How do you build a business and financial strategy that survives real scrutiny?
Get the plan right, and everything downstream gets easier.
We build business plans, funding strategies and growth plans that stand up to investors, boards and the market itself.
Every business decision, whether funding, expansion, turnaround or a new product, rests on a plan. A good one can transform performance. A weak one costs you money you will never see the loss of, because you will never know what you missed.
Businesses typically engage us for strategy work when they are preparing for a funding round, launching into a new market, or when an existing plan has stalled and leadership cannot pinpoint why.
Why it works
- Strategy survival rate: 90% of strategies fail at execution (Harvard Business Review); the Guild model closes that gap.
- Fractional model: C-suite expertise without full-time overhead.
- Built to withstand scrutiny: Plans that stand up to investors, boards and the market, not just the pitch deck.
- Outside perspective: A gap analysis and perspective from outside your business before you commit resources.
- Network leverage: Access to the Guild’s networks and referral potential.
What we do
Business plan development
- Executive summary, business structure, marketing plan, operational plan, risk analysis, financial plan, funding strategy.
- A perspective outsider’s view, or gap analysis, before committing resources.
- Due diligence and risk analysis.
Networking and relationships
- Tap into the power of our networks and referral potential.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a business strategy engagement cost?
It depends on scope, but the first conversation is free. We scope the work with you and quote before anything begins, so you always know the cost up front. Most clients start with a single defined piece of work rather than an open-ended retainer.
What industries does The Ideas Factory specialise in?
Through the Guild we cover energy and industrial infrastructure, ICT and telecoms, financial services, M&A and corporate finance, pan-African logistics, applied AI, brand and creative, and B2B marketing. If your sector is not listed, ask; the Guild network runs deep.
How long does a typical engagement last?
Anything from a focused one-off project to a continuous pipeline of ideas. We shape the engagement around the problem, not a fixed package.
Who will I actually work with?
You deal with one lead advisor, the TIF founder, who brings in specific Guild specialists only when precise domain expertise is needed.
Can you help us prepare for a funding round?
Yes. Business plans, fundraising strategy and investor-ready documentation are core to what we do, and several Guild members have raised and structured capital first-hand.
Related: Tim Wright, Ian Scott, the Track Record, and Marketing and communication strategy.
Preparing for a funding round or a market move?
Start with a free strategy session and a plan built to survive real scrutiny.
Book a free strategy session