How to strengthen your life sciences consultancy’s network

Life sciences firms don’t have the luxury of standing still. Besides this being a tumultuous time in the consulting space economically, politically and beyond, market access consultancies are facing an increasingly global client base demand.

It's no surprise then that many life sciences firms - especially those eyeing growth - look beyond their core team and tap into networks of agencies, freelancers, and strategic partners.

The potential is obvious: instant access to niche expertise, surge capacity for big projects, and boots on the ground in unfamiliar markets.

But these benefits don't come without their own risks, affecting anything from company culture to quality control. And so the challenge is clear: how do you scale through networks without letting your standards (and your reputation) slip?

In this blog, we'll take you through six pragmatic approaches, drawing on insights from market access consultants Fingerpost who've managed to make this dynamic work.

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1) Be deliberate about who joins your network

Not every freelancer or agency is a fit, and a warm CV is only the starting point. The urge to fill gaps quickly, especially when a big project land, can be strong... but it’s rarely worth the shortcut.

At Fingerpost, Chief Operating Officer Victoria Wooldridge never compromise on quality, even when bringing in external partners:

"[The partners] know the landscape. They can go straight in and they can get to the crux of the research. It brings really good quality research back to us."

Taking a methodical approach, Fingerpost build a small, trusted group of collaborators, vetting them as thoroughly as any full-time hire. Technical skills matter, but so does communication style, flexibility, and the ability to handle the ambiguity that comes with consulting.

Even a lightweight onboarding process pays off:

• Share your methodologies
• Explain your client preferences
• Lay out your review steps
• Make expectations explicit so people know what’s non-negotiable

Making sure everyone knows the 'ground rules' is the best way to ensure consistency.

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2) Don’t outsource what defines you

Smart consulting firms draw a clear line between what stays in-house and what can be delegated. Strategy, client relationships, and final recommendations are kept close.

Research, data gathering, or local insights might be trusted to external partner, but the firm owns the narrative and the client experience. CEO Catherine Bacon explains:

An added bonus to this approach is that it gives clients confidence that they’re getting your best thinking (and protects your reputation from the risks that come with over-delegation!)

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3) Build oversight and feedback into your model

When you bring more people into the mix, the risk of things slipping through the cracks goes up. Regular check-ins, clear project management tools, and formal review points keep everyone aligned.

Making sure everyone knows who's doing what is a discipline that a lot of consultancies lose when things get busy. To prevent this slipping, Fingerpost value open, direct feedback, both internally and with partners, to maintains standards.

If a relationship isn’t working, address it early. And don’t be afraid to move on from partners who can’t keep up.

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4) Keep the client experience consistent

Clients aren’t interested in your resourcing model. They're a lot more interested in results and the experience you deliver. If your firm promises a high-touch, tailored service, that shouldn’t change just because you’ve brought in external help.

Fingerpost are currently develop a centralized freelancer hub to help with this; this contains anything from policies and procedures to industry news and compliance.

Unless an external partner has proven themselves as a credible representative of your brand, communications should run through your team. This reduces noise, protects confidentiality, and ensures your standards are visible at every touchpoint.

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5) Use tools, but don’t rely on them alone

Fingerpost use operations tools like CMap and shared document systems to make it easier to coordinate dispersed teams:

"CMap has been a game-changing tool for us; it's completely changed our operational efficiency."

However, these tools are only as effective as the processes behind them. Set clear protocols for sharing documents, updating status, and requesting feedback. Give people only the access they need - and nothing more.

Good tech can boost efficiency and reduce errors, but without clear rules, it just adds another layer of confusion.

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6) Know when to say no

One of the hardest calls for any consulting firm is turning down work or stepping back from a partnership. Sometimes, capacity just isn’t there. Sometimes, a partner doesn’t fit your culture or your standards, no matter what their credentials say.

The best consulting firms know when to walk away, rather than risk a misstep that could harm their reputation. It’s easy to chase every opportunity in a competitive market, but the fallout from a poorly managed engagement lasts a lot longer than the revenue from a quick win.

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Final thoughts

Expanding your life sciences firm's network can drive growth and specialization if you do it with intention. The firms that thrive treat networks as an extension of their own team, not a workaround. They invest in relationships, maintain oversight, and hold the client experience sacred.

If you manage to get this right, you're likely to see sustainable growth of both your business and your brand reputation. If you’re thinking about broadening your firm’s network, start with these principles.

To hear more about Fingerpost's success story, listen to the podcast.