Consultancy Blogs

We have all seen this, a programme that has a full calendar of governance in place and still misses its most important decisions, deliverables, milestones and outcomes.

Reports are produced. Risks are logged. Steering groups meet. Yet the trade-offs that determine whether the programme succeeds remain unresolved.

In my experience, good governance depends on two things that are easy to overlook when designing structures and reporting cycles. The content being discussed, and the attention people give it.

Are we putting the right information in front of the right people? And are they examining it closely enough to make informed decisions?

The Association for Project Management describes governance in terms of authority and accountability for project outputs, outcomes and benefits. It also emphasises clear responsibilities, delegated authority and effective escalation routes. These are practical foundations for getting work delivered.

The challenge is making those foundations work in practice. Read More

In business transformation, there is always pressure to move faster.

Leaders want results. Sponsors want visible progress. Teams are working to demanding deadlines, and nobody wants to be responsible for slowing down a strategically important programme.

Speed matters. But there is a significant difference between moving at pace and rushing. Read More

In October I wrote A word to the Treasury Wise, highlighting the growing cost burden of ever-increasing tax and regulation, effectively making the UK economy less competitive.

So let’s look at this over half a year on, from three perspectives: the point of view of professionals in economics, the point of view of you and me, the average Briton, and what the data is actually saying. Read More

How well-meaning strategies can sink businesses

In business, we often celebrate metrics such as brand awareness, market share, growth curves, valuations, shareholder confidence and profitability. These are the headlines leaders want to hit, the KPIs that make boards comfortable and investors optimistic. And while these indicators matter, they are not the true north of leadership.

The primary responsibility of any business leader is sustainability. Read More

More tax, less to spend

Rumours are circulating that the UK Government is planning further tax rises, despite warnings from economists and business leaders such as Tesco boss Ken Murphy (see BBC News – Tesco boss warns Reeves against further business taxes). Some have even called them “tax raids”, reflecting growing concern on the ground. Read More

The other day, I witnessed something so small and simple that it barely registered at the time, but on reflection, it offered a timely reminder of the power of leading by example.

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A while back we wrote about business readiness ahead of a major go-live. This included looking at things cross-functionally, contingency planning with stress testing, proving trials and early smaller go-lives, business continuity planning, training, communication, and Go/No Go Checklists and governance.

Given the uncertain times we are facing and continued technology advancement at pace with automation and AI, the pace and magnitude of change to many businesses may well exceed what we have experienced do far.

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Business confidence is a fragile commodity, easily shaken by political, financial, and market instability. In the UK, a combination of domestic and international pressures is testing the resolve of companies across all sectors. With elections, fiscal uncertainty, and international competition, businesses have been left wondering how to proceed amidst growing risks.

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The quest to improve profitability, reduce cost and prioritise spend in business often feels like walking a tightrope. If we take the project world, on one end, there is the allure of expensive consultancy, promising comfort, and expertise. While on the other, the temptation to manage changes internally to save costs looms large. But how do we find equilibrium in this balancing act? Let us delve into this conundrum through a series of questions that every business should ponder.

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