Your
FAQ

Find fast answers to your most pressing queries with our frequently asked questions (FAQ). If in doubt, feel free to contact us for further information or to discuss solutions. There are no AI chatbots here, just real people to interact with and plain English answers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Your top frequently asked questions (FAQs) answered.

Here are some popular questions and answers that we have assembled to help you find what you need as fast as possible and understand a little bit more about how we work. If in doubt, we would be happy to speak with you and we offer a free initial introduction to discuss your needs.

General FAQ

1) What is a management consultant?

A management consultant works with management to solve organisational problems, find opportunities for improvement and implement effective solutions.

2) Why would I use a management consultant?

When you have a challenge to solve, when you are looking for ways to grow, when you need to reduce costs or increase productivity and when you need to innovate or deliver significant organisational change.

3) Will you tell me how to run my business?

No, that is not what a management consultant does. We bring an outside view, other experience, insights into other industries, ask questions, present solutions and work with your business on whatever it needs.

4) Why should I choose you?

There are many management consultants that this ultimately comes down to need and trust. We do give you three guarantees: 1. Our prices are competitive; 2. We will tell you if we cannot deliver what you need; 3. We aim to deliver a great customer experience.

5) Who do you work with?

In general, we work with larger SMEs through to mid-sized corporates or 50 to 5,000 people. Occasionally, we work with blue chips or a micro-entity where there is something we can help with. We are industry-agnostic but we do tend to work with clients across manufacturing, engineering, technology, software, construction, consumer packaged goods and business services.

6) Where do you find customers?

Our customers are often people that we have worked with in the past or referrals from existing customers. Trust is a vital component of the relationship.

7) What is your retainer?

If you do wish to secure our services on a regular basis, it may help to prioritise your needs where other competing work and projects may otherwise interfere.

8) What is your minimum fee?

We have a minimum threshold to commence any engagement. Please ask for details.

9) Where are you based?

Alderley Park in Cheshire.

10) Will you travel?

Yes, we travel all over the UK and overseas as required.

Engagement FAQ

1) Do you charge for the first meeting?

We offer a 1-hour initial discussion free of charge. Occasionally, we may go beyond this where the engagement is complex but we will call a halt if this looks like consultancy time.

2) How do I engage you?

We only require a purchase order and a signed order form to get started and then you can contact us directly.

3) Can I speed up or slow down the work?

Yes, we are very flexible and work to your pace with projects, so long as the timescales are agreed at the outset.

4) What video conferencing do you use?

We use Google Meet for video conferencing but we often attend calls using Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

5) Will you keep our data secure?

We use firewalls, VPN connections, dedicated connectivity and 256-bit AES encryption when required.

6) Can you use secure email?

Yes, just let us know as part of the engagement.

7) What if I am not happy?

In the unlikely event that you are unhappy, you will already be working with the directors at Think Beyond. We take customer experience very seriously and we will always seek to rectify any misunderstanding.

8) Who will do the work?

The majority of our work is carried out by directors but, on occasion, we use a select group of partners to help us. This may involve researchers, neuroscientists, a data analyst and a handful of other experts. We will always notify you of where we involve a partner.

9) Are you a data controller or processor?

We do not process any personal data.

10) Do you offer training?

We can offer a limited, bespoke service to tailor training to the specific needs of your business, department, team or individual. However, we do not ‘train’ clients to carry out the same work that we are delivering on your behalf.

Payment FAQ

1) How do I pay you?

We accept payments via BACS/CHAPS and faster payments and these details can be found at the bottom of our invoice.

2) Can I pay on completion?

Where a quote or order form states this, then yes, it may be paid on completion. In most cases, we will ask for part-payment ahead of completion for projects. Where the support is based on our day rates, we will typically invoice at the end of each month.

3) Can I pay in cash or cryptocurrency?

No, we do not accept cash payment or part-cash payment under any circumstances. At this time, we apologise but we cannot accept any payment via cryptocurrency.

4) Why do you take payment upfront?

Where there is a substantial upfront expenditure or you are a new client with Think Beyond, we may request a part-payment of up to 50% of the total cost upfront before commencement of any work.

5) Do you provide copy invoices and statements?

Yes, we can provide these on request.

6) Do you accept foreign currencies?

Yes, we currently accept payments in Euros as well as GBP.