Of my clients, no two businesses have exactly the same needs. As you’d expect, my services are tailored to each client’s situation and priority. To give you a picture, though, I’ve listed below a range that should give you a good understanding.

Which of these are needed in your business?

Monthly Performance Reviews

Most clients do want this – an objective, experienced view of how the month went.

What is it?

An analysis of the accounts for the month, summarised in a brief report, and discussed with the owner or senior team. It’s the discussion that makes the difference – that’s where you’ll decide what to do next, and where you need to focus.

Why have it?

So you know – really know – how your business is doing. You’ll have your targets for revenue, profit, cash collection etc. (see below) – but having the results analysed gives you the control so you don’t worry.

Also, to provide the bank with information they need, in their language, to ensure they stay with you, understand where you’re at, and where you’re heading. Acting as your FD I will save you time with the bank, if it helps you.

What’s in it?

It depends entirely on your business and your objectives, but it will cover some or all of the following:

- cashflow review:
how long to collect, spend and invest your cash
- profitability review:
where you’re giving it away, how to increase it

- sales dynamics:
3 key questions that determine your sales strategy

- pricing review:
market & competitive sensitivity, , how to price to your advantage

- sales & marketing effectiveness:
the analysis shows you how wisely you’re spending to meet your own objectives

- organisational review :
how it supports your sales, fulfilment and cash objectives

- funding review:
cost and alternative sources of cash in your business

- fulfilment review:
financial dynamics of delivering to your customer – how you can improve effectiveness and efficiency

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Business Planning Support

If you want to survive and grow your business, of course you have to have a business plan. If you don’t, you’ll be pulled in all directions by the urgent priority of the day. You won’t be focused on the priority that will make the difference to your future.

Clients who have not had a business plan have found this service not only vital, but also re-vitalising. When the plan is written down, and financial targets, objectives and key measures are defined, my clients have felt a sense of purpose, energy and optimism.

What is it?

The output is a document that becomes the yardstick for measuring successful performance throughout the year.

The input is where the value really comes. It is a method of thinking about the whole business, understanding how it operates, deciding what the targets should be, the planning how to meet those targets.

Why have it?

Because it is the only way you will get funding, if you need that. But more significantly, because with it, you will have control and purpose. It is the core way to remove your money worries and achieve the success you want.

What’s in it?

Again, it depends on the business and the client’s objectives, but it will contain some or all of the following:

- Definition of the business –

Not just what it does, but why that is different from anyone else, and why it can justify the pricing position it adopts

- Market review –

Where the opportunities are that will make the difference to the successful achievement of this plan.

- Definition of target market –

If you’re a bit woolly on who your customers should be – and why – you know you’ll struggle to attract the right ones.

- Marketing & sales approach –

Are your current activities getting great results? Are they focusing on your target customers? How will you improve the results from these activities? This is your chance to think through and decide what will be better this year – and what impact that will make.

- Financial Forecasts –

P&L account, balance sheet, cash-flow forecasts with associated analysis and commentary. This gives the clarity, credibility and motivation to turn it into reality.

- Sensitivity analysis –

An important one for lenders! What will happen if the financial targets are not met? Which targets are most significant to the ongoing business? Armed with this information, you’ll be highly focused where it really matters.

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Business Strategy Development

Some clients are looking to grow significantly. Obviously, this doesn’t happen by accident. But it’s also difficult to develop a robust strategy if you’re too close to your business and industry.

This part of the Corewell service is to facilitate (I’m a trained facilitator) you and your team to develop your business strategy. This will drive your whole business to deliver the results you want.

What is it?

It turns into the Business Plan, but the Strategy Development is more “bigger picture” than that. The Strategy sets out the vision of where the business will be in 3 or 5 or 10 years time.

Why have it?

Because it will provide you with the blueprint to what you want to get from the business. Without it you’ll probably keep working day-to-day.

What’s in it?

The answers to many many questions! And those answers, decided by the senior people (or just the owner) will determine the fate of the business.

- What will the business be doing?
- How big will it be?
- How many people will it employ?
- Will the premises need to change?
- What other significant investments are likely to be needed?
- What skills and experience are needed within the business?
- What will the financials look like?
- Will it be sold? How? For how much? When?

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Other Services

The services above describe the core services that most clients want from their Freelance Finance Director. As well as these, I offer the following:

Coach / Mentor

Working with the owner or a senior manager I provide one-to-one business coaching & mentoring.

Projects

Where clients are seeking specific funding, or considering taking on a commercial project or investment I provide the financial analysis, insight and advice to support those decisions.

Training

Some clients have recognised a lack of commercial understanding in their staff. I offer in-house training to staff, from one-to-one through to workshop groups to support the commercial development of your staff and business.

You can now see the services available. What next? Two choices:

Read about what clients are saying – see our testimonials.

OR ... click here to contact us.