Western European Demand for Business Consulting Services 2007-2012

Demand in Western Europe for business consulting services will weaken in 2008 and decline in absolute terms in 2009, as a result of a more difficult economic and financial environment in the region. IDC is forecasting a CAGR of 2% for the period between 2007 and 2012, mostly as a result of a forecast market decline in 2009, followed by a recovery in 2010-2012.

This IDC study gives decision makers information on:

• The size of the opportunity for providing business-consulting services in Western Europe in 2008?2012.
• IDC's predictions and assumptions relating to the business consulting services market in Western Europe between 2007 and 2012.
• Key recommendations for consultancies from IDC for defending their market share during what we expect to be difficult market conditions in 2009 and during the recovery in market demand that we expect in 2010?2012.

"Business consulting can create real value for enterprises and public bodies alike, but spend on business consulting is relatively sensitive to changes in economic and business confidence," said Douglas Hayward, research manager at IDC's European Software and Services team. "We therefore think that demand for business consulting services will dip in Western Europe 2009, but will recover from 2010 onwards. Consultancies should plan for this downturn, but must not over-react, because they need to be ready for the return of demand growth in 2010 and beyond."