Approach
How an engagement works.
No open-ended retainers and no surprises. You agree the question, the deliverable, the timeline and the fee in writing before we start, and you know at every point where the work stands.
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01
A first conversation
You tell us what you are deciding and why it matters now. We ask questions, tell you honestly whether we are the right people for it, and suggest someone else if we are not.
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02
A written proposal
A short document setting out the question, how we will answer it, what you will receive, the timeline and the fee. Nothing starts until you have agreed it.
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03
The work
We gather and test the evidence. You get a short update every week, so there is never a long silence followed by a surprise.
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04
The answer
A written report, led by its conclusions, and a working session with your team to test it. Every source is listed so the work can be checked and reused.
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05
What comes next
Some clients take the answer and run. Others ask us to help put it into practice, or to build it with them as a venture. Both are fine.
Ways to engage
Three formats.
Defined project
One question, one deliverable, a fixed timeline and fee. The most common way to start.
Ongoing advisory
A standing arrangement for teams who want an outside view on decisions as they come up, reviewed and renewed on agreed dates.
Venture partnership
For building something new together. Roles, contributions and terms are agreed in writing at the start.
Questions
Before you get in touch.
How is work priced?
Each engagement is priced against its written scope, agreed before work starts. If the scope needs to change along the way, we agree that in writing too.
Will you keep what we share confidential?
Yes. We sign a confidentiality agreement on request, we do not share your information with anyone outside the engagement, and we never name a client publicly without permission.
Do you publish your research?
Research a client commissions belongs to that client. Research we start ourselves may be published or used in our own ventures.
Do you give legal, tax or investment advice?
No. Where a question needs a lawyer, an accountant or a licensed adviser, we say so and work alongside the professionals you choose.
What if you are not the right fit?
We will tell you in the first conversation, and point you elsewhere if we can.
Start a conversation
Have a question worth answering properly?
Tell us what you are weighing. We reply by email, usually with a few questions of our own.