Hands-On Consulting
I’m not a slide-deck consultant. I’m an interim manager who thrives in the thick of it, sleeves rolled up, working side-by-side with teams to deliver measurable results.
I do not stand above the scrum but
I am in the scrum pushing hard like my teammates
Over the past 15+ years, I’ve led more than 10 turnaround and transformation projects across Europe for international companies in IT, manufacturing, and shared services. I don’t stand above the action. I’m in the scrum with the team, driving rapid problem identification and resolution under real pressure.
While there’s no shortage of management literature and frameworks, most fall short when it comes to actual implementation. The best school remains the battlefield: facing real constraints, making tough calls, learning from mistakes, and refining what truly works.
The numbers tell a sobering story. According to the Standish Group CHAOS reports, which analyzed tens of thousands of projects:
~30%
Only ~30% of initiatives are fully successful
~50%
are challenged (over budget, delayed, or under-delivered)
~20%
are outright failures
Common reasons for failure include poor requirements gathering, unclear goals, lack of stakeholder alignment, communication breakdowns, and scope creep.
Hands-on consulting (or interim management) is not advisory theater. It means sitting at the client’s desk, getting your hands dirty, and owning the outcome from start to finish.
In this article, I’ll walk you through a repeatable 6-step problem identification and resolution approach I’ve used successfully across my engagements. By the end, you’ll have a practical template you can apply immediately.
What Hands-On Consulting Actually Means
(and Why Most “Consulting” Isn’t It)
Traditional consulting focuses primarily on analysis, recommendations, and strategic advice. The consultant acts as an external expert who diagnoses problems, delivers reports and slide decks, then leaves the client to implement the solutions.
No criticism of traditional consultants — I’ve worked alongside KPMG, EY, and others many times. However, there’s a clear difference in approach and outcomes.
| Traditional Consulting | Hands-On Consulting (Interim) |
|---|---|
|
Delivers reports & decks |
Co-builds solutions with the team |
|
Diagnoses from afar |
Immerses in daily operations |
|
Billable hours focused |
Outcome & speed focused |
|
Consultant stays external |
Becomes a temporary team member |
Classic Example
A Big 4 firm spends 8 weeks analyzing your cost structure and delivers a 120-page report with 27 recommendations. They present it, invoice, and move on to the next client.
The 6-Step Problem Identification & Resolution Process
At the heart of hands-on interim management lies a structured yet flexible methodology that delivers fast, sustainable results. Unlike traditional consulting, which often stops at diagnosis, this process combines rapid analysis with immediate execution and knowledge transfer.
The framework is built for real-world pressure — tight margins, complex projects, cross-border integrations, and urgent cash-flow issues. Each step can typically be executed in days or weeks.
Step 1: Rapid Immersion & Context Mapping
A fast, structured dive into the company’s reality — people, processes, systems, culture, and numbers — within the first 5–10 working days.
Why it matters
You cannot fix what you don’t truly understand.
Hands-on tactics & tools
1:1 interviews, process shadowing, quick data review (P&L, cash flow, margins), organisational reality mapping, Miro/Lucidchart context map.
Quick Checklist
Meet 8+ key stakeholders, observe at least 2 full process cycles, produce a one-page visual map, identify the 3 biggest pain points.
Step 2: Problem Identification (Root Cause, Not Symptoms)
Move from surface symptoms to real root causes using structured techniques.
Key tools
5-Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram, data triangulation.
Quick Checklist
Validate root causes with 3+ data sources, clearly distinguish problem from symptom, rank by impact.
Step 3: Prioritization & Impact Scoring
Rank problems by financial impact, effort, and strategic importance.
Tools
2×2 Impact/Effort matrix, weighted scoring model.
Quick Template
Problem | Est. Financial Impact | Effort | Time to Impact | Priority Score.
Step 4: Co-Creation of Solutions
Develop solutions together with the client’s team instead of imposing them.
Key approach
Short focused workshops, rapid prototyping, joint dashboard design.
Step 5: Rapid Testing & Iteration (30-Day Pilots)
Test solutions in real conditions with short cycles.
Rule of thumb
“If it doesn’t work in 30 days, we kill it or radically change it.”
Step 6: Measurement, Handover & Knowledge Transfer
Define success metrics early and ensure the organisation can sustain the improvements.
Key deliverables
KPIs with baselines, simple dashboards, playbooks, and train-the-trainer sessions.
This 6-step process is not strictly linear — you move back and forth as needed. Its power lies in the combination of speed, collaboration, and full accountability.
Real Client Case Study
Company: Quantum AG
Sector: IT Hardware & Storage
Solutions Project: Establishment of EMEA Shared Service Center
Duration: 12 months
Situation: Quantum AG (subsidiary of a San Jose-based group) needed to consolidate accounting operations from the UK, Germany, and France into a new 60-person Shared Service Center in Zurich.
Actions: I led the full transition of AP, AR, and GL activities, redesigned core workflows with the local team, and implemented a commissionaire structure for the EMEA region.
Results:
- Month-end closing accelerated from ~12 days to 5 days
- Full SOX-compliant balance sheet reconciliation achieved
- Complete alignment of financial reporting across Europe
- Successful EU VAT compliance across all EMEA entities
- Significant reduction in external accounting support costs
The project delivered both immediate performance improvements and lasting internal capability.
Watch Out: Common Pitfalls
(and How to Avoid Them)
Even with a solid framework, several challenges can derail a mission. Here are the most frequent ones I’ve encountered:
1.
Falling in love with your own ideas
Involve the team early and treat solutions as collaborative works in progress.
2.
Rushing the initial immersion
Don’t skip this step under time pressure. Deep context gathering often reveals hidden issues and helps set realistic timelines.
3.
Failing to transfer ownership
Dedicate real time to documentation, training, and handover — this is what determines long-term success.
4.
Middle management resistance
Change threatens comfort zones. Early stakeholder mapping and transparent communication are essential.
5.
Slow stakeholder approvals
Build buffer time into planning and escalate delays promptly.
Tools & Resources You Can Use Today
Problem Framing Canvas
A powerful one-page tool to clearly define problems before jumping into solutions. Recommended: Miro’s Problem Framing Template or Design Sprint Academy resources.
Finance & Operations Dashboards
Excel/Google Sheets templates for Cash Flow, DSO, Cash Conversion Cycle, Project Margins, and Forecast Accuracy. These can be adapted in minutes and deliver immediate value.
Conclusion: Turn Insights into Real Results
The harsh reality is that most consulting projects fail not because of bad ideas, but because they never make it past the slide deck.
Hands-on interim management changes that equation. By combining rapid immersion, rigorous problem-solving, and full execution ownership, the 6-step process delivers sustainable results — not just recommendations.
The 6 Steps at a Glance:
- Rapid Immersion & Context Mapping
- Problem Identification (Root Cause)
- Prioritization & Impact Scoring
- Co-Creation of Solutions
- Rapid Testing & Iteration (30-Day Pilots)
- Measurement, Handover & Knowledge Transfer
This isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, working shoulder-to-shoulder with the team, and leaving the organisation stronger and more capable when you walk out the door.
If you’re tired of projects that look good on paper but deliver little on the ground, let’s talk.
Ready to tackle your biggest operational challenges?
Book a no-obligation 30-minute diagnostic call and I’ll help you identify your top 3
priorities and quick wins — at no cost.
