Most firms know they need outside perspective. The harder question is what kind. A retained strategy partner behaves differently from a project-based consultant, and both differ from a fractional executive who sits inside your leadership team two days a week.
This page is built as a comparison guide. Scroll through the models, weigh the trade-offs, and use the inquiry form at the bottom to tell us where you think you fall. We will confirm or challenge that assessment during a free 30-minute diagnostic call.
The table below captures the five engagement structures we offer and how they differ across the dimensions clients care about most.
| Dimension | Project sprint | Retained advisory | Fractional executive | Diagnostic only | Board-level facilitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical duration | 4–10 weeks | 6–12 months rolling | Ongoing, 1–3 days/week | 2–3 weeks | 1-day or 2-day sessions |
| Depth of access | Defined scope only | Senior leadership | Full operational access | Data and interviews | Board members |
| Deliverable | Report + implementation plan | Ongoing counsel, quarterly reviews | Decisions made in role | Assessment document | Facilitated decisions, minutes |
| Internal team load | Medium | Low | Low | Medium-high | Minimal |
| Pricing structure | Fixed fee | Monthly retainer | Day rate or monthly | Fixed fee | Per session |
| Best for | Defined problems with clear edges | Ongoing strategic uncertainty | Leadership gaps or transitions | Pre-investment or pre-acquisition clarity | Governance alignment |
| Proof of results | 14 completed since 2022 | 9 active retainers | 6 placements in 2024 | 22 diagnostics delivered | 11 boards facilitated |
Investors want clarity on unit economics, competitive moat, and leadership bench. A diagnostic-only engagement produces the materials you need without a long-term commitment. Turnaround is typically 15 working days.
Diagnostic onlyBoard-level facilitation puts a neutral third party in the room. We structure the conversation so that disagreement becomes a decision, not a stalemate. Sessions run from 09:00 to 16:00 with a written action plan by end of day.
Board facilitationA fractional executive fills the seat while you recruit properly. We have placed interim operations leaders in logistics, professional services, and technology companies across Scotland and northern England.
Fractional executiveA project sprint analyses pricing, channel mix, and customer retention. We deliver a written plan with costed recommendations. Typical engagement: six to eight weeks, fixed fee agreed upfront.
Project sprintRetained advisory gives your CEO or MD a confidential thinking partner. Monthly sessions, quarterly reviews, and ad-hoc calls when something urgent arises. No deliverables unless you want them.
Retained advisoryWe cannot name clients publicly without permission, but we can describe the shape of real engagements.
The founder wanted to sell within 18 months but knew margins were too thin to attract a buyer at the right multiple. We ran a diagnostic, then a project sprint focused on route optimisation and contract renegotiation.
Gross margin improved from 11% to 17% over nine months
After losing their VP of Engineering, the board engaged us to place a fractional CTO while recruiting. The interim leader stabilised the product roadmap and reduced sprint overrun from 40% to under 10%.
Permanent CTO hired after five months; handover completed in two weeks
Three siblings co-owned the business and disagreed on expansion. Two facilitated board sessions produced a written shareholder agreement and a phased growth plan that all three signed.
First new location opened on schedule, eight months laterNot every company needs a consultant. Here are the situations where external perspective consistently adds value:
Tell us a little about your situation and we will arrange a 30-minute call within two working days.
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By using this website you agree to the following terms. Content on elevatedconsulting.cyou is provided for general information and does not constitute professional advice. Engagement terms are governed by individual scope agreements signed before work begins. Elevated Consulting accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of website content alone. These terms are governed by the laws of Scotland.
Case scenarios and results described on this website reflect specific client situations and are not guarantees of future performance. All financial figures are approximate and have been shared with client permission. Elevated Consulting is not a regulated financial adviser and does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice.