Value Proposition

Consulting is changing, you need better:
Thinking | Organising | Solving | Results

We look at things…
differently…

Differently in terms of how we operate, what we care about and the principles that define us. Our approach delivers measurable results and builds lasting change.

Change manifests itself in many ways. Through shocks (e.g. a failure of some kind), a planned event (e.g. new IT system, building new capability) or iteratively over time (e.g. continuous improvement). Often the subject of the change is only part of the issue. Much better advisory looks across the enterprise and considers all potential contributors through its Operating Model thinking.

Thinking

Approaching a problem takes many perspectives. We’re not fans of leaping to an answer – tempting as it is. We ask:

  • What is the question we are trying to answer?
  • What needs to be true to get to that answer?
  • What will be the expected result?
  • How do we know – what data, evidence backs up the above – can we validate it?
  • Who, where and what might have that data?

This is how much better starts.

See Better Thinking.

Organising

You can ignore principles, rules, frameworks and methods, but ignore your organisation at your peril. We are not going to preach about leadership or the basics of Lencioni’s acclaimed pyramid model (See here), but a good leader does not have all the answers and needs the whole organisation to help solve the big problems. Much Better knows this, good leaders live this, we look practice this.

Much Better organisations are about:

Playing to strengths

Understanding your people and their capability/attributes, regardless of hierarchy enables you to position them to support change. It also helps you identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Respecting others

Everyone has a role to play. No single person has all the answers. Those closest to your customers are key to protecting your value. We never assume someone’s capability by their appearance or hierarchy.

Building trust

Sustainable and meaningful results come from relationships built on a sense of mutual opportunities.

We believe, trust is directly proportional to the end result.

Working with your Organisation

Each organisation brings its own culture. In our experience there are some fundamental ways of engaging that are true for all.

Opposite number

We work best when we work at all levels and have an opposite number who represents an area/level of the business.

Collaboration

Meetings should not be a waste of time. Coffee chats build relationships. Workshops create alignment. We understand the power of people dynamics to drive better solutions and create a delivery coalition.

Different is better

Are you getting push back? Are people resisting the changes? Chances are you think great minds think alike, however better results think differently. We look for different. Often resistance is for a reason. We find it.

Solving

Words like: “Solutioneering” , “Value-driven” , “Outcome focussed” , “Xxxxx as a solution” , “Uplift” , “TenX scale” … all make consultancy sound like inaccessible gobble-dee-gook. We unpack that meaning into plain english, with measurable benefits and agreed results.

Much Better solving is about:

Definitions

If we can’t define the problem how can we develop a solution? We work with you to develop an agreed understanding of the problem and its root cause.
We align terminology. We are clear on the result we are looking for in terms of performance both financial and operational.

Not jumping to templates

Some fixes are obvious. A loose nut probably needs tightening. A coding error probably needs debugging. Other fixes are more complex and deserve a different approach. We have lots of methods, templates and fixes, but we anticipate it will require a blend of these + deep analysis to get to a solution.

Testing and validating

Its easy to warm to our solution. I seem to tick all the boxes but will it work? Much better solutions are piloted and tested in a safe environment before being fully deployed. Niggles are addressed and benefits are checked.

Results

Much Better delivery comes from better results, here’s what we mean:

Defined benefits

Well defined problems/solutions lead to well defined benefits. These can qualitative or quantitative but must be measurable, time bound and on a plan. More than ten is probably too many and will get lost.

Tracked and Communicated

Delivering results is not just about benefits, it’s about building confidence across the business. By tracking (using smart tools we have developed), early results can be used to demonstrate progress and build momentum.

Celebrate success

Every step of progress is worth an event. Whether that is a simple “thank you” or a full-on celebration. These events cement progress, grow the change coalition and drive momentum. Change should be fun.