Are Lightbulb Disruptors? Let’s Be Honest… No.

“Disruption” is one of those buzzwords that seems to get thrown around far too casually these days. I saw a post recently about EY acquiring a boutique consultancy firm with claims that it would “disrupt the professional services market.” Let’s get real: it won’t.

Are Lightbulb Disruptors? Let’s Be Honest… No.

To be a true disruptor in the academic sense, you need to completely change the way something is done - not just do it a little faster, cheaper or with slightly nicer software. Netflix disrupted the video rental industry by making Blockbuster obsolete. Amazon and eBay disrupted retail by moving entire shopping habits online, reshaping logistics, consumer behaviour and expectations - and in doing so, contributed to the steady decline of traditional high street shops.

That’s disruption: a fundamental shift in how a service is accessed or delivered.

So, are we disrupting the accounting and professional services world at Lightbulb?

No — and that’s not a bad thing.

We’re not aiming to tear up the rulebook. We’re working within a well-established sector - and doing it really well. We’re using AI and automation to strip away the boring admin. That frees us up to focus on what really matters: talking to our clients, meeting them where they are, and understanding their businesses properly.

That’s not disruption. That’s professionalism.

We’re not trying to replace the need for accountants, advisors or consultants. We’re simply trying to be excellent at it - to give clients visibility, confidence, and peace of mind through streamlined systems, thoughtful insights, and personal service.

So no, we’re not disruptors. But we are ambitious. We’re committed to helping our clients grow and succeed - with tools that work, advice that counts, and people you actually want to talk to.

And sometimes, being consistently great in an established market is far more powerful than a flash-in-the-pan attempt to “disrupt” it.