As a rule, if it is felt that an inquirer's company can afford the consulting fees, the consultant gets on an airplane to establish contact, build a relationship and secure the customer. Only after an initial meeting does the prospect understand if the consulting methods are in line with the company's needs. This keeps the consultant off the airplane if a prospect doesn't accept the firm's methodology. For anyone to steal another firm's methods and approaches is like wearing someone else's shoes. A business that tries to use another's methods and approaches won't prosper.
Customers know when consultants are performing to someone else's tune.
As a writer, I learned through time that other people's approaches are not mine. Anyone can find complete customer service and sales articles for their company. Acknowledgment of capabilities, manufactured goods or consulting services, help you communicate with only the best prospects. Anyone can make resin tabletops if they really want to or apply a consultant's methods to solve their own problems given enough time. Everyone can do everything, but we don't.