Client Onboarding FAQ

Our onboarding is designed to be minimal-friction for busy manufacturing leadership teams. Here's what to expect:

**Week 1 - Discovery** We schedule a 60-minute working session with your key decision-makers. We review your current operations, identify the 2-3 highest-impact AI opportunities, and agree on success metrics. You don't need to prepare anything in advance - we guide the process.

**Week 2 - Opportunity Mapping** We produce a tailored AI opportunity map specific to your operation - covering production scheduling, quality control, inventory management, or workforce planning depending on your priorities. This typically takes 5-7 business days.

**Week 3 - Proposal** We deliver a written proposal with specific recommendations, projected ROI, implementation timeline, and investment range. No generic decks - a document written for your business.

**Week 4 - Onboarding** Once you approve the proposal, we begin work. We assign a dedicated point of contact, set up a shared working folder, and kick off the first workstream. You can step back - we do the heavy lifting.

Most clients see measurable operational improvements within 3-6 months of implementation. Our approach starts with quick wins - changes that deliver ROI in weeks - before moving to longer-horizon transformations.

For example, a ceramics manufacturer we worked with reduced kiln idle time by 18% within 4 months of implementing our production scheduling recommendations. A precision engineering SME cut quality control inspection time by 30% in the first quarter.

AI projects are investments, not magic. We set honest timelines and measure progress against agreed KPIs throughout.

Very little. Before our first meeting, we ask only for:

- A brief description of your current operations (we can extract this in the discovery session if you don't have it written down) - Access to any relevant data you're comfortable sharing (production logs, quality reports, inventory data - we'll tell you exactly what's useful and what isn't) - Commitment from one internal champion who can facilitate internal communications

We do not require access to your financial systems, HR data, or proprietary processes during the assessment phase. Data security is addressed in our onboarding agreement.

Implementation depends on the scope agreed in your proposal. Typical engagement structures:

**Advisory Retainer** - Monthly strategic guidance, working sessions, and recommendations. You implement with your existing team or with our guidance.

**Project-Based** - A defined piece of work (a specific process, a specific AI tool implementation, a specific operational improvement). We manage from brief to delivery.

**Embedded Team** - For larger manufacturers, we can work as an extension of your team for a fixed period, typically 3-6 months.

We always define success metrics before starting. If the metrics aren't moving after an agreed checkpoint, we reassess - no lock-in.

All work is covered by a mutual non-disclosure agreement signed before any data is exchanged. We do not share your data with third parties, use it for any purpose other than your project, or reference your organisation in any public materials without explicit written consent.

For manufacturing clients, we are experienced with the sensitivity of production data, process specifications, and customer/supplier information. We can work within your IT security requirements, including air-gapped environments if necessary.

Your satisfaction is tracked against the KPIs defined in your proposal. If at any checkpoint the work is not meeting agreed metrics, we discuss course corrections. If after two rechecks the engagement is not working, either party can end the retainer with 30 days notice - no penalties, no lock-in.

We do not invoice for work that has not met the agreed brief.

Yes. While our specialty is manufacturing in North Staffordshire and the wider Midlands, we work with manufacturing businesses across the UK. For businesses outside the region, we conduct discovery sessions remotely via video call.

For businesses in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland, please contact us directly to discuss arrangements.

Our clients range from 20-employee precision engineering firms to 500+ employee ceramics manufacturers. The common thread is a manufacturing operation with identifiable inefficiencies, a leadership team open to structured improvement, and a budget for professional services in the 1,000-10,000 pounds per month range for retained work.

We do not typically work with businesses below 10 employees or with purely retail/commercial operations. If you're unsure whether we're a fit, send us a brief description of your operation and we'll give you a straight answer within one business day.

We aim to leave your team more capable, not more dependent. Every engagement ends with a documented handover - process maps, tool documentation, internal guides - so your team can operate independently.

Many clients stay in touch on an informal basis after a project ends, returning for periodic strategic reviews or for help with specific new challenges. We don't require retainer commitments for this. We also provide 90 days of email support after project delivery at no additional charge, for questions about the work done.