Five steps from first call to measurable results
We designed this process after completing over 140 engagements. It gives structure without being rigid. If your situation is unusual, we adapt. But the core sequence stays the same because it works.
Free initial call (30 minutes)
You tell us what is going on in your business. We ask questions. By the end of the call we will tell you honestly whether we think we can help and roughly what it would cost. There is no obligation and no follow-up sales pressure. About half of the people who call us become clients. The other half either do not need external help or need a specialist we are not.
To book this call, fill in the contact form or phone +44 7152 938427. We typically schedule calls within two working days of your enquiry.
Diagnostic (1 to 3 weeks)
If we agree to work together, the first paid phase is a diagnostic. We spend time on-site at your business, review your financial data, interview key staff and observe operations. The length depends on the complexity of your business: a 10-person service firm might need five days, while a 60-person manufacturer with multiple sites could take two to three weeks.
At the end of the diagnostic we produce a short written report (usually 8 to 12 pages, not 60) that identifies the root causes of the problems you described on the initial call, quantifies the financial impact where possible, and proposes specific actions. We present this to you in person and answer every question before moving on.
The diagnostic fee is quoted before we start and is included in the overall project fee if you proceed. If you decide not to continue, you keep the report and owe nothing more.
Action plan and engagement letter
Once you have reviewed the diagnostic findings, we build a detailed action plan. This document lists every task, who is responsible, the deadline, and how we will measure success. It also includes the total fixed fee for the implementation phase, the payment schedule, and confidentiality terms.
Both parties sign the engagement letter before any implementation work begins. We have never started work without a signed letter, and we never will. Clarity at this stage prevents disagreements later.
Implementation (4 to 16 weeks)
This is where most consulting firms disappear. We do not. During implementation we work alongside your team to execute the action plan. That might mean sitting with your finance manager to rebuild the cash-flow model, running workshops with your sales team to roll out new pricing, or helping you restructure supplier contracts.
We hold a short progress meeting every week, usually 30 minutes, where we review what has been done, flag anything that is off track, and agree on the next week's priorities. If a task is taking longer than expected, we tell you immediately and propose an adjusted timeline. No surprises.
The duration depends on the scope. A focused pricing project might take four to six weeks. A full operational restructuring with staff changes and process redesign could run 12 to 16 weeks. We set the timeline in the engagement letter so you know what to expect.
Review and handover
At the end of the engagement we measure the results against the targets set in the action plan. We write a final summary that documents what changed, what the financial impact has been so far, and what your team should continue doing after we leave.
We also schedule a follow-up call 90 days after the project ends. This is included in the fee. The purpose is to check that the changes have stuck and to troubleshoot anything that has drifted. About 30% of our clients ask us to come back for a second project after this call, usually in a different area of the business.
How we compare to a typical consulting engagement
We are not the right fit for every company. Large multinationals with complex global operations need a firm with hundreds of consultants. But for owner-managed businesses turning over £1m to £20m, the table below shows why our approach tends to deliver better results for less money.
| Aspect | Typical large firm | Astute Biz Advisors |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Junior analysts, supervised remotely by a partner | Senior consultants with 15+ years of operating experience |
| Pricing | Hourly or daily rates, open-ended scope | Fixed fee agreed before work starts |
| Deliverable | Long strategy document | Short diagnostic report plus hands-on implementation |
| Implementation support | Often sold as a separate phase at additional cost | Included in the project fee |
| Post-project follow-up | Rarely included | 90-day follow-up call included at no extra cost |
| Typical engagement length | 3 to 12 months | 5 to 20 weeks including diagnostic |
Questions we hear often
It depends on the scope. A focused diagnostic-only project for a small business typically costs between £3,000 and £6,000. A full diagnostic-plus-implementation engagement for a mid-sized company usually falls in the £8,000 to £25,000 range. We quote a fixed price after the initial call, so you know the total cost before committing.
Yes. About 40% of our clients are based in England, Scotland or Wales. We travel to your premises for the diagnostic and key implementation milestones. Weekly progress meetings happen by video call to keep travel costs down.
Most of our experience is in manufacturing, distribution, professional services, retail and construction. We have also worked with hospitality businesses, technology companies and healthcare providers. If your industry is outside our experience, we will tell you on the initial call rather than take your money and learn on the job.
We set measurable targets in the action plan. If we are not on track during implementation, we adjust the approach. We have never had a client feel that the engagement was a waste of money, but we acknowledge that external factors can affect outcomes. Our 90-day follow-up call is designed to catch and correct any slippage after we leave.
Absolutely. Some clients want an independent assessment without committing to a full implementation project. The diagnostic report is yours to keep and act on internally. About 20% of our clients choose this option.
Ready to start? Book your free call