The Skills Connection Reviews & Provider Details

Name: The Skills Connection
Rating: 4.9 (24 reviews)

The Skills Connection is an analyst relations consultancy founded in 2009. Its team of former senior Gartner analysts has a combined 145 years of direct Gartner experience and has worked with more than 650 technology vendors on analyst engagement including assessments such as the Gartner Magic Quadrant and the Forrester Wave. The firm is headquartered in Roslyn, New York, with an office in High Wycombe, United Kingdom. We have an NPS score of +83. Other analyst relations firms advise vendors on how to speak to analysts and to facilitate these meetings. We were the analysts. We wrote Magic Quadrants, one of our team invented The Hype Cycle, others helped develop the methodologies for IDC MarketScapes, FutureScapes and MaturityScapes. We scored vendor submissions, sat in review sessions, fielded inquiry calls from enterprise buyers, and decided which vendors deserved to be shortlisted and why. That institutional knowledge does not come from reading Gartner's published methodology. It comes from having lived it for decades. Since 2009, we have worked with more than 650 technology firms across the full spectrum of analyst assessments (e.g. Magic Quadrant, Wave, MarketScape, Leadership Compass, Peak Matrix, SPARK Matrix), engagement programs and go-to-market positioning challenges. Our clients range from early-stage SaaS companies engaging analysts for the first time to large enterprises defending a hard-won Leaders’ position. THE TEAM The depth of the team’s knowledge and experience is what makes The Skills Connection genuinely unique. This is not a one-person boutique or a rebranded PR agency with an analyst relations practice grafted on. Delivery is all done by senior, former analysts. Details of all the team members can be found at https://theskillsconnection.com/who-we-are/ WHAT WE DO FOR ANALYST ENGAGEMENT Analyst Assessment Services We are best known for preparing technology vendors for Gartner Magic Quadrant (MQ), Gartner Emerging Market Quadrant (EMQ), Gartner Startups Market Quadrant (SMQ), Forrester Wave, IDC MarketScape, and other structured analyst assessments. 1. We work with your subject matter experts (SMEs) to collectively identify the case to present and to identify and collate all the relevant evidence 2. Together we co-create the response materials set to reflect that case. We define structures and priorities, we identify key content for inclusion and the focus required, we review every aspect of the work in progress for the detailed content and structure. 3. We manage the process using our proven methodologies, and associated assets, for surveys, briefings, demos and customer feedback (e.g. references, Gartner Peer Insights) 4. At the draft review stage, we collaborate on both written and presented responses and, if required, orchestrate the content and processes required for content or process escalation 5. Finally, we provide guidance on how to turn research outcomes into real business outcomes (i.e. pipeline building and competitive wins) Our 2026 survey of over 100 vendors found that 90% of vendors find analyst criteria do not precisely align with their solution. Being a perfect fit is the exception. Knowing how to present your real capabilities compellingly within a complex assessment framework is the skill we have spent 17 years developing and delivering to clients. These are project-based activities following our proven Tune-Up methodology. 84% of clients, who engaged us to improve their assessment rating, report that we helped them to shift positively in their Magic Quadrant or Wave. Analyst Engagement Strategy Assessments are periodic. Analyst influence on your enterprise pipeline is continuous. Enterprise buyers talk to analysts through inquiry calls throughout their lifecycle of interest with any technology, often before a formal RFP has even been issued. If analysts don't understand your story, don't trust your evidence, and can't articulate your differentiation, your name may never reach the buyer. 1. We start with a deep dive into your business and relevant solutions. Using the information structure analysts use, we build up an understanding of your situation, goals and plans. Our proprietary analyst engagement assessment allows for us to collectively explore where the most urgent gaps are and prioritize actions 2. Our living annual plan is designed to align business and analyst goals and then set out a suitable collaborative program of work to deliver against those goals. The plan will include who to target, activity planning, evidence planning and goal alignment. 3. Together we plan out all the engagement activities throughout the year and, once again using our skills as experienced analysts, engage with all the relevant SMEs in your company, as well as analyst relations resources, to build out the right content for results 4. Whether its regular briefings, analyst news sheets, advisory sessions, demos, ad hoc communications (e.g. via email, social media posts) we work to co-create every piece of required content, review and stress test the content and its delivery 5. The analyst on the inside (i.e. our analyst on your team) will ensure execution of the plan through regular engagement and then facilitate a year-end assessment to identify future priorities for action For newer technology initiatives this can also lead to getting recognition from the likes of Gartner as a Cool Vendor or IDC as an IDC Innovator – both extremely valuable sources of trusted, third-party validation. 97% of our customers say that they would recommend The Skills Connection (and often do). COMMON QUESTIONS Do you only support Gartner Magic Quadrants? No. We support clients with assessments from across the analyst spectrum Do you only support assessment work? Not at all. Most of our clients work with us year-round on effective engagement with analysts. Assessments are often a part of that, whether Cool Vendor, SMQ/EMQ or full MQ, Wave etc. Why The Skills Connection versus an AR or PR agency Our focus is the story you tell and the evidence to tell it. Our senior analysts immerse themselves in your business and solution and have the credibility with your executives and SMEs to build that story and align messaging from across your organization What will the process demand from us? Effective engagement needs product, customer success, marketing and leadership input. The essential elements are the story and associated evidence, which we help you identify, construct, collate and orchestrate to get true ROI from your analyst engagement Do you work alongside existing AR teams? We work alongside AR teams and other AR agencies in a number of our clients. These AR professionals typically have strong relationships and institutional knowledge. What we bring is the analyst-side perspective and skillset to help assemble the right content to move the needle. WHY THE SKILLS CONNECTION IS DIFFERENT It’s simply that we are a team of former senior analysts and research executives with an average tenure of 11.5 years at Gartner alone, and over 16 years across different analyst firms. We have robust and proven processes, but for us these are table stakes. We focus on content using senior, experienced analysts who understand your technology, solutions and vision and know exactly how to root out the right information and take that insight and communicate it effectively to the analyst channel to drive real impact and measurable results.

Seller

The Skills Connection

Discussions

The Skills Connection Community

Languages Supported

German, English, French, Hebrew, Italian

Services Offered

Analyst Relations, Analyst Engagement, MQ Tune-Up, Wave Tune-Up, Marketscape Tune-Up

Locations Serviced

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, + 23 more

Overview by

Simon Levin (Managing Director, The Skills Connection)

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User Insights

Average based on 24 real user reviews.

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Timothy J.

Senior Consultant

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

7/9/2026

"Extensive Gartner MQ Expertise Helps You Build Your Best Response"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

The analysts and consultants at The Skills Connection have extensive experience and knowledge about how Gartner research--especially MQ's--is created. I have relied on this knowledge to help navigate the sometimes tricky process of MQ responses, analyst briefings, and analyst inquiries. For example, when objecting to something a Gartner analyst has written that is factually incorrect, what is the best way to proceed? Just having the facts on your side sometimes isn't enough. The Skills Connection helped me understand how to communicate and influence Gartner analysts in the most effective way. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

Honestly, I can't think of anything. I have been super pleased with their offerings every time I have used them. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

If you are an organization responding to your first Gartner MQ or Forrester Wave, I'd consider engagement with The Skills Connection pretty much mandatory. Your placement on these research pieces can drive (or lose) $1M's of revenue. In many instances, it really isn't obvious the best path to follow in responding. The Skills Connection helps with this. Highly recommended. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

I have used The Skills Connection a handful of times over the past 10 years. I have used them for assistance in Gartner MQ responses and, more broadly, building and maintaining a relationship with Gartner such that my company and offerings feature as positively as possible in Gartner's research publications. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

9/9/2026

"Up-to-Date Expertise and Constructive Guidance for Analyst Vendor Reports"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

- Up-to-date expertise and insights into what the analyst firms are looking for

- Methodical process to keep us on track

- Direct and constructive feedback to ensure we are putting our best foot forward

- Available when we needed them

- Ability to talk at all levels of the company Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

- I wish I had known about them many years ago! Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

Having The Skills Connection as a partner to help with analyst vendor comparison reports may not be for everyone. But if you're in a competitive field, are trying to establish your business, or want to elevate how the market perceives you, then the investing in their services is well worth it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

Analyst firm vendor comparisons, especially the leading Gartner Magic Quadrant and Forrester Wave reports, can be vital for buyers looking to shortlist vendors, or identify what should they should be looking for in a solution suitable for their business. So vendors who participate in these studies need to make sure they put their best foot forward, and provide as complete, factual, relevant and convincing information to the analysts conducting these comparative studies. Not just to position themselves well compared to others, but to position themselves in a meaningful way. But how to do best complete these heavy workloads as a vendor? Enter The Skills Connection. The experts here have been through these before, seen the good and the bad, and know what it takes for a vendor to be positioned in the best light possible. Without their guidance, we might have missed key pieces of information, not presented ourselves well, or fallen flat in briefings and presentations. The Skills Connection team took us through their process to meet deadlines, helped us understand the nuances in what was being asked from us, and checked everything before submission. Their work helped us focus on what mattered: positioning our company and offerings, and helping better inform analysts and their buying customers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

8/28/2026

"Outstanding Consultant Expertise and Hands-On Support"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

The calibre of the consultant we worked with was outstanding - she had the perfect blend of in-house experience at Gartner (Research VP) and deep industry experience (leadership roles in enterprise IT functions). Additionally, the quality of support she provided was exceptional - lots of hands on support, tough love / hard truths when we needed it. As well as helping with analyst relations, she played a big part in repositioning our messaging and overcoming internal resistance. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

I cannot think of a single negative about The Skills Connection. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

A successful analyst relations program requires a significant investment, most particularly in senior leadership time. The additional investment in support from The Skills Connection significantly increased our return on that investment. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

We engaged The Skills Connection to improve the value we received from our research contract with a major analyst firm, and to improve analyst awareness of our business so that they could advocate us to their clients more effectively. They were recommended to us by another SaaS vendor. The business impact of our engagement was massive, culminating in a strong position in two Magic Quadrants (previously we had not featured in a MQ). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer & Network Security

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

9/3/2026

"Strategic Partner During Gartner MQ Processs"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

Their expertise and technical acumen stood out. Having Skills Connection serve as a strategic partner during the MQ ensured the AR team could stay focused on process and project management, while also helping to unlock internal roadblocks so everything continued moving along smoothly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

Nothing. Even though we were operating across different time zones (US versus UK), they were consistently available, and the time difference meant we often had answers waiting for us by the time we woke up in the morning. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

The Skills Connection has been a strategic partner for our Analyst Relations program. In particular, we’ve leveraged their expertise to support us with evaluative reports, including the Gartner MQ. They operated as an extension of our AR team and provided guidance throughout the MQ process. Their experience and historical knowledge of the MQ helped us strengthen the quality of our responses during the RFI process, providing us in as strong a position as possible to achieve success in the MQ. Their input ensured our answers were clear, well-positioned, and highly differentiated. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

8/28/2026

"Invaluable Analyst Guidance That Helped Our Whole Team"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

We love the counsel and guidance. It’s been incredibly helpful to have an ex-Gartner analyst share the analyst’s perspective on our responses—what we should highlight and what potential concerns might come up based on how we answer. It was particularly valuable to get them in front of the rest of the team involved in the evaluation, so everyone could hear the feedback directly. The Skills Connection’s expertise and experience really shined through, and others on the team took their recommendations to heart. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

Nothing really. They have been great to work with throughout. Maybe one thing is to give them proper context heading into the evaluations so they know the background history of engagements with the analyst firms, competitive landscape, etc. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

Get them in front of as many people involved in the internal evaluation as possible. What The Skills Connection says tends to resonate with others—not just the AR leader—because of their direct experience as industry analysts. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

We’ve used The Skills Connection to help us refine our responses and demo content for multiple analyst evaluations (MQs, Waves, etc.). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

8/12/2026

"Strategic Partner and Extension of Our Team"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

I really appreciated The Skills Connection for being partners with us during an industry evaluation. They were an absolute godsend in helping us understand how the analyst firm evaluated our business and in crafting a strategy to keep them informed. Their team were incredible partners and advisers throughout, being with us every step of the process during the RF and helping to create a very clear, efficient, and easy-to-follow process. Over time, they became an extension of our team, providing strategic advisory that feels a seamless fit with our own efforts. Their incredibly deep knowledge of how analyst firms think, evaluate, and operate is key, giving us insight into how best to present our RFI. The Skills Connection's approach makes them feel like they are a natural part of our team. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

NA Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

8/3/2026

"AR Experts Who Feel Like Part of the Team"

4/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

They are experts in the AR method, while also keeping best practices up to date over time. They make a real effort to embed themselves into our team and operate like true team members, showing deep ownership of the work. They are also flexible as our needs change and the program evolves, stepping in as extra hands to fill whatever gaps come up. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

Its not a dislike but a limitation of the process -- sometimes they aren’t the best people to give highly specific advice for our industry or vertical, which is fairly common with consultants. They try to make up for that by working closely with SMEs, and they also expect the company to push back on recommendations that don’t make sense. The key point is that you’ll need that kind of input and challenge from your side. This won’t be a “set it & forget it” engagement; it’s more of an involved, co-build process. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

Consider whether you have enough bench strength in your AR function and extended team to guide TSC through the nuances of your space that they can’t be expected to know.

It also helps to scope your needs ahead of time. TSC works very diligently within the specific scope of the AR practice, but the work often becomes most useful when it can bleed more broadly into the rest of the business. Go in with a strategy for how you want to connect that AR-focused scope to adjacent teams and priorities.

Finally, take time to understand the nature of the TSC expert you’re working with and their style. Then decide whether that way of working is the best fit for your company and your people. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

Helping us get clear on our core messaging and core story.

Strategizing around the goals we want to achieve with analyst relations, and what that’s ultimately going to do for the business.

Bringing historical knowledge of the AR space and best practices, and then putting our context into the context of those practices. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

7/16/2026

"The best support you can get to become and stay a leader in the Gartner MQ"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

The combination of supporting analyst relations throughout the year and collaborating with us on analyst research (Gartner MQ, Forrester Wave). Our contact is very responsive and able to provide excellent guidance in any situation based on long-year experience. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

In the beginning, it was hard to translate TSC's guidance into what we do, because the consultant had little market knowledge. We had to find the ways how to apply the tipps ourselves. By having the same consultant over years, this only "gap" became minimal. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

When considering The Skills Connection be aware that they won't do the analyst relations work for you. You need to invest the time and effort to do that yourself. But they will be like a big brother always at your side making it easier every step you take together. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

For multiple years, I've been working with The Skills Connection as a consultancy for our analyst relations. In the beginning, we mostly benefited from their guidance on running outcome-driven analyst relations, with many insights and advice on analyst interaction plans and vendor briefings. A game-changer each year and unique in the market is their direct support during analyst assessments (Gartner MQ, Forrester Wave, etc.). Our consultant not only helps us in better understanding what the analysts expect in each RFI response or request delivery asset (presentation, demo recording) but also with improving each one of these deliverables while constantly checking that they show an improvement from last year and are consistent across the the entire, complex research. With the help of TSC, we improved our MQ position from visionary to 5-time leader (#1 on both axis) with a clear distance to the rest of the market. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

7/2/2026

"Expert Advisors Deliver Actionable, High-Impact Feedback"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

Their biggest differentiator is the experience of their advisors. Because many of them are former industry analysts, they have a deep understanding of how evaluations are conducted and what reviewers are looking for. They provide thoughtful, actionable feedback that goes well beyond editorial review—they challenge assumptions, identify gaps, strengthen the narrative, and help us maximize the impact of every response. They are also collaborative, responsive, and easy to work with under tight deadlines. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

The primary drawback is cost. Their services represent a meaningful investment, particularly for organizations supporting multiple analyst evaluations throughout the year. That said, given the strategic importance of these evaluations and the quality of the guidance they provide, we've found the value generally justifies the expense. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

Engage them early in your planning process rather than waiting until your submission is nearly complete. They provide the most value when they can help shape the overall narrative, messaging strategy, and supporting evidence from the beginning. Be open to candid feedback—their perspective as former analysts can significantly improve the clarity and effectiveness of your submission. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

The Skills Connection helps us improve how we participate in strategically important analyst evaluations, including Gartner Magic Quadrants. Rather than simply reviewing our submissions, they help us strengthen our overall narrative, align our messaging to what analysts are actually evaluating, and ensure our responses are backed by compelling customer evidence and proof points.

Their guidance has helped us present our capabilities more effectively, eliminate unnecessary content, and focus on the information that matters most to the analyst. As a result, we have greater confidence that our submissions accurately reflect the strengths of our portfolio and are positioned for the best possible outcome. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

7/1/2026

"Expert guidance that helped us turn analyst engagement into market visibility"

5/5

What do you like best about The Skills Connection?

What I like best is their deep understanding of the analyst process. They are former Gartner analysts and know how Gartner works, what analysts expect, and how to present information in a way that is clear, factual and evidence-backed.

They also keep you honest. Their feedback is direct, but it helps you focus on what really matters, improve the quality of your responses and demos, and put your best foot forward. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about The Skills Connection?

There is nothing I would describe as a real dislike. The only thing to be aware of is that their feedback can be very direct, so you need to go into the process open-minded and ready to be challenged. In our case, that directness was valuable because it made the final outcome much stronger. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering The Skills Connection:

I would absolutely recommend The Skills Connection to any company that wants to get more value from its analyst relations investment, especially with Gartner.

Go into the process with an open mind, be ready to provide evidence, and be prepared to be challenged. If you do that, The Skills Connection can help you sharpen your message, align your internal teams, and engage analysts with much more confidence. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is The Skills Connection solving and how is that benefiting you?

We had invested in Gartner but did not fully know how to get the most value from that investment. We needed help understanding how to engage analysts, how to communicate our value proposition in a way that was factual and evidence-backed, and how to use analyst engagement to improve our market visibility.

The Skills Connection helped us structure our briefings, product strategy documents, Magic Quadrant responses and demos in the right way. As a result, analysts now better recognise our organisation and understand our value proposition. We were named in two Magic Quadrant researches. Internally, the work also helped align product, engineering, marketing, sales and senior stakeholders around a clearer message. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.