Just tell me straight
Sometimes you just need someone to tell you what they really think.
An independent, confidential conversation for business owners who need an honest commercial view.
Sometimes you do not need a report, a strategy workshop or another adviser carefully sitting on the fence.
You need someone who will listen to the whole story, ask the awkward questions and tell you honestly what they think.
The real version
Say the whole thing out loud
Running a business can be surprisingly isolating.
There may be employees, advisers, family members and other business owners around you, but that does not always mean there is anyone you can speak to completely openly.
Sometimes everybody involved has an opinion, a personal interest or only part of the picture.
This is somewhere to explain the whole situation, including the awkward bits, the history and the things you are not yet sure how to articulate.
What this is
A useful conversation, not a coaching programme
This is a confidential space to work through a decision, untangle a problem or test whether an idea actually makes sense.
There is no fixed formula and no requirement to arrive with a polished question.
You may need financial insight, commercial challenge, practical advice or simply an independent person who can see the situation without the emotional baggage.
Sense-checking a decision
Talk through the options, likely consequences and anything that may have been overlooked.
Testing an idea
An honest view on whether the proposal is workable, financially sensible and worth pursuing.
Untangling a difficult situation
Separate the immediate frustration from the underlying commercial, financial or operational problem.
Preparing for an awkward conversation
Work through what needs to be said to a client, employee, supplier, business partner or professional adviser.
Challenging assumptions
Identify where a decision may be driven by habit, optimism, frustration or incomplete information.
Understanding the numbers
Discuss what the financial information is actually saying and how it affects the options available.
Working out what happens next
Turn a complicated situation into a manageable and practical next step.
Honest advice
Supportive does not have to mean agreeing with you
We will listen properly and take the situation seriously.
We will also ask questions, challenge the parts that do not appear to add up and say when we think an idea creates unnecessary cost, risk or aggravation.
The decision remains yours.
Our role is to help you make it with a clearer understanding of the facts, options and likely consequences.
Independent
We are not emotionally, financially or politically involved in the decision.
Commercial
The conversation focuses on what is workable in the real business.
Direct
You will receive an honest view, explained clearly and without unnecessary drama.
When it helps
For the things you keep going round in circles about
- You are too close to an issue to see it clearly
- Everyone around you has a personal interest in the outcome
- You are considering a significant investment or change
- A business relationship has become difficult
- You have several possible options and none feels obviously right
- You suspect something is wrong but cannot yet identify exactly what
- You want a second opinion before involving lawyers, funders or other advisers
- You need to talk through the financial and commercial consequences
- You want someone to ask the question everybody else has avoided
- You need someone to tell you whether you are being completely reasonable or slightly ridiculous
How it works
Use it when you need it
Support can be arranged as a one-off conversation, occasional access when something arises or an ongoing relationship.
The discussion may involve money, people, contracts, business structures, systems, clients, suppliers or simply the reality of running the business.
Where formal legal, tax, regulatory or other specialist advice is required, we will say so clearly.
One-off conversation
A focused discussion about a particular decision, problem or opportunity.
Ad hoc support
Someone to contact when an issue arises and an independent view would help.
Ongoing critical friend
Regular conversations for business owners who value consistent challenge, context and commercial perspective.
“You do not need to have the answer. You do not even need to have a perfectly formed question. Tell us what is going on and we will start there.”
Need someone to tell you straight?
Tell us what is going on and we will arrange a confidential conversation.