Define the outcome before the engagement

Describe the decision to be prepared or the problem to be resolved. Ask what concrete output you will receive: an analysis, timetable, decision paper or implementation support. Workload and fees should match that outcome. A shared understanding prevents an extensive presentation being produced when the actual need was an answer to an urgent operational question. Also establish which information you are expected to provide.

Examine the working method

Useful questions often reveal more than a long service catalogue. Are your objectives challenged, conflicting data discussed and limitations made explicit? Establish who will do the work and how specialists will participate. Legal and tax services in particular need to be assigned to appropriately qualified professionals. Regular short reviews allow new findings to be incorporated before the project moves away from the original business need.

Connect delivery with responsibility

An output should show what happens next, who is responsible and how progress will be recognised. Distinguish recommendations from decisions already made. Keep open points and dependencies visible. After completion, you can then assess whether the engagement fulfilled its purpose. The quality of the relationship rests on useful results and dependable communication, rather than the breadth of promises made about eventual success.

JABA / PERSPECTIVES

Jaba supports commercial decisions. Individual legal and tax advice is provided exclusively by separately engaged, appropriately qualified professionals.