaining their “hands-on” client service and high satisfaction ratings could be a challenge—but their recent expansion suggests they are aware and prepared.
Final Recommendation
If you’re a CPG, life sciences, or retail company looking for a consulting partner that combines deep domain expertise, operational execution, and trusted long-term support, Clarkston Consulting is a standout. Their “stewardship” model ensures real ownership, and their global expansion shows they’re built to scale.
- For mid-to-large projects that require both strategy and implementation (e.g., RGM, trade optimization, digital transformation), Clarkston delivers real value.
- For organizations that need a trusted partner, not just a “body shop,” Clarkston’s approach suits well.
- If cultural fit, sustainability, and long-term relationship matter to you,
