About
A growth partner, not a one-time project
Why I started Baker Strategy
A lot of consulting ends right when the real work begins. A plan gets presented, everyone nods, and then the day-to-day takes over. Six months later, the plan is sitting in a folder.
I've seen that from both sides. I did strategy and market analysis work for global clients at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, and before that I led cross-functional improvement work from the inside at AT&T. I founded Baker Strategy in 2005 to be the kind of partner who helps set the direction and then stays to help you follow through: in the planning sessions, in the budget conversations, and in the moments when something isn't working and needs a fresh look.
Since then I've worked across nonprofit, healthcare, and commercial organizations, helping them build strategic partnerships, engage the people who matter to them, and grow.
Partner-first, for the long run
The companies I work with don't need someone to come in, rearrange things, and leave. They need a steady partner who learns the business, knows the people, and gets more useful over time.
That's how I like to work. We agree on what matters most, we check in regularly, and we adjust as your business changes. Some clients work with me for a focused project. Others keep me close month to month. Either way, the goal is the same: real progress you can see and build on.
Practical about AI
AI tools can help a small or mid-sized company do things that used to take a much bigger team. They can also waste a lot of time and money when they're added without a plan.
My approach is simple. We start with your goals and your processes, not with the tools. Then we find the few places where AI can clearly save time, improve quality, or help your team make better decisions. We try it, measure it, and keep what works. Your people stay in charge; the tools are there to help them.
I also build with these tools, not just talk about them. I developed ParlayVu, an AI-powered content platform designed for the trades. It turns a single video interview, blog, or social post into threads, ads, emails, reels, and other assets while keeping the brand's voice. That hands-on work keeps my advice practical.
Who you'll work with
I'm David Baker, and I've run Baker Strategy in Ann Arbor since 2005. I help CEOs and CMOs of growing companies build growth strategies they can actually follow and bring AI into their work where it truly helps. My background includes strategy consulting at Roland Berger, internal consulting at AT&T, and national sales leadership at CFI Group. I also built ParlayVu, an AI-powered content platform for the trades. I hold an MBA from the University of Michigan.
What you can expect from me
- Straight talk. I'll tell you what I see, even when it's not what you were hoping to hear.
- Plain language. No jargon, and no slides that need a translator.
- Practical steps. Every conversation should end with something you can act on.
- Steady presence. I'm here for the long run, not just the kickoff.