There are situations when company requires really quick action. It is called turnaround management. This is saving the existence of a company. We cooperate with a consultant who does it, and this usually means being physically in a company and making decisions for the management. The problem is that such companies usually do not have money to pay with. So they sign contracts to share future profits with the consultant. But when they are turned around and start to generate profit, they believe the same would have happened without the consultant, and are not ready to pay for the expertise. Although psychologically understandable, it does not help to perform the job. Long term work with a company is slightly easier for them, it leaves time for reflection. The mentality is being changed.
Of course there is also “pharmacological” market in consulting – miraculous medicine for anything. Ready to use systems, tools, which are supposed to solve all company's problems as long as they pay enough. We try to keep far from this.