Knowledge as a service: how technology consultants are turning technical training into a strategic business asset

Knowledge as a service: how technology consultants are turning technical training into a strategic business asset

Maya Nikolova is the co-founder MNKnowledge – a technology consulting company that has been delivering high-level expertise in learning program design, team development, and project management for over 11 years. For “We asked the experts”, she shares her perspective on the evolving role of the tech consultant in a time of accelerated digital transformation and shifting business models. Maya also shares how a strategic approach to learning and knowledge-sharing can bring real value to organisations, and what businesses today expect from their technology partners. She reflects on the transformation of IT roles, the rise of flexible skillsets, and what it takes to effectively connect technology, education, and business goals.

How is the role of the technology consultant evolving in today’s business environment, especially in the context of rapid tech advancement and AI?

The role of the technology consultant is gradually evolving into that of a long-term strategic partner.
For a long time, tech companies relied on their internal L&D centers, but this model has proven to be insufficiently flexible especially during times of recession, when business needs shift rapidly and unpredictably.

Today, companies increasingly depend on external consultants who offer greater adaptability and deeper expertise. These consultants deliver end-to-end solutions by combining domain knowledge and niche technical skills ranging from core tech competencies such as algorithms, OOP, and general-purpose programming languages to cutting-edge areas like AI, DevOps, and low-code/no-code platforms.

Consultants are no longer limited to one-off advice they integrate into the company’s processes, understanding and anticipating its evolving needs. This helps bridge the gap between an organisation’s strategic vision and the fast-changing technological landscape.

How can companies build a sustainable culture of knowledge-sharing – both internally and between clients and providers?

Building a lasting culture of knowledge-sharing, whether internal or in collaboration with external consultants, starts with a clear, shared vision of its purpose. Technical expertise is critical across the entire organisation, and it’s essential to develop it at all levels as a foundation for long-term success.

In addition to internal initiatives, it’s also valuable when companies share knowledge externally, whether through partnerships with schools and universities, training programs for educators, or the development of competency centers.

In large organisations, where teams often work in silos, effective knowledge-sharing becomes a major challenge. A lack of awareness of what other departments do can hinder synergy and process optimisation. While forward-thinking managers aim to create more horizontal structures, daily operational demands often limit their ability to systematically address this gap.

This is where external consultants come in – they offer an objective perspective and the expertise needed to identify obstacles and design a strategic plan for company-wide knowledge-sharing. In this context, the consultant acts as a key facilitator, bridging communication and knowledge flows across departments.

How have business needs changed in recent years, and what do companies now expect from their tech partners?

On one hand, IT companies are undergoing significant transformation, shifting from traditional outsourcing models toward shared service centers. At the same time, we see a shift from businesses offering just products to those providing Product-as-a-Service models.

These changes are a direct result of evolving business needs, and they demand a transformation in the skills and mindset of the tech workforce.

To better understand these shifts, we need to look at the transformation of traditional IT roles. We’re seeing a process of “deconstruction,” where rigid job descriptions are being replaced by flexible, clustered skillsets. This means that engineers are now expected to have broader technical knowledge and, at the same time, step beyond development-focused tasks to better understand the specific industry they support.

Software engineers are increasingly acting as domain consultants who deeply understand the industry they’re writing software for. They grasp the business needs, challenges, and goals of the end user. When a developer possesses both excellent engineering skills and business context, they can offer not just a solution but the right solution, one that delivers real value. This also allows for smoother transitions between projects, teams, and functions.

Despite the difficult business climate in Bulgaria, in recent months we’ve seen a steady presence of corporate initiatives for developing young IT talent such as boot camps and academies as well as growing interest in internal upskilling/reskilling programs aimed at enhancing or redirecting employees’ qualifications.

This evolution is also reshaping expectations toward educational partners. These partners are now seen as navigators of transformative change. They must integrate AI smartly into their operations while involving tech consultants, internal or external, who have domain expertise and can effectively select, train, and develop the right IT professionals.

How can tech companies support education and the development of learning processes in the IT sector?

Initiatives such as donations, talent development programs, and others led by tech companies represent a valuable contribution to IT education.
However, to achieve sustainable and large-scale impact, we must move beyond isolated initiatives and work toward building a comprehensive strategic vision for IT education development. This vision should be supported by the entire industry and professional associations and should be meaningfully integrated into educational institutions both in the short and long term.

Only through such coordinated, strategic collaboration among all stakeholders can we ensure that Bulgaria’s IT sector has access to the highly skilled professionals it needs to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.