Comparison guide

Business Consulting: which advisory model actually fits your company?

Most firms hire consultants the same way they always have: pick a big name, sign a retainer, hope for the best. We built True North Consults around a different idea. Before any engagement starts, you should be able to compare what you are buying, how it works, and what it costs per outcome. This page walks you through that comparison so you can decide with your eyes open.

Two sets of consulting proposals compared side by side on a conference table
"We compared three consultancies using True North's framework. Saved us about fourteen weeks of back-and-forth."D. Hartley, COO, Pennine Logistics
"The comparison table alone changed how our board evaluates external advisors."R. Okafor, Finance Director, Bridgeway Group

Side-by-side: three engagement models we offer

Every project at True North Consults starts with a model selection conversation. Below is the comparison table we share with prospective clients so they can weigh trade-offs before the first invoice.

Dimension Sprint advisory Embedded partnership On-call retainer
Duration4 to 8 weeks, fixed scope3 to 12 months, rolling scopeOngoing, billed monthly
Team accessOne lead consultant, one analystTwo consultants sit with your team two days per weekNamed advisor available within 24 hours
Best forA single decision: market entry, restructure, pricing overhaulMulti-quarter transformation or post-acquisition integrationFirms that need periodic expert input without a full project
Typical deliverableDecision memo with financial model and implementation checklistMonthly progress reports, live dashboards, facilitated workshopsAd-hoc memos, board-ready slide packs, review calls
Pricing structureFixed fee agreed before work beginsMonthly rate with quarterly reviewMonthly retainer with a cap on hours; overage billed at day rate
Exit clauseDeliverable-based: engagement ends when the memo is accepted60-day notice from either side30-day notice, no penalty
Client involvementKick-off workshop plus two check-insWeekly steering meeting, shared Slack channelYou set the pace; we respond

What each model looks like in practice

Sprint advisory: Pennine Logistics

Pennine needed to decide whether to open a Leeds depot or expand their Manchester hub. We ran a six-week sprint: two weeks of data gathering, two weeks of financial modelling, one week of scenario testing, one week writing the decision memo. The board chose Manchester expansion and broke ground within three months. Total consulting cost was less than one month of the embedded model would have been.

Embedded partnership: Bridgeway Group

After acquiring a competitor, Bridgeway's finance team was stretched. Two of our consultants joined their Manchester office every Tuesday and Thursday for nine months. We unified reporting systems, trained twelve staff on the new ERP, and reduced month-end close from eighteen days to seven. The rolling scope let us pivot when unexpected regulatory changes hit in month four.

Decision board: pick your starting point

Answer these three questions honestly. The combination points you toward one of our models. No quiz gimmick here, just the logic our intake team uses internally.

1. Is the problem bounded?

Can you describe the decision in a single sentence? "Should we enter market X?" or "How do we restructure the sales team?" If yes, a sprint advisory is likely enough. If the problem keeps branching, you probably need an embedded partner who can adapt week to week.

2. Do you have internal capacity?

A sprint produces a recommendation. Someone on your side still has to implement it. If your team is already at capacity, the embedded model gives you extra hands during the change. If capacity is fine but expertise is missing, the retainer fills gaps on demand.

3. What is the budget horizon?

Sprints are capital-expense-style: one payment, one output. Embedded and retainer models are operating expenses: monthly outflows. Some boards prefer one over the other for accounting reasons alone. We can structure either way, but knowing your preference early saves negotiation time.

What clients say when comparing us to alternatives

"We interviewed four firms. True North was the only one that showed us a comparison of their own models and said the cheapest option might be the right one."K. Moss, MD, Ashton Precision Engineering
"The retainer has paid for itself three times over. Last month I called at 8 a.m. with a board question and had a two-page brief by noon."T. Anwar, Head of Strategy, Salford Health Group

Common questions before choosing a model

Can I switch models mid-engagement?
Yes. About a third of our sprint clients upgrade to an embedded or retainer arrangement once they see how we work. We pro-rate the transition month so you are never double-billed.
Do you work with firms outside Manchester?
We do. Our office is at 17 Haag Drove, Manchester M1 5AN, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom, but embedded consultants travel to client sites across the North West, and retainer work is largely remote. Sprint projects can be fully remote if the data is accessible digitally.
What industries do you cover?
Manufacturing, logistics, professional services, healthcare administration, and mid-market retail make up most of our portfolio. We have declined engagements in sectors where we lack domain depth, because a consultant who does not understand your cost drivers wastes your money.
How do you measure success?
Each engagement starts with a written success definition. For sprints, it is usually a board-accepted recommendation. For embedded work, we track agreed KPIs monthly: cost reduction, cycle-time improvement, revenue per head, or whatever the steering committee chose. Retainer success is measured by utilisation rate and a quarterly satisfaction review.

Our working principles

These are not values we put on a poster. They are rules that govern how we scope, price, and deliver work.

  • We quote a price before we start. If scope creep is our fault, we absorb the cost.
  • Every recommendation includes a "do nothing" scenario so you can see the real cost of inaction, not just the appeal of action.
  • We will tell you if we are not the right fit. Twice last year we referred prospects to specialists who could serve them better.
  • All project files belong to you. We keep no proprietary lock on models, templates, or data we produce during an engagement.
Notebook and pen on a walnut desk representing clear consulting principles

Fit check: is True North Consults right for you?

We work best with companies that meet most of these conditions. If only one or two apply, we can still talk, but the conversation will be shorter and more honest.

Good fit signals

  • Revenue between £2m and £80m
  • A specific decision or change on the table
  • An internal sponsor who can act on recommendations
  • Willingness to share financial data under NDA

Likely not a fit

  • Looking for a slide deck to impress investors without changing operations
  • Need a full-time interim executive rather than advisory
  • Budget under £5k, which cannot cover meaningful analysis

Start a conversation

Tell us which model interests you, or describe the problem and we will suggest one. Most initial calls last about twenty minutes.

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