Questions about working together
Most people want to understand a few practical things before deciding whether I’m the right person to help.
The questions below cover the things I’m asked most often about the kind of work I do, how I work, and what it’s like to work with me.
If your question isn’t here, feel free to get in touch and ask, I'd be happy to help.
Where should I start if I’m not sure what I need?
You don’t need to have worked that out before we speak. Sometimes the need is obvious, such as temporary finance support, a process that needs improving or a change that needs delivering. Sometimes it's less clear. If you know something needs attention but aren't sure where to start, Mind the Gaps is a free 20-minute assessment. If you need a more detailed, evidence-based view, the Business Clarity & Control Diagnostic is a £495 fixed-fee onsite review.
What kinds of businesses do you work with?
I mainly work with owners and senior leaders of established UK SMEs. The sectors vary, because the work I do is less about a particular industry and more about what the business needs across Finance, Operations, Business Improvement or Change. Some businesses need extra capability for a period. Others need a defined piece of work delivered, something improved or changed, or experienced help working out what needs attention.
What can you actually help with?
Quite a broad range. That can include day-to-day senior finance support, improving processes and systems, business analysis, delivering improvement projects, managing change and supporting the people affected by it. The level can range from detailed hands-on delivery through to taking end-to-end responsibility for a larger piece of work.
Do you only work in finance?
No, finance is my longest-standing area of experience, but I also work across Operations, Business Improvement and Change. That broader background is useful because work rarely stays neatly inside one department. What happens in finance can depend on processes, systems, responsibilities or decisions elsewhere in the business.
Do I need to know exactly what needs doing before I contact you?
No, sometimes people know exactly what needs doing and need someone experienced to take it on. At other times, they simply know something isn't working as well as it should and need help understanding why. Both are perfectly valid starting points.
Can you step in temporarily if someone leaves or we need extra capacity?
Yes, I can provide temporary hands-on support including Finance Manager or Financial Controller-level involvement, alongside an existing team, or responsibility for a defined piece of work while the business decides what it needs longer term.
What makes you different from a traditional consultant?
I don’t consider myself to be a consultant. I’m not limited to giving advice and leaving you to get on with it. My background is hands-on Finance, Operations, Business Improvement and Change, so I can work within the underlying day-to-day detail through to end-to-end responsibility. That means I can investigate, analyse and recommend, but I can also implement, manage and do the work where needed.
We’ve already tried to sort something out. Can you still help?
Yes, it’s not unusual for an internal team to make progress but then need to pull off through lack of time, capacity or when they need an additional cross business perspective. Sometimes the first approach has simply exposed something else that needs attention. I would start with what has already been done rather than beginning again unnecessarily.
Can you help if our financial records are incomplete or unreliable?
Yes, I have extensive experience of rebuilding financial information, clearing historical backlogs and working through incomplete or inconsistent records. The aim is to establish a reliable position first, then decide what needs to happen next.
Will you work directly with my team?
Usually, yes. I often work with owners and senior leaders, but I also spend time with the people doing the day-to-day work because they hold important parts of the picture. How involved I am with the wider team depends on the work itself.
How long do you usually work with a business?
It depends on what’s needed. Some assignments are short and defined. Others involve temporary support, a project running over several weeks or months, or more regular involvement for a period. The scope and level of responsibility are agreed at the start and can be reviewed as the work develops.
What does it cost to work with you?
Mind the Gaps is free. The Business Clarity & Control Diagnostic is £495 fixed fee. Other work is priced according to the scope, level of involvement and type of support required. I agree the basis of the work and the cost with you before we start, so you know what you are committing to.
How quickly can you start, and how long do you usually work with clients?
If I have capacity, I can usually start within a few days to a couple of weeks. If something is urgent, I’ll always be honest about whether I can realistically accommodate it. Some work is short and clearly defined. Other assignments run for several weeks or months, depending on what needs doing. We agree the scope and level of involvement at the start, then review it if the situation changes.