Strategy Review & Execution

Most (70%) major professional practices now have a strategy. The trouble is that only 20% of them claim to implement their strategy successfully, according to recent research. The major challenge for all firms is effective execution in the face of intensifying competition.

Strategic impetus and professional service firms are not always synonymous. There is a world of difference between devising a set of strategic objectives and implementing them effectively. Inertia is the most common problem and there can be a number of reasons for this, but one of them, in our experience, is apathy (you might even say complacency). In short, people often have a sense that there is a lack of strategic relevance to them as individuals and this discourages involvement and commitment on their part. This leads to stagnant business plans and missed opportunities.

Even where there isn’t apathy, the other barrier to successful strategy implementation is a lack of individual and collective responsibility for action. When we work with clients, we do not allow them to settle merely for strategic “buy-in” when there may be no accountability for action; non-execution simply isn’t an option. Our aim is to work closely with clients to turn strategy into action and action into results. We do this by helping to create practical, relevant, realistic plans and by bringing them to life and making them count. Only with full accountability internally, however, can we ensure that long-term, sustainable value is added and success achieved.

Delivery is all that matters

First Counsel Consulting Limited offers you something different: we provide good old-fashioned help and advice – anchored in reality, delivery and the pursuit of long-term results. The business is led by Simon Slater. Well known in the market, Simon has a wealth of experience to help you overcome strategic and operational problems and sustain the success of your business. Having served on the boards of major firms for more than a decade, few are better placed to understand the issues you face.

Our style is uncompromising. We use the sheer depth of our understanding of working inside professional practices to bring you real insight and critical objectivity. Don’t come to us if you are not ready to face yourself or to challenge the status quo. We work with firms who want to break the mould and release themselves from the condition we call strategic drift.

Strategic drift avoidance

Ours is no conventional advisory business. We do not adhere to the tired approaches adopted by so many other consultancies. We do not devote 90% of our time to that part of the work that is worth just 10% (strategy design). No, we focus on helping you with the 90% of “strategy” that really matters: delivery. Getting things done.

We provide practical support to managing partners, CEOs and their teams to engage their people in action, to build momentum and to keep their strategies on track.

With a nod to that famous Scot, Bill Shankley, strategic planning may be critical to success, but execution is a matter of life and death!

To find out more about our advisory services please contact Simon Slater 020 7332 6336 simon.slater@first-counsel.co.uk.

First Counsel. Wise counsel