The Method
How an engagement runs, plainly told.
Four stages, the same for a one-week review and a six-month coordination.
Stage by Stage
A rhythm that keeps everyone honest.
Nothing in the sequence is dramatic; the value sits in doing each stage properly.
The Conversation
The first call is kept short: what is happening, who is involved, whether advice helps.
The Proposal
Fees, method and timescale in writing. The engagement starts only on a signed proposal.
The Reading
Sessions with staff, managers and partners; documents read in full, not skimmed.
The Handover
The written view is delivered and discussed; the action plan belongs to the client alone.
On the Sequence
Questions clients ask once the method is set.
Practical points about stage boundaries and what is expected of each side.
Do you need offices during the work?
Not usually. Review sessions run on-site or at the practice; document work happens from here.
What weighs on the fee?
The number of people needing to be heard and the time the client side can give. It is fixed in the proposal and does not drift.
What is asked of our team?
Availability for the sessions and candour in them. Anonymity inside the findings is part of the arrangement.
Can the report go to our board?
It is written to be board-readable, and presenting it in person is part of the normal closing week.
Reach the desk while the day is fresh.
The evening phone line stays with the director; morning is the best time to reach the desk.