Working with a consultancy is something that often takes some getting used to, especially if you have not done it before. What to expect, how you keep control of your budget, how you get the best out of the relationship and how much coffee will they drink, are just some of the concerns our clients tell us went through their heads when we first met them.
Working with Red Splash
Each client relationship is different; some clients like to participate more in what we are setting out to achieve, others feel their value is in managing the business on a day-to-day basis. Whatever path is chosen we set out to work successfully within it.
At the start of our relationship, we will agree with you the work we are going to deliver at each of the initial stages in the Stepping Stones process. The latter steps will be informed by the earlier ones and we will always agree in advance the overall objectives we are working towards.
The principle we work to is that jointly we agree the scope and price of the work we are about to undertake, then review it when it is done before moving on to the next step. All activities are documented through meeting reports, strategic plans, time plans and actions. These are clearly marked with who is responsible for the completion of each task - it's an approach which keeps things moving forward.
Ensuring that we find a mutually agreeable way of working together is the key to success in our joint enterprise. Through both our own observations and those of our clients we have found that there are a number of important elements to a successful relationship:
- A client must have realistic ambitions to grow their business, product or service
- A joint understanding that nothing of value is cheap and that growth and development come at an appropriate price
- That client budgets need to be managed and strategies and plans have to be developed realistically within them
- We all need to have the courage to share our points of view, to be prepared to fight our corner and between us arrive at a solution or decision that works
- A client should welcome the opportunity to look at their business with a fresh set of eyes and to be open minded and receptive to new thinking
- Regular and frank two way communication
