How We Work

How We Work

We don't rush to solutions. We don't fix symptoms. And we don't install tools in isolation.

We don't rush to solutions. We don't fix symptoms. And we don't install tools in isolation.

We don't rush to solutions. We don't fix symptoms. And we don't install tools in isolation.

We work methodically — fixing how the business runs, so execution no longer depends on the founder.

We work methodically — fixing how the business runs, so execution no longer depends on the founder.

We work methodically — fixing how the business runs, so execution no longer depends on the founder.

Here's exactly what working with us looks like — from first conversation to the day you step back.

Here's exactly what working with us looks like — from first conversation to the day you step back.

Here's exactly what working with us looks like — from first conversation to the day you step back.

We start by diagnosing, not guessing

Every engagement starts with the Business Operating System Audit.

Every engagement starts with the Business Operating System Audit.

We look at how decisions are actually made, how work flows through the business, and where execution breaks or escalates.

We look at how decisions are actually made, how work flows through the business, and where execution breaks or escalates.

What we examine:

What we examine:

→ Where your time actually goes (founder time audit)

→ Where your time actually goes (founder time audit)

→ What decisions escalate to you (and why)

→ What decisions escalate to you (and why)

→ Where team ownership is unclear or missing

→ Where team ownership is unclear or missing

→ Where execution breaks inside functions

→ Where execution breaks inside functions

Sometimes the outcome is clarity on what to fix.

Sometimes the outcome is clarity on what to fix.

Sometimes it's clarity on what not to do yet.

Sometimes it's clarity on what not to do yet.

Either way, we don't move forward without understanding the real problem.

Either way, we don't move forward without understanding the real problem.

The audit is where that understanding begins.

The audit is where that understanding begins.

It takes 2 weeks and 5-7 hours of your time.

It takes 2 weeks and 5-7 hours of your time.

Most diagnostics end with a document. This one ends with a conversation.

Most diagnostics end with a document. This one ends with a conversation.

We walk through every finding together — your Founder Dependency Score, where time is bleeding, which bottlenecks are costing the most — until the picture is clear and the next move is obvious.

We walk through every finding together — your Founder Dependency Score, where time is bleeding, which bottlenecks are costing the most — until the picture is clear and the next move is obvious.

The 12-page diagnostic is yours to keep. The clarity is what you're actually paying for.

The 12-page diagnostic is yours to keep. The clarity is what you're actually paying for.

The report and the conversation are yours — whether you work with us or not.

The report and the conversation are yours — whether you work with us or not.

WHAT WORKING WITH US ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

Every engagement follows the same sequence. The timeline changes. The steps don't.

Every engagement follows the same sequence. The timeline changes. The steps don't.

STEP 0: AUDIT — 2 weeks, before engagement begins

STEP 0: AUDIT — 2 weeks, before engagement begins

What happens:

What happens:

→ Founder time audit, decision flow analysis

→ Founder time audit, decision flow analysis

→ Team ownership assessment, function breakdown

→ Team ownership assessment, function breakdown

→ 12-page report: 3 bottlenecks ranked by ROI impact

→ 12-page report: 3 bottlenecks ranked by ROI impact

→ Recommended path with exact pricing

→ Recommended path with exact pricing

Your time: 5-7 hours total

Your time: 5-7 hours total

Investment: $497 (credited toward engagement)

Investment: $497 (credited toward engagement)

STEP 1: DIAGNOSE — Weeks 1-2 of engagement

STEP 1: DIAGNOSE — Weeks 1-2 of engagement

What happens:

What happens:

→ Current state mapped in depth

→ Current state mapped in depth

→ Leadership team interviewed individually

→ Leadership team interviewed individually

→ Priority order confirmed

→ Priority order confirmed

→ Engagement roadmap agreed

→ Engagement roadmap agreed

Your time: 6-8 hours across 2 weeks

Your time: 6-8 hours across 2 weeks

STEP 2: DESIGN — Weeks 3-5 of engagement

STEP 2: DESIGN — Weeks 3-5 of engagement

We build the structure — custom to your business.

We build the structure — custom to your business.

What happens:

What happens:

→ Vision & Direction Document (founder-led, we facilitate)

→ Vision & Direction Document (founder-led, we facilitate)

→ Culture Manifesto (founder + leadership team)

→ Culture Manifesto (founder + leadership team)

→ Ownership Chart (one owner per function, no gaps)

→ Ownership Chart (one owner per function, no gaps)

→ Decision Rights Matrix (who decides what, at which level)

→ Decision Rights Matrix (who decides what, at which level)

→ Scorecard & Weekly Meeting Structure

→ Scorecard & Weekly Meeting Structure

How we work:

How we work:

We facilitate the sessions. You and your leadership team do the thinking. We capture and structure it.

We facilitate the sessions. You and your leadership team do the thinking. We capture and structure it.

Nothing handed over as a finished document. Everything emerges from your thinking — structured by us.

Nothing handed over as a finished document. Everything emerges from your thinking — structured by us.

Your time: 5-7 hours/week

Your time: 5-7 hours/week

Leadership team time: 3-5 hours/week

Leadership team time: 3-5 hours/week

STEP 3: INSTALL — Weeks 6-10

STEP 3: INSTALL — Weeks 6-10

We run the system with you until it holds.

We run the system with you until it holds.

What happens:

What happens:

→ First weekly leadership meetings facilitated by us

→ First weekly leadership meetings facilitated by us

→ Scorecard reviewed live — team learns to read reality

→ Scorecard reviewed live — team learns to read reality

→ Decisions tested at the right level (without escalating)

→ Decisions tested at the right level (without escalating)

→ Issues surfaced, prioritized, solved in real meetings

→ Issues surfaced, prioritized, solved in real meetings

→ Problems that break the surface → fixed immediately

→ Problems that break the surface → fixed immediately

This is where most consultants stop.

This is where most consultants stop.

We stay until:

We stay until:

→ Team runs meetings without our prompts

→ Team runs meetings without our prompts

→ Decisions flow without reaching the founder

→ Decisions flow without reaching the founder

→ You can step away for a week — nothing breaks

→ You can step away for a week — nothing breaks

Your time: 4-6 hours/week

Your time: 4-6 hours/week

Leadership team time: 3-4 hours/week

Leadership team time: 3-4 hours/week

STEP 4: TRANSFER Weeks 10-12 of engagement

STEP 4: TRANSFER Weeks 10-12 of engagement

We hand over. Your team owns it.

We hand over. Your team owns it.

What happens:

What happens:

→ Team leads all sessions — we observe, not facilitate

→ Team leads all sessions — we observe, not facilitate

→ Edge cases handled (what to do when things break)

→ Edge cases handled (what to do when things break)

→ Maintenance guide handed over (system evolves without us)

→ Maintenance guide handed over (system evolves without us)

→ 30-day follow-up check-in scheduled before we leave

→ 30-day follow-up check-in scheduled before we leave

We know it's done when:

We know it's done when:

→ Weekly meeting runs without us in the room

→ Weekly meeting runs without us in the room

→ Scorecard updated before Monday — no reminder needed

→ Scorecard updated before Monday — no reminder needed

→ Decisions made at team level, not founder level

→ Decisions made at team level, not founder level

→ You take a full week off and nothing breaks

→ You take a full week off and nothing breaks

We don't declare success. You do.

We don't declare success. You do.

Your time: 2-3 hours/week

Your time: 2-3 hours/week

Leadership team time: 2-3 hours/week

Leadership team time: 2-3 hours/week

AFTER LAYER 1 IS HOLDING

AFTER LAYER 1 IS HOLDING

Once the foundation runs without you, we assess what's next.

Once the foundation runs without you, we assess what's next.

Layer 2 optimizes how work moves through individual functions — same sequence, one function at a time.

Layer 2 optimizes how work moves through individual functions — same sequence, one function at a time.

Layer 3 introduces tools and automation that support what's already working — never before.

Layer 3 introduces tools and automation that support what's already working — never before.

The sequence never changes. Each layer builds on the one before it.

The sequence never changes. Each layer builds on the one before it.

WHAT THIS ACTUALLY REQUIRES FROM YOU

The question we hear most: "How much of my time?"

The question we hear most: "How much of my time?"

Here's the honest breakdown (Full Installation, Layer 1):

Here's the honest breakdown (Full Installation, Layer 1):

STEP

STEP

YOUR TIME

YOUR TIME

TEAM TIME

TEAM TIME

Audit

Audit

5-7 hrs total

5-7 hrs total

0 hrs

0 hrs

Diagnose

Diagnose

6-8 hrs total

6-8 hrs total

2-3 hrs total

2-3 hrs total

Design

Design

5-7 hrs/week

5-7 hrs/week

3-5 hrs/week

3-5 hrs/week

Install

Install

4-6 hrs/week

4-6 hrs/week

3-4 hrs/week

3-4 hrs/week

Transfer

Transfer

2-3 hrs/week

2-3 hrs/week

2-3 hrs/week

2-3 hrs/week

Total your time: ~75-90 hours across 12 weeks

Total your time: ~75-90 hours across 12 weeks

Average per week: 6-8 hours

Average per week: 6-8 hours

Compare that to: 20 hours/week currently spent firefighting.

Compare that to: 20 hours/week currently spent firefighting.

You invest 6-8 hours/week for 12 weeks.

You invest 6-8 hours/week for 12 weeks.

You reclaim 12-15 hours/week permanently.

You reclaim 12-15 hours/week permanently.

BUILD FOUNDATION FIRST

We build the foundation first.

We build the foundation first.

If the foundation isn't in place, nothing else holds.

If the foundation isn't in place, nothing else holds.

Before optimising functions or introducing tools, we install the structure that carries execution: clear ownership, clear decision rights, a steady execution rhythm, and visibility into what's happening.

Before optimising functions or introducing tools, we install the structure that carries execution: clear ownership, clear decision rights, a steady execution rhythm, and visibility into what's happening.

This is the point where execution stops collapsing back onto the founder.

This is the point where execution stops collapsing back onto the founder.

FIX EXECUTION

We fix execution where it matters most.

We fix execution where it matters most.

Once the foundation is holding, we focus on how work actually moves through the business.

Once the foundation is holding, we focus on how work actually moves through the business.

We don't optimise everything at once. We fix the weakest point first — usually where time is leaking, errors repeat, or the founder is still required to step in.

We don't optimise everything at once. We fix the weakest point first — usually where time is leaking, errors repeat, or the founder is still required to step in.

The goal is simple: work moves forward without chasing people or relying on memory.

The goal is simple: work moves forward without chasing people or relying on memory.

TOOLS LAST

We use tools last — and only when they help.

We use tools last — and only when they help.

Most businesses introduce tools too early. Confusion gets automated, not solved.

Most businesses introduce tools too early. Confusion gets automated, not solved.

We only introduce technology after ownership and process are clear. When tools are used, they support real workflows, reduce friction, and are adopted by the team.

We only introduce technology after ownership and process are clear. When tools are used, they support real workflows, reduce friction, and are adopted by the team.

Fewer tools. Better fit.

Fewer tools. Better fit.

BUILD TO STEP BACK

We build to step back.

We build to step back.

Our goal is not long-term dependency.

Our goal is not long-term dependency.

As the system stabilises, we transfer ownership to the leadership team, make sure the rhythm holds, and step out of day-to-day involvement.

As the system stabilises, we transfer ownership to the leadership team, make sure the rhythm holds, and step out of day-to-day involvement.

Success is a business that runs without constant intervention — from us or from the founder.

Success is a business that runs without constant intervention — from us or from the founder.

What this is — and what it isn’t

What this is — and what it isn’t

What this is — and what it isn’t

This isn’t

Coaching or motivation

Coaching or motivation

Coaching or motivation

Tool-first implementation

Tool-first implementation

Tool-first implementation

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

A document handed over and abandoned

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

Generic advice that ignores your context

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

Ongoing dependency on us to run your business

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

Quick fixes or surface-level optimisation

This is

Hands-on system installation

Hands-on system installation

Hands-on system installation

Structured, sequential work

Structured, sequential work

Structured, sequential work

Focused on execution, not advice

Focused on execution, not advice

Focused on execution, not advice

Built with your team — not for you

Focused on execution, not advice

Focused on execution, not advice

Measured by adoption, not deliverables

Focused on execution, not advice

Focused on execution, not advice

Done when YOU own it — not when we say so

Focused on execution, not advice

Focused on execution, not advice

Build a business where execution doesn't bottleneck at you.

The first step is seeing exactly where it does.

Founder Dependency Score (where you are today)

Founder Dependency Score (where you are today)

3 critical bottlenecks ranked by ROI impact

3 critical bottlenecks ranked by ROI impact

Recommended path with exact pricing for your situation

Recommended path with exact pricing for your situation

Build a business where execution doesn't bottleneck at you.

The first step is seeing exactly where it does.

See exactly where execution breaks down

Clarify ownerships, decisions, and priorites

Recommended path with exact pricing for your situation

https://www.firstground.co/8c9d1166abd64e0a8724896c0074210f.txt