In this episode of The Flex Work Podcast, host Ankur Garg sits down with Nita Sanger, founder of Idea Innovate Consulting and a seasoned transformation strategist who helps professional services firms evolve for the future. After more than a decade at Deloitte and leadership roles at Wolters Kluwer and Cherry Bekaert, Nita launched her own consulting practice in 2017. Today, she specializes in guiding firms through digital disruption, change management, and private equity-backed growth.Nita shares how industries like accounting, audit, tax, legal, and financial services—long rooted in tradition—are facing unprecedented transformation. With automation and AI reshaping core services, firms must shift from compliance-driven tasks to delivering actionable insights that help clients run their businesses more effectively.Highlights from the conversation include:Why automation is commoditizing audit and tax services—and where firms can still create valueHow private equity is accelerating change across professional and legal servicesThe role of people and culture in transformation, not just technologyRethinking outdated pricing models to embrace value-based approachesThe growing importance of empathy, communication, and advisory skills for accountants and lawyersNita emphasizes that technology is only an enabler—the real differentiator lies in people. Successful firms will be those that retrain staff, build trust with clients, and embrace change rather than fear it. She explains how resistance to change often masks deeper fears, such as job loss, and why leaders must bring employees into the transformation journey rather than leaving them behind.The discussion also explores leadership challenges. Nita notes that innovative CEOs are willing to disrupt their own business models before competitors do it for them. This requires bold vision, clear communication, and the humility to collaborate with experts across industries. She shares stories from her career where cross-industry insights and outsider perspectives sparked breakthroughs in how firms approached growth and efficiency.For mid-sized firms, Nita highlights the rise of managed services as a way to support clients overwhelmed by technology, security, and compliance. For larger firms, she discusses the importance of addressing technical debt and modernizing legacy systems. Across all contexts, the lesson is the same: clients expect more than compliance—they want a trusted advisor who understands their business and provides meaningful insights.Throughout the episode, Ankur and Nita connect strategy with real-world practice, comparing experiences in consulting and marketing. They agree that emotional connection, storytelling, and genuine client relationships are just as essential as analytics and automation. The result is a candid, fast-moving conversation packed with takeaways for leaders at every stage of transformation.Key message: the firm of the future will be built on human connection, strategic insight, and smart use of technology. Change is constant, but with the right mindset and leadership, it can be an opportunity instead of a threat.Connect with Nita and the podcast:Visit Idea Innovate Consulting for more on Nita’s workFind Nita Sanger on LinkedIn for insights on transformation and growthFollow The Flex Work Podcast on your favorite platform and subscribe for new episodesShare this episode with a colleague in professional services, finance, or legal industriesTransformation isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing journey. Tune in to learn how to build the firm of tomorrow today.

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