Our Approach
We work with clients who excite us.
We set out to enable clients rather than create a relationship of dependency.
We recognise that business growth and results are just part of the whole picture. The long game is how you feel about your business (and as a consequence, all the other things you do).
Clients come to us because they feel that something isn’t right, there may be an issue with the business strategy. It is our job to help you feel better about your business (and as a consequence, all the other things).
As you’d expect we have a process, an ology. Things don’t just happen by chance!
Our Process
Step 1: Engage
The start: … getting to know, trust and understand each other. Asking the who, what, why, when, where, and how questions. Getting the right business consultant for you.
Step 2: Healthcheck
So, how good is your business strategy and what is the potential for growth? Now we can put together a proposal e.g. a Strategy Awayday or a Business Development Plan.
Step 3: Develop
The real work always starts with the audit. ‘Where are we now?’ We need the clear facts: performance to date, the product, potential, the market, industry, competitors and customers.
Step 4: Plan
A prioritised shopping list is agreed. Exactly how will the business achieve its goals? Be under no illusions, it will be you and your team that deliver on the new plans.
Step 5: Implement
We will work with you to help you deliver your business strategy and results for business growth.
Step 6: Evaluate
Check all strategic planning goals, initiatives and agreed actions and go back to step 1.
Why This Works
- It makes sure you get solutions that reflect your issues, needs and aspirations.
- Consulting work is rolled out on a phase-by-phase basis so there are no surprises and it means that you are only committed for the current piece of work. We don’t do long contracts that tie in the client
- We recognise that you are the expert in your particular business field but we are the expert business growers. The secret sauce appears when we work together on your business.
The Client’s Story
Engage
“We were anxious about admitting or rather confronting what was wrong in the business. The opening meetings with Robert Craven and The Directors’ Centre consultants certainly established that these people knew what they were talking about – as they say ‘been-there-done-it’ but also able to share and mentor and help.”
“We were anxious about admitting or rather confronting what was wrong in the business. The opening meetings with Robert Craven and The Directors’ Centre consultants certainly established that these people knew what they were talking about – as they say ‘been-there-done-it’ but also able to share and mentor and help.”
Healthcheck
“The healthcheck got us to start to examine just how good we really were. A critical (almost brutal) look at what does and doesn’t work in the business. And why. And what on earth we were going to do about it. The result was a step-by-step proposal that nailed our future journey and how the work with the Directors’ Centre would unfold. Our feelings of uncertainty were being quelled and were turning into a sense of excitement for the future.”
“The healthcheck got us to start to examine just how good we really were. A critical (almost brutal) look at what does and doesn’t work in the business. And why. And what on earth we were going to do about it. The result was a step-by-step proposal that nailed our future journey and how the work with the Directors’ Centre would unfold. Our feelings of uncertainty were being quelled and were turning into a sense of excitement for the future.”
Developing
“Out of the Awayday, we created a three-year plan – one that included the what and why and how of the whole thing. We had a new Boardroom Process and measures and accountability systems to ensure that we would deliver.”
“Out of the Awayday, we created a three-year plan – one that included the what and why and how of the whole thing. We had a new Boardroom Process and measures and accountability systems to ensure that we would deliver.”
Plan
“The proof is in the results. Sales have flat lined but profits have increased (17%). The order book is up on last year (14%), the biggest it has ever been. The current financial year will be the best yet (net profit up 23%). More importantly, myself and my fellow directors feel entirely different about the business – we’ve re-gained our mojo – and we hadn’t even noticed that we’d lost it. Thank you.”
“The proof is in the results. Sales have flat lined but profits have increased (17%). The order book is up on last year (14%), the biggest it has ever been. The current financial year will be the best yet (net profit up 23%). More importantly, myself and my fellow directors feel entirely different about the business – we’ve re-gained our mojo – and we hadn’t even noticed that we’d lost it. Thank you.”
Implement
“18 months in and I can’t say it hasn’t been a bumpy if exciting journey. We have tested some things that have been true successes; others have been real learning curves. However, we have now established ourselves as a leading expert in our field. A new beginning, new fees, fewer small clients, a focus on bigger projects…”
“18 months in and I can’t say it hasn’t been a bumpy if exciting journey. We have tested some things that have been true successes; others have been real learning curves. However, we have now established ourselves as a leading expert in our field. A new beginning, new fees, fewer small clients, a focus on bigger projects…”
Evaluate
“A customer survey, combined with a competitor survey gave us a new understanding of what our customers really wanted and more importantly, what we were competing against. As a result we were able to approach the Strategy Awayday with a real sense of direction and purpose.”
“A customer survey, combined with a competitor survey gave us a new understanding of what our customers really wanted and more importantly, what we were competing against. As a result we were able to approach the Strategy Awayday with a real sense of direction and purpose.”