In the Season 2 finale of Resource Management Revolution, we explore why resource management is no longer just an operational necessity—it’s a strategic function of the future.
In Episode 8: From operations to innovation: Resource management is the function of the future, Christine sits down with Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape, to discuss how firms can elevate its impact and drive innovation.
From proven tactics for positioning resource management as a critical investment area to the AI-driven innovations on the horizon, Matt shares insights on how leading firms are driving its evolution. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, this episode offers fresh perspectives and practical strategies you won’t want to miss.
Key insights from the episode:
1. Industry insights: Why resource management is gaining strategic importance
Christine and Matt discuss how resource management is emerging as a strategic business enabler rather than solely an operational function. As professional services firms navigate increasing competition and the changes that come with private equity investment, the need for greater workforce visibility and more predictive, agile resource planning is pushing resource management to the forefront.
Matt draws a parallel between this shift and the evolution of sales operations:
“There’s a clear parallel between the evolution of sales operations and the trajectory of resource management. Looking back 10 years, sales operations was often a back-office function. Fast forward to today, and it’s a central, strategic role in any growing organization. Resource management is on a similar path.”
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
Private equity’s increasing investment in professional services firms is accelerating this change. Matt explains:
"Resource management is becoming a major focus and investment area for large-scale organizations across professional services (PS). What’s driving this shift is a convergence of factors—one of the biggest being private equity investment in PS and accounting firms.
That kind of investment brings a sharp focus on growth, efficiency, and technology. It forces firms to scrutinize their operations, including how they invest in software and tech, and how well they understand their own business."
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
This heightened focus on efficiency, profitability, and long-term workforce strategy is compelling firms to rethink the role of resource management and how it shapes business performance.
2. Proven tactics: How to position resource management as a strategic investment
Christine and Matt discuss why, despite its rising importance, the resource management function often struggles to gain the visibility and recognition it deserves. Matt shares practical tactics for resource managers to secure buy-in and demonstrate business impact.
One of the most effective strategies? Shifting the conversation from investment to revenue at risk:
“If you want to position resource management as a must-have function or a key investment area, there are a couple of powerful tactics. One of the most effective is highlighting revenue at risk—rather than just framing it as an investment, show what’s being left on the table.
What opportunities are slipping away? How is the firm falling behind? How are customers and employees being underserved? If you can quantify that, it becomes a compelling case that cannot be ignored.”
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
Christine and Matt also discuss the importance of asking the right questions to initiate conversations with senior leaders:
"Starting the right conversations begins with asking the right questions. For example, ‘How impactful would it be if you could look two years ahead and see your projected revenue based on today’s resources?’
If the answer is ‘yes, that would be valuable,’ the next question is, ‘Can you do that today?’ If not, you’ve created the perfect opportunity to paint a picture of what’s possible."
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
By presenting resource management as an enabler of revenue growth and business foresight, firms can strengthen their case for greater investment.
3. Actionable advice: How to elevate resource management and your career
Christine and Matt discuss how resource management professionals can grow their influence and advance their careers, emphasizing the importance of visibility, credibility, and internal advocacy.
Matt highlights the need to actively build the brand of resource management within an organization:
"The resource management function has the power to not only show the state of play but also provide a forward-looking view. Building its brand starts with shining a light on the organization—surfacing insights that highlight opportunities, risks, and challenges—and differentiating through certainty.
Management data often lacks certainty, which is why it’s crucial to prove your track record and establish resource management as the go-to source for reliable insights. It’s not an easy task, but closing the gap between what you predict will happen and what actually happens is essential. By minimizing that variance, you build trust and credibility.”
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
Christine builds on this, noting how certainty is critical to maintaining trust and influence:
"You might have the best intentions and the best processes, but if you don’t have the data and metrics to back them up, trust starts to erode. Certainty becomes a powerful differentiator. In the accountancy industry, the concept of 'reasonable confidence' is key, especially when it comes to audits. However, the game-changing potential of AI is its ability to provide absolute confidence in decision-making."
Christine Robinson, Strategic Advisor at Dayshape
Christine and Matt also discuss the importance of learning from peers and staying connected to the broader resource management community:
"Investing in the function means taking the time to understand what it could be, learning from others, and engaging with the resource management community. Get out there—listen to podcasts, attend industry events, and connect with peers."
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
"Resource managers can feel like lone wolves—while they may have significant influence within their organizations, they can lack visibility into what's happening externally. With few dedicated resource management publications, it's essential they stay connected to and learn from developments across the broader resource management community.”
Christine Robinson, Strategic Advisor at Dayshape
Matt and Christine encourage resource managers to be bold and unafraid to drive change within their organizations:
"Be bold. Seek out the insights you need, and don’t be afraid to share them. You might not always be right, but that’s part of the process. Put yourself out there, contribute to the wider organization, and say, ‘Here’s something I’ve discovered.’ That’s how progress happens, and in doing so, you’ll help elevate both your career and the resource management function as a whole."
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
"Being a successful resource management leader isn’t about simply repeating what’s been done before—it requires understanding your organization’s goals and identifying how resource management can actively drive the business toward those objectives. Achieving this alignment demands change, and resource leaders need to be ready to actively lead and champion that change."
Christine Robinson, Strategic Advisor at Dayshape
By taking these steps, resource managers can position themselves as key players in their firm's strategic direction.
4. Predictions: The future of resource management and AI’s role
Christine and Matt explore how AI is shaping the next era of resource management. They emphasize that the intention shouldn’t be to replace human decision-making but to sharpen insights and accelerate action, positioning AI as a powerful tool for improving accuracy, efficiency, and strategic planning.
Matt underscores that AI isn’t a quick fix but a long-term investment:
“AI is like having the wind at your back—it helps accelerate what you already know you want to achieve. The key is to set your vision, build your plan, and then determine how AI can support that journey. It’s not a silver bullet or an instant fix that requires zero investment—it’s a journey.”
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
One of the most immediate applications of AI is resource matching and optimization:
“The impact of technology often depends on how well it’s implemented and adopted. With AI specifically, Dayshape delivers immense value by accelerating decision-making through surfacing informed suggestions and improving the accuracy of matching resources to projects at scale—a fundamental capability we provide.”
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
For firms embracing it, AI is already revolutionizing resource management—enhancing decision-making and enabling more proactive, future-focused planning. And this is just the start; with rapid advancements already underway, the opportunities for innovation ahead are significant.
"Dayshape is already delivering AI-driven capabilities that accelerate resource management decision-making, enabling firms to proactively spot opportunities, anticipate challenges, and align resources to projects at scale.
We're actively developing exciting new capabilities, such as using natural language to interrogate data, predict future challenges, and instantly match consultants to projects. AI in resource management is rapidly evolving, and firms that take the time to research, embrace, and understand its potential will position themselves as leaders in the field."
Matt Cockett, CEO of Dayshape
Conclusion
Resource management is shifting from an operational role to a strategic business enabler, creating significant opportunities for innovation. Firms investing in it today are already gaining greater visibility, efficiency, and foresight. As Matt emphasizes, “Resource management has the greatest opportunity to stand out and cement itself as a function of the future—and that shift is happening now.”
For firms aiming to lead, the question shouldn't be if they'll elevate resource management, but when.