Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What services do you offer as a small business advisor?

We provide guidance and advice on business strategy, marketing & PR strategy, financial control systems and productivity tools. If a client needs expert advice that we don't provide, we can often recommend other specialist advisors from our network (e.g. capital raising, environmental markets, etc).

How can working with a small business advisor benefit my business?

Please see our blog post — 6 ways a good business advisor can help any small company boss — which covers this in detail. 

What types of businesses do you typically work with?

Our clients range from one-person startups to established small businesses with typically up to 50 employees. We work with companies across all sectors. 

How do I know if my business needs the help of a small business advisor?

Please see our blog post — Which is best for your company: a business advisor or a business coach? — which covers this question in detail. This post includes a helpful questionnaire to help you decide what sort of help you may need. 

What qualifications and experience do you have?

Please see here for details about our team, their experience and qualifications. You will also find links to their LinkedIn profiles.

How much does your small business advisory service cost?

Our pricing depends on what you want to achieve. Once we have a clear understanding of your ambitions and the work involved, we will happily send a quote for your approval. In any event, we will only accept an engagement if we expect the client to earn a significant return on the cost of our advice.

Can you help with business planning and goal setting?

Absolutely. We specialise in strategic planning and can also show you how to create business plans and set goals.

How can you assist with marketing and customer acquisition strategies?

As marketing and PR specialists, we can start with a marketing health check so you have a clear picture of the effectiveness of your current strategy. Or we can design a new strategy for you from scratch. We can discuss the best marketing channels for your type of business and share with you a range of techniques to help you win new customers.

Can you provide guidance on financial management and improving profitability?

As qualified accountants and long-standing financial analysts, we can show you how to conduct a financial health check for your business, which operational metrics (KPIs) you should monitor most closely and how to boost the productivity of both your executives and your rank and file staff.

How do I get started working with you as my small business advisor?

To begin with, we invite you to have a free, no obligation call with us. You can book your call directly here at a time that is convenient for you. The aim of the call, which usually lasts for an hour, is to help you decide whether our approach and our expertise are a good match to your values and to the ambitions you have for your business. If you decide you'd like to take things further, we can then start designing a tailored plan to deliver your specific goals. 

Can you assist with legal and regulatory compliance for my business?

We can make you aware of best practice in some areas, such as how to comply with GDPR, but we are not lawyers. For detailed guidance on legal and regulatory matters, we recommend you consult a law firm with relevant expertise.

How can you help with employee management and HR issues?

We provide expert advice related to improving staff productivity. For employment-related legal matters, we recommend you consult a law firm with relevant expertise.

Do you offer assistance with securing financing or investment for my business?

We do not assist companies in raising finance but we can recommend specialists from our network who have expertise in this field.

Can you help with business expansion or scaling strategies?

As strategy advisors, we can guide you on how to incorporate rapid growth into your business strategy. 

Do you provide support with exit planning or selling a business?

A key aspect of growing a small business successfully is to gradually reduce and eventually eliminate the dependence of the business on the founder. Completing this transition is a usually a prerequisite if a founder is to make a successful exit. We can help you design and implement a plan to achieve this.

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We do not help business owners or managers find buyers for their businesses but we can recommend business brokers from our network who specialise in doing so.

How often should I meet with a small business advisor for optimal results?

This will depend on your specific needs. Some clients simply need advice to tackle a one-off opportunity or problem. Others benefit from regular catch-ups. We would need to understand your particular circumstances before making a recommendation.

How long does it typically take to see results from working with a small business advisor?

Again, this will depend on the unique circumstances of your business. Some companies have the potential to generate quick, easy wins. Others may be contemplating projects with a longer pay back period.

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In any event, we take care to understand the time horizon and risk tolerance of our clients and tailor our advice accordingly.

How can I evaluate the effectiveness of a small business advisor's services for my business?

Each project would have pre-agreed, defined objectives and success would be measured against achievement of those goals within the planned timeframe.

Do you offer discounted or zero fees to charities?

Like a commercial business, a not-for-profit needs a clear strategy for delivering on its purpose and should operate with maximum efficiency in pursuit of its goals.  We consider requests to do pro bono work for charities but our small size means that we can only take on such work occasionally. A key decision factor is whether the cause strong resonates with us.

What does working with you involve?

Generally, we meet with clients via video calls (for the sake of efficiency). However, for those who are London-based, we can meet in person if it's mutually convenient.