Real stories of Australian leaders using financial analysis to make better decisions.

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Case studies: numbers that changed real decisions

These case studies share how founders and leadership teams in Australia used our financial analysis program to improve cash flow, pricing and board-level conversations.

Details have been lightly disguised to protect confidentiality, but the situations and outcomes are true to life – including the messy parts.

Read the case studies Watch a sample lesson

Snapshot of outcomes

Professional services firm

+6 pts

Gross margin improvement within 9 months.

Construction & trades group

+90 days

Extended cash runway through better forecasting.

Online retailer

40%

Reduction in “surprise” inventory write-offs.

Results are based on client-reported figures after participating in our programs. Individual outcomes will vary depending on your context and implementation.

Three different businesses, one common goal

Each story starts with a familiar problem: reports that feel unclear, decisions slowed by uncertainty, and a sense that the numbers are happening “to” the business instead of being used by it.

See relevant learning paths

Case Study 01 · Professional services

From “busy but blurry” to margin clarity in a consulting firm

Key outcomes

+6 percentage points in gross margin within 9 months
Clear view of which service lines to grow and which to reshape

Starting point

A 20-person consulting firm in Sydney with strong demand but limited visibility on which projects were truly profitable. Leadership reviewed reports quarterly but felt they were “reading them backwards”.

What we worked on

  • • Foundations Track to strengthen understanding of their reports.
  • • Simple project margin view built from existing data.
  • • Leadership workshops on pricing and resourcing decisions.

What changed

  • • Introduced a quarterly “margin check-in” using a shared template.
  • • Reframed discounting conversations with key clients.
  • • Trimmed low-margin offerings that absorbed disproportionate capacity.

Case Study 02 · Construction & trades

Turning unpredictable cash flow into a 90-day runway

Key outcomes

13-week cash flow forecast used weekly
Earlier conversations with clients and suppliers about timing

Starting point

A growing construction and trades group operating across regional NSW. Revenue was strong, but large swings in cash made it difficult to plan hiring and equipment purchases with confidence.

What we worked on

  • • Cash Flow Track with a focus on project-based businesses.
  • • 13-week rolling forecast tailored to their billing cycles.
  • • Leadership conversations about risk and contingency buffers.

What changed

  • • Weekly review ritual around the forecast, not just the bank balance.
  • • Earlier adjustments to payment terms and drawdowns.
  • • Clearer criteria for when to commit to new hires or vehicles.

Case Study 03 · Online retail

Using scenarios to grow without losing sleep

Key outcomes

Scenario plan for growth, base and downside cases
40% fewer last-minute inventory write-offs over 12 months

Starting point

A digitally native retailer selling across Australia and New Zealand. The founder wanted to pursue aggressive growth but worried about over-committing on inventory and marketing.

What we worked on

  • • Growth & Strategy Track aligned to their key metrics.
  • • Simple “base, stretch and downside” scenario model.
  • • Board-ready summary pack to communicate risk and options.

What changed

  • • Clear triggers for when to lean into or pause marketing spend.
  • • More deliberate inventory orders tied to each scenario.
  • • Board conversations that focused on choices, not just fear.

Before and after: what actually shifted

The most important change is often how leaders talk about their numbers. Still, it can help to see a few concrete indicators that moved after the program.

Business Focus area Before After (12–18 months)
Consulting firm Project margins Inconsistent view, pricing decisions based on “gut feel”. Regular margin reviews, clearer pricing bands and fewer low-value projects.
Construction group Cash visibility Short-term focus on bank balance and overdue invoices. Rolling 13-week forecast, earlier action on upcoming dips.
Online retailer Growth decisions Stressful debates about how much inventory and marketing was “safe”. Scenario-based decisions, with clear thresholds for spend and stock levels.

These examples are illustrative, not promises. Your own results will depend on your context, data quality and how consistently you apply the tools.

Does one of these situations feel familiar?

Many new clients recognise themselves in one of the stories above. Choose the scenario closest to you to see a recommended starting point.

Review pricing options

“We are busy but margins feel thin.”

You suspect some work is more profitable than others but do not have a clear view, and pricing conversations feel uncomfortable.

Recommended starting point: Foundations Track, followed by a focused session on pricing and margin.

View Foundations Track

“Cash keeps catching us off guard.”

Revenue looks fine on paper, but the bank balance swings make planning feel risky and stressful for the leadership team.

Recommended starting point: Cash Flow Track with a 13-week forecast tailored to your billing rhythm.

Explore Cash Flow Track

“We want to grow without losing sleep.”

You are planning to invest in growth but want a structured way to talk about risk, runway and different paths forward.

Recommended starting point: Growth & Strategy Track with a scenario planning module.

See Growth & Strategy Track

Not sure which story matches you?

Many organisations recognise a little bit of themselves in each case study. We can help you map your current situation and pick a sensible starting point.

Book a short conversation