Andy Poole was instrumental in facilitating our board strategy day that enabled us to retain focus and agree on a clear vision for our business that is centred around delivering for our people and our clients. The format of the day allowed a clear thought process that not only meant we focused on the important matters, but also that our decisions had an appropriate basis. We now have a plan for how to deliver our vision and we could not have achieved that on the day without Andy’s facilitation and guidance.
Steven Petrie, Ward Hadaway
Andy Poole and two Armstrong Watson colleagues led a day of Law South’s May 2021 conference, “Humanising the Business of Law”. This was online due to Covid but the delivery and the pace of the day engaged everyone successfully. Andy’s presentation was titled “Boosting profits and cash” and delivered to predominantly law firm partner audience of 60 delegates. Allowing for the usual range of perspectives in such a group, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive with 94% giving good or excellent for expectations being met. A typical comment was “Very clear, things we can see we do, as well as things we don't do quite so well!” The day gave a greater understanding of law firm finances, comfort in discussing financial matters with clients, improving client service and satisfaction and a bespoke set of actions to take away. We have subsequently used Andy for training courses for member firms and are happy to recommend him to others.
Mark Day, Chief Executive Officer, Law South Group Limited
We engaged Andy Poole of Armstrong Watson to facilitate a series of three strategy days for our senior leadership team and the wider partner group. This has helped us to formulate clear objectives and defined short, medium and long-term steps to achieve our ambitions.
It has helped us to become closer as a leadership team, improve communication channels across the firm and focus us on the actions we need to continue taking our business forwards. Andy was flexible enough to allow all attendees to have their input, whilst keeping us on track and challenging us as required. One of the attendees commented that it was “the most impactful day they had ever spent”.
Chris Welch, Managing Partner, Sintons LLP
We have been really impressed by Andy and the strategic consulting team. They have empowered us to transform the way that we think of our firm and supported us to make difficult decisions which have transformed our growth and profitability. We now have a clear goal, and we are well on our way to achieving it. The big advantage that Andy offers is his experience and knowledge. Many people claim that their plans could work, Andy knows that theirs does. It is not easy, it requires discipline. They offer practical assistance, advice, support and encouragement, praise in the good times and hold us accountable in the bad. Plus, Andy is a really decent guy, good fun and you can tell he loves his work. I would strongly recommend them to any law firm looking to thrive in the current and future market.
Nicholas Scullion, Scullion LAW
Armstrong Watson have been our accountants for a number of years. As directors of a small business in an ever changing legal sector we found ourselves working in the business and not always running or managing it. Despite experiencing continuous growth for several years no major changes had been made to the structure of the business.
In 2016, we enlisted the help of Andy Poole and took part in a Blue Strategic Business Advice session.
The three of us felt a little apprehensive at first, but this immediately fell away once Andy started the session and helped us find our way of focusing on our business. It felt like the mist in our heads lifted and plans and ideas started to slot into place.
Attending the Blue session has had a hugely positive impact for not only us as directors, but for the rest of the team and therefore the business as a whole.
We would highly recommend using Armstrong Watson for their Blue Strategic Business Advice to all organisations, from sole traders to national companies.
Karen Walsh, Paramount Legal Costs Limited
I would like to acknowledge the huge contribution that Andy Poole made to the success of our business planning weekend in March 2019. Andy’s pre-meeting preparation, insight, experience and clarity of thought enabled us to achieve in just one working day what it would otherwise have taken us many working days to accomplish, over a much more protracted timescale. As a result of Andy’s overall contribution and willingness to challenge, we identified and unanimously agreed the strategic aims which will form the essential foundation of our business plan for the next five years. Andy made an invaluable contribution to our business planning process that was not only highly productive and outcomes focused but one that was inclusive and enjoyed by all who took part. I would recommend Andy to other law firms without hesitation or reservation.
Paul Bury, Managing Partner, The Endeavour Partnership LLP
We spent an outstanding couple of days with Andy. It has helped with our cashflow, with profitability and interestingly clients have accepted a new process and approach to fees. The profit per file will be up. It was worth the time and effort and is the most useful session I’ve been on in years.
Paul Bennett, Bennett Briegal LLP
