Soundingboard Africa
Business consultancy
A fresh perspective on key issues
A fresh perspective on key issues
Thinking about the future is key. The problems and pressures of running an organisation can result in future planning and strategy taking a back seat.
Whether it’s the breakthrough idea to take your business or organisation to the “next level” or simply aiming to improve effectiveness and efficiency, taking a fresh look makes sense.
Good ideas and knowing where to look for them can often make a big impact. To achieve success, one first needs to visualise what that success might look like.
You know your business and are managing it and guiding it, so what I don’t do is to tell you how to run it or offer any detailed plan of action or “packaged solution.” The approach is to listen to you, to offer you a sounding board and work with you on future direction.
All discussions and correspondence are completely confidential.
We can explore the key issues – finding the ones we believe can most improve the functioning of your business or organisation. As an outsider I have an open agenda bringing more than five decades of business experience in a wide variety of industries, businesses and organisations from very large to very small including aspects like :
Management training | Motivating staff | Sales and marketing | Customer research | Management accounts | Costing and pricing (products and projects) | Finance | Cashflow management | Negotiating | Operational efficiency
Sounding Board as a practice grew out of consulting, mentoring and training in recent years including a course called a “Mini MBA.” Although semi-retired I’ve always enjoyed the “business of business”. I operate on my own drawing on a network of specialists developed over the years. I prefer face to face client meetings. Making money is not a high priority for me and the first meeting/s to gather information are free of charge. After that we can agree on a fee.
As important as what I do, is what I don’t do including the following:
The first meeting or meetings are free of charge. Follow up meetings, where we start to explore specific issues are typically agreed and charged at R500 hour plus net out of pocket eg travel expenses where applicable. (This is low by industry standards).
All discussions are confidential. Involving any outsiders, should this become necessary, will only proceed with your full knowledge and authority.
The approach is to try to gather the facts, explore with you the background and to provide a fresh perspective. There will be no long and detailed reports or “to do” lists, rather an outline of key issues.
Any fees we earn are fully disclosed. Likewise, any potential conflicts of interest.