Robust cases from the ground up

Building a robust model

Models with many variables and with different scenarios can quickly become very complex. If you’ve ever evaluated a model created by someone else, you know what we mean. Errors and wrong assumptions will skew interpretations and outcomes. The more complicated the model, the greater the need to handle it carefully.

To ensure the model’s integrity, several factors come into play:

  • Ensuring ease of verification, not only for oneself but also for others.
  • Facilitating interpretation through clear presentation, such as employing transparent tables and graphs.
  • Securing against inadvertent alterations of formulas or data.
  • Incorporating built-in checks to uphold reliability.
  • Offering a comprehensive overview, complete with indices for effective analysis.

Thoroughly assessing a model demands both meticulous attention to detail—scrutinizing all data and formulas—and a broader perspective to evaluate its efficacy and outcomes.

Lack the time to construct a robust business case from the ground up?

Do you need deeper insights into your data to create a more compelling case?

The data is there, but you're unsure about transforming it into a robust case?

How we can help

We offer versatile assistance tailored to your needs:

  • Craft a comprehensive business case from the ground up.
  • Analyze your data and convey key insights with informative graphs.
  • Enhance existing business cases in Excel.
  • Provide feedback and valuable tips for refining your case.
  • Manage specific tasks to alleviate time constraints.

Our primary expertise revolves around crafting solid business cases and presenting them compellingly. While we excel in analyzing business cases, it’s important to note that we are not pure and specialized data analysts. Our focus is on fortifying your case and identifying weaknesses.

However, our ultimate goal is to transform it into engaging presentations, develop impactful slide decks, and produce comprehensive reports based on our findings.

Some of the things we do

You provide the data, we do the modelling and analysis

Business models

We can assist in building your business case from the ground up. While, you possess an in-depth understanding of your business and likely have lots of data, we take care of all the modeling.

Graphs

If you have specific queries or require particular insights, the right graphs can provide a deeper understanding. Allow us to assist by selecting and creating those graphs for you.

Analyses

We can provide a range of analyses for you, spanning from basic financial indices to sensitivity analyses and project cash flow analyses and valuation analyses.

Sanity check

We can verify the accuracy of your models and assist in comprehending any unexpected outcomes. Also, our wealth of experience allows us to provide a holistic overview of your case.

How we typically approach a project

In our typical project approach, we follow a structured four-step process to ensure clarity and alignment with your goals.

  1. The initial stage entails an intake session, ideally conducted in person for more extensive projects, aimed at thoroughly grasping the case and addressing your requirements.

  2. Subsequently, we present an initial framework of the case (not yet validated or analyzed) to verify its alignment with your objectives.

  3. The third phase involves constructing the models, incorporating all analyses for your evaluation, fostering collaborative refinement.

  4. Finally, we deliver the finalized product, ensuring it adheres to your specifications and meets your expectations.

The complexity and scale of your case may necessitate more intensive reviews of specific components, leading to more communication, extra time for review and collaboration.

3D Visual graphs globe line chart business
3D Visual graphs

Pricing

Our pricing model is designed to offer flexibility and transparency, ensuring that clients receive value for their investment. We typically work in two ways:

  • Charge a competitive hourly rate for our services, allowing clients to pay for the exact amount of time and expertise they require.

  • However, upon request, we are more than happy to provide a fixed fee quote for larger projects or those requiring a more structured approach.

The total cost depends on the particular service requested, alongside variables like project complexity and data/model volume. For instance, a brief review of existing cases might require only a few hours, whereas developing a comprehensive case from scratch could take several weeks.

We recognize the criticality of providing dependable cases, considering they may inform significant high-stakes decisions. Investing in our services translates to investing in more dependable cases, thus facilitating better decisions.

Frequently asked questions

Currently, our consultancy and training services are exclusively available in the Netherlands. However, we are open to conducting online consultations for quick reviews with clients from EU countries, provided that English or Dutch is the language of communication. Additionally, we freely share our insights online in English for everyone to access and explore.

We work with PowerPoint and Excel for Windows. However, we can also accommodate clients who use Google Slides and Apple Keynote, although some reformatting may be necessary. It’s important to note that Google Slides only accepts fonts from the Google library, even if the font is saved within the PowerPoint file. Therefore, files from these programs need to be exported as PowerPoint files for us to work with effectively. For clients using macOS, we can seamlessly work with PowerPoint files without any issues.

Additionally, we utilize Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop in our design process. While it’s not necessary for clients to own or have access to this software, we ensure compatibility by exporting files in formats that you can easily work with, such as SVG, PNG, PDF, and JPEG. Our goal is to provide flexibility and convenience while ensuring the highest quality results for our clients.

We recognize that projects of high stakes, which often require the expertise of an external consultant, are typically of a highly confidential and sensitive nature. Rest assured, any data and information you provide to us remain strictly yours. Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring the protection of your intellectual property. To formalize this commitment, we are willing to sign a transfer of author’s rights for the specific work we undertake on your behalf. Additionally, we are open to signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to provide you with added assurance. We can supply you with a model agreement for your convenience. It’s important to note that we will not disclose our working relationship with you or utilize any of the materials, including slides, as examples or for training purposes without obtaining your prior written consent. Your trust and confidentiality are paramount to us, and we take every measure to uphold them throughout our collaboration.

We understand the apprehension that comes with entrusting a consultant who may lack a deep understanding of your industry. When tasked with building an entire deck from rough ideas, our first priority is gaining a thorough understanding of the context. While each business may have unique technical details, we often find similarities in the social and economic circumstances they face, which we are well-versed in navigating. However, particularly when serving as a sounding board or offering a quick review, we believe a fresh perspective can be immensely beneficial. Presenting cases to executive or non-executive boards can sometimes lead to unexpected questions, ones that may not have been considered due to being deeply entrenched in the details. An external consultant can offer a broader viewpoint, helping you see the bigger picture and potentially avoiding embarrassing situations.

Outsourcing presentation building tasks offers distinct advantages over relying solely on in-house resources. Crafting an exceptional business presentation demands a diverse skill set, ranging from data analysis in Excel to proficiency in visual design, among others. While your company’s marketing and communication department may possess the skills to enhance slides aesthetically, they may lack the expertise needed to create the necessary graphs and visuals that truly support your data.

Even if individuals with the required skill set are available in-house, they often find themselves inundated with other responsibilities. Moreover, assigning presentation building as a side task can lead to compromised quality, as creating an outstanding presentation typically requires more hours than initially anticipated. By outsourcing these tasks, you ensure dedicated expertise and focus, resulting in high-quality presentations that effectively convey your message and engage your audience.

While utilizing a business consultant’s template may appear to be a convenient and cost-effective solution, it’s essential to consider the nuances of your company’s existing templates and brand guidelines. While your company likely already has templates aligned with its brand, they may not always be suitable for the specific task at hand. However, adhering to these guidelines can enhance the acceptance and relevance of the content, as it aligns seamlessly with the company’s established identity.

Although templates can provide a helpful starting point, they are just that—a starting point. The real challenge lies in transforming the template into a coherent narrative that effectively communicates your message. This process entails more than simply filling in blank titles and body text; it requires a diverse skill set to craft a compelling story, complete with visually engaging graphs and visuals that support your narrative.

We understand that outsourcing, whether in part or in full, can introduce a level of uncertainty, particularly when it involves critical presentations or business cases. It’s essential to address these concerns upfront by discussing expectations thoroughly before commencing any work. Additionally, we prioritize open communication and encourage dialogue around preliminary concepts to ensure alignment with your vision and objectives. Should adjustments be necessary along the way, we are flexible and committed to redirecting efforts as needed to meet or exceed your expectations.

We also recognize the common challenge of time constraints and the pressure to deliver results promptly. This may sometimes require us to work outside of standard office hours to ensure timely completion. Having experienced similar pressures ourselves, we empathize with this situation and are dedicated to accommodating your needs to the best of our abilities. Ultimately, our primary goal is to consistently meet and exceed your expectations, delivering results that drive success for your business.

everyone recognizes ‘rubbish in rubbish out’, but

a flawed model surely generates rubbish no matter what you put in

(have seen this too many times)