“We’ve this great opportunity (or problem child) and we’re not sure what to do. We don’t have the time, experience, skills or resources to know how to solve or realise it”
It’s a dilemma often faced by business owners, board members, non-executives, funders and technology incubators who lack the time, money or risk appetite to employ a sufficiently experienced full-time employee until they understand what they need to do and how to make things happen.
I’m Andrew Dahl, a highly experienced entrepreneur turned interim consultant and non-exec who has developed a track record of evaluating, advising and realising big opportunities and resolving major problems hands-on, often in highly innovative and complex sectors.
I’ve helped build strategies and financial plans across all business areas to help organisations realise opportunities and solve problems. If needed, I’ve roll up my sleeves to set up and embed sustainable structures and put teams in place that can continue once I’ve left .
If an opportunity is unrealisable then I’ll say so without stringing it out!
If you’ve got a big idea or problem to solve
Testimonials and feedback
“Andrew led the process of setting up and rapidly growing our new KLT Filtration business. He was involved in all aspects of the business both commercially, technically and operationally. Thanks to his energy, commitment and enthusiasm we now have both branded high value and OEM water filtration offerings that are attracting good interest, particularly from overseas customers.”
Mark Littlewood, CEO KL Technologies
“Andrew’s wide ranging senior commercial and operational background coupled with the fact that he has successfully raised investment funding himself meant he quickly got to grips with the fundamentals of the business and what was required. The detailed financial and operational plan he prepared is in a format which is clear and credible to potential investors. It will also allow the management team to identify key factors impacting cash and working capital requirements and how to manage them. It should be a very useful tool to monitor performance going forward.”
Justin Grainger, Managing Director Crowdfundme2
“Andrew’s advice and mentorship was absolutely vital in the restructuring of our retail distribution and new product development. His knowledge of the retail market plus his calm measured advice helped me negotiate the minefield of distributor relationships, and helped us develop a clear strategy going forward.”
John Simpson, Director Stylophone, Dubreq
“I have no doubt the organisation could not have made half the progress that they have done, without your considerable input and contribution. You have always provided acutely constructive challenge, striking an outstanding balance between the detail and the bigger picture.”
Alistair Ponder (Chairman, MENTA)
Sectors I’ve worked In
A great thing about working in different sectors is realising how transferable ideas and approaches are from one to another. Here are just some of the industries I’ve worked in:
Education and technology
Branded consumer goods
Professional services and consultancy
Public sector and military
Automation and manufacturing
Oil, gas and energy
HMPPS and Justice
Water filtration
Data protection
Not-for-Profit
Equipment sales and distribution
Property management
Companies I’ve worked with:
Here are a few of the companies I’ve worked with:
What companies say to me
“How can we sort our marketing department out? - We’ve tried everything”
“We've got lots of problems, we haven't really got the resources to focus on it, and I don't want to hire an expensive full-time employee to look, but I think there might be something there”
“We’ve run this really successful pilot project but I’m not sure how to take advantage of the opportunity or how to fund it”
“I've got this great idea, I’ve got lots of interest and I need some help - not quite sure what”
“I’ve bought the business and got sales. I need help to build a strategy, to development new products and sort out distribution”
“It’s a great product but we need to act, think and invest as a retail brand rather than a manufacturing company”
“We always get great feedback but our finances seem to go from feast to famine and we don’t really understand why”
“We’ve developed this material with a really interesting material structure but we’re not sure whether there’s a commercial application or how to evaluate it”
Why they retain me
“You really understand what we do”
“We've seen what you’ve done before so we know you’ve the wide-ranging experience and expertise to help”
“You’ve successfully raised finance before. You have the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to understand what we do. Let’s give it a go and see how we get on”
“I’ve seen what you’ve done before and how you work, particularly in building forecasts and budgets and putting systems and processes together”
“Having met and spoken to you I’m confident that you know what you’re talking about, that you’ve actually done it yourself and that we can work together”
“You’ve got the skills, knowledge, commitment and energy to make it happen and we like the idea, product and strategy”
“You understand the problem and we need someone to sort it out”
“You understand the issues, bring a real commercial knowledge and you’re able to relate to academics, industry and potential funders alike”
If you’ve got a big idea or problem to solve