Frequently asked questions
Fees, what each product includes, how the free value check differs from the Data and AI Value Review, and what the Virtual Data Office is.
How much does each product cost?+
The Data and AI Value Review starts from £7,500, the 90-Day Data Value Launch from £35,000, and the Virtual Data Office from £4,500 per month on a six-month initial term. Starting fees are an honest guide; the final scope and fee are agreed in writing before work begins, with VAT added where applicable.
Do you guarantee savings or a specific financial return?+
No. We build an evidence-based value hypothesis and agree a measurement baseline so the outcome can be judged honestly, but we do not guarantee savings. Any adviser who guarantees a financial return before the work has started is guessing.
What is the difference between the Value Review and the 90-Day Launch?+
The Value Review is a two-week piece of work that identifies where value credibly sits and which single opportunity should go first. The 90-Day Data Value Launch takes that opportunity and delivers it: one bounded use case in live use, measured, with the governance, ownership and capability to continue.
Do you implement the use case, or only advise?+
The Launch is designed around one bounded use case, delivered using your people and technology wherever possible. Where specialist engineering or implementation support is genuinely required, it is scoped separately and transparently. We do not resell technology and we take no vendor commission.
What is the Virtual Data Office?+
The Virtual Data Office is a practical Data leadership operating system: a monthly executive value and decision review plus a fortnightly Data leadership working session, keeping the Value Map, 90-day priorities and governance actions moving. It is not software, it is not sold as a number of consultancy days, and it does not replace accountable internal leaders.
Do we have to start with the Value Review?+
No. If the strongest opportunity is already clear and agreed, the 90-Day Data Value Launch can start directly. The Value Review exists for organisations that do not yet have an evidence-based first use case.
How quickly can work start?+
It depends on current commitments, but a confidential conversation can usually happen within a week, and scoped work typically starts within two to four weeks of terms being agreed.
Who is Data Leadership Coaching for?+
The programme is designed for Heads of Data, Data Directors, aspiring senior leaders and technical leaders stepping into broader organisational responsibility. It is focused on the real leadership demands of Data roles rather than technical training.
Is this coaching, mentoring or Data advice?+
The programme is coaching-led, helping the participant develop their own judgement, confidence and leadership approach. Where useful and agreed, Tom can also share relevant experience, challenge thinking or act as a sounding board on Data strategy, AI, teams, governance, platforms and delivery.
Is coaching confidential when an employer pays?+
Yes. The participant, sponsor and coach agree the intended outcomes at the beginning, but the content of individual coaching conversations remains confidential. Any sponsor update focuses on agreed objectives and progress rather than private session content.
Is this fractional leadership or access by the day?+
No. It is a defined 12-week leadership-development programme. It does not outsource the participant’s role, provide embedded delivery capacity or sell access by the day.
How long does the free value check take?+
A short set of plain-English questions, one per screen. You get an immediate snapshot — score, biggest blocker and a recommended first move. The result is rules-based, not AI-generated, and no sign-up is required to see it.
Do we need a data team to get value from this?+
No. The products are built for organisations that do not yet have mature data leadership. Many have a CTO or COO who owns data informally, or a small BI team. The output is written for executives, not analysts.
What happens after the 90 days?+
You keep the working use case, the measurement baseline, the capability plan and a prioritised Value Map for future opportunities. Some organisations continue with the Virtual Data Office to maintain the rhythm; others continue on their own, which is a legitimate outcome.
Is this a replacement for legal, security or regulatory advice?+
No. Your Data Leader provides independent Data and AI leadership advice. For regulated AI use cases or anything that affects customers, involve appropriate legal, compliance and security teams.
Do you need access to our raw business data?+
Not for the free value check; the snapshot is generated from your answers. Paid work reviews the evidence you choose to share, under agreed confidentiality terms.
Who is this for?+
CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, COOs and founders of organisations that want measurable value from Data, automation and AI but do not yet have mature data leadership, governance or trusted reporting.
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