Solutions 21
Solutions 21 is a privately held U.S. leadership development consulting firm, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, that delivers its patented Next Leader Now cohort program and adjacent strategic planning and organizational enablement services to mid-market and enterprise organizations navigating generational leadership transitions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Solutions 21 does
Solutions 21 is a privately held U.S. management consulting firm founded in 1994 by Buddy Hobart and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The firm specializes in leadership development, serving mid-market and enterprise organizations that need to build next-generation leadership pipelines, particularly in the context of Baby Boomer retirements and Millennial/Gen Z workforce transitions. Its flagship offering is the patented Next Leader Now program — a research-backed, multi-faceted cohort development experience built on the proprietary "Applied Ideas Framework" that combines performance feedback, one-on-one certified coaching, continuous engagement, quarterly workshops, peer cohorts, and personalized strategic planning. A specialized variant, Next Leader Now for Sales, targets sales leadership development. Adjacent service lines include Strategic Planning consulting (five-to-ten-year horizon roadmaps) and Organizational Enablement for custom problem solving via a four-phase methodology (Due Diligence, Analyze, Implement, Reinforce).
The company's go-to-market is consultative enterprise field sales with direct engagement of client organizations; programs are delivered in-person or virtually and are customized rather than standardized. Revenue mechanics are quote-based, multi-year contracts with no publicly disclosed pricing. Distribution is supported by seven U.S. offices (Pittsburgh, Leawood KS, Tampa, Jacksonville, Clarksville TN, Phoenix, Dallas) and a broad content marketing footprint that includes three published books, multiple research whitepapers, a long-running blog, a YouTube channel, a weekly newsletter, and named case studies across banking (CrossFirst Bank), insurance (Sun Life, Henderson Brothers), and consulting (Millan Enterprises).
Solutions 21 operates as a founder-led, service-only business with no external institutional funding, no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, and a core team of roughly 22 professionals extended by a distributed bench of leadership consultants. The firm displays an Inc. 5000 color medallion, indicating recognition on the list of America's fastest-growing private companies, and claims engagements spanning five continents over more than two decades. The business is materially differentiated by the unusually high concentration of military Special Operations veterans, professional athletes, and repeat senior operators among its leadership bench.
Solutions 21 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Solutions 21
- Legal name
- Solutions 21
- Website
- https://solutions21.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Solutions 21 is a privately held U.S. leadership development consulting firm, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, that delivers its patented Next Leader Now cohort program and adjacent strategic planning and organizational enablement services to mid-market and enterprise organizations navigating generational leadership transitions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Solutions 21 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Management Consulting
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture) (BPACAJAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate & Leadership Development (BPACANAA), Leadership Assessment, 360 Feedback & Development Planning (EDABAAAK), Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA), Change Management & Transformation Leadership (EDABAAAD)
Keywords
Where Solutions 21 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Solutions 21 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Leadership Development Programs: Revenue generated from customizable leadership training programs including Next Leader Now (flagship), Next Leader Now for Sales, and organization-specific cohort programs. Programs are offered both in-person and virtually, with candidates submitted by client organizations.
- Strategic Planning Consulting: Consulting services for organizational strategic planning, helping organizations develop clear visions, strategic plans, and execution roadmaps for 5-10 year horizons.
- Organizational Enablement & Custom Problem Solving: Custom problem-solving consulting services using a four-phase methodology (Assessment, Analysis, Implementation, Reinforcement) tailored to unique organizational needs.
- Publications and Books: Revenue from published books including 'The Leadership Decade', 'Gen Y Now', and 'Succeeding' by company founders and executives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Next Leader Now (Flagship Cohort Program) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Solutions 21 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Solutions 21 provides customized leadership development programs, strategic planning consulting, and organizational enablement services to mid-market and enterprise organizations. Its flagship offering, the Next Leader Now program, is a research-backed, multi-faceted leadership training program that combines performance feedback, one-on-one coaching, quarterly workshops, peer engagement, and personal strategic planning to develop next-generation leaders.
Product overview
Solutions 21 offers a portfolio of leadership development solutions centered around its flagship program Next Leader Now, along with strategic planning and organizational enablement consulting services. The company provides three variants of its Next Leader Now program (standard cohort, sales-focused, and customized in-person/remote options) supported by executive coaching, quarterly workshops, and personal strategic planning tools. Complementing its training programs, Solutions 21 publishes thought leadership through three books—The Leadership Decade, Gen Y Now, and Succeeding—focusing on multi-generational leadership, Millennial workforce management, and business succession planning.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Next Leader Now Flagship research-backed leadership development program designed to build leadership qualities in high-potential participants through multi-faceted coaching, quarterly workshops, peer engagement, and personalized strategic planning. Targeted at organizations seeking to develop emerging leaders, particularly those facing multi-generational workforce transitions.
- Next Leader Now for Sales Specialized variant of the Next Leader Now program focused on developing high-performing sales talent and scaling business profitability through sales-specific leadership training strategies. Targeted at organizations seeking to elevate their sales leadership bench.
- Strategic Planning Services Strategy consulting services helping organizations develop long-term vision, goals, and objectives to bridge the gap between current state and desired outcomes over a 5-10 year horizon. Includes assessment, planning, execution support, and ongoing check-ins.
- Organizational Enablement & Custom Problem Solving Custom consulting services using a four-phased approach (Due Diligence, Analysis, Implementation, Reinforcement) to help organizations address complex challenges such as family business succession, technology transitions, and employee retention. Tailored to unique organizational needs.
- The Leadership Decade: A Playbook for an Extraordinary Era Book by Buddy Hobart covering leadership development strategies for the 2020s, focusing on multi-generational workforce leadership, career chessboard concepts, and building leadership DNA across organizations.
- Gen Y Now: Strategies for Managing the Real Generation Y Book by Buddy Hobart and Herb Sendek exploring myths about Millennials and providing strategies to hire, manage, and retain Gen Y employees effectively.
- Succeeding: Stepping Up Without Stepping in It Book by Albert Ciuksza Jr. providing a comprehensive guide for 25 to 45-year-old business successors on navigating the multifaceted dynamics and challenges of modern workplace succession.
Quantifiable outcome
- 93% of companies don't have strong Millennial programs in place to build leaders within their workforce
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Solutions 21
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Solutions 21 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Solutions 21 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Solutions 21 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BTS: A business simulation and leadership development consultancy delivering cohort-based experiential leadership programs for enterprises. Comparable to Solutions 21 in cohort-style leadership development and strategic alignment engagements.
- FranklinCovey: One of the largest dedicated leadership development and training firms globally, selling cohort-based programs and content (e.g., The 7 Habits) to enterprise clients. Directly competes with Solutions 21's Next Leader Now in the enterprise leadership development category.
- DDI (Development Dimensions International): A global leadership development firm offering assessment, coaching, and learning solutions for frontline through executive leaders. Overlaps directly with Solutions 21's leadership development, 360/feedback, and succession offerings to mid-market and enterprise clients.
- Dale Carnegie Training: A long-established leadership and professional development training provider with global reach offering courses in leadership, communications, and sales. Comparable to Solutions 21's cohort leadership and sales leadership (Next Leader Now for Sales) offerings.
- Center for Creative Leadership: A nonprofit research-based leadership development provider offering executive education, coaching, and assessment programs. Comparable to Solutions 21 in its focus on research-backed leadership programs and executive coaching engagements.
- Blanchard (The Ken Blanchard Companies): Leadership and management training company known for The New One Minute Manager and Situational Leadership II. Directly comparable in offering structured leadership development programs and coaching for organizations.
Broad incumbents
- Gallup: Research and consulting firm offering leadership and management development programs (CliftonStrengths, engagement research) to enterprises. Comparable adjacent presence in leadership research, assessment, and enterprise development.
- Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a dedicated Leadership Consulting practice. Comparable broader incumbent in succession planning, executive coaching, and leadership development served by Solutions 21.
- Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm spanning executive search, leadership development, and talent assessment. A much larger incumbent offering overlapping leadership development, coaching, and succession services to enterprise clients served by Solutions 21.
Regional players
- Giuliani Partners / Cornerstone Leadership Group: A boutique management and leadership consulting firm offering tailored leadership training and strategic advisory. Comparable to Solutions 21 as a smaller specialized leadership development and strategic planning provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Solutions 21 social profiles
Digital presenceSolutions 21 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Solutions 21 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Solutions 21 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Solutions 21 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Solutions 21
What does Solutions 21 do?
Solutions 21 provides customized leadership development programs, strategic planning consulting, and organizational enablement services to mid-market and enterprise organizations. Its flagship offering, the Next Leader Now program, is a research-backed, multi-faceted leadership training program that combines performance feedback, one-on-one coaching, quarterly workshops, peer engagement, and personal strategic planning to develop next-generation leaders.
Is Solutions 21 a public or private company?
Solutions 21 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Solutions 21 founded?
Solutions 21 was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Solutions 21 based?
Solutions 21 is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Solutions 21 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Leadership Development Programs are the primary driver. The others are strategic Planning Consulting, organizational Enablement & Custom Problem Solving and publications and Books.
Who are Solutions 21's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BTS, FranklinCovey, DDI (Development Dimensions International), Dale Carnegie Training, Center for Creative Leadership and Blanchard (The Ken Blanchard Companies). Broad incumbents are Gallup, Heidrick & Struggles and Korn Ferry. Giuliani Partners / Cornerstone Leadership Group is listed as a regional player.
Does Solutions 21 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Solutions 21.
What industry is Solutions 21 in?
Solutions 21's product category is Management Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAJAH, Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture), with a secondary code of BPACANAA, Corporate & Leadership Development. Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.