Starting work with someone new always involves a little uncertainty, mostly because you don't yet know how things will run. Here's what the first few weeks with us look like, so you know what's coming.

It starts with a conversation

After your inquiry, the first step is simply to talk. We'll ask what prompted you to get in touch, what you're hoping to achieve, and what you've already tried. You don't need to arrive with a finished plan. A clear picture of where things stand today is enough for us to work from.

We'll also tell you plainly if we don't think we're the right fit. It's better for everyone to find that out at the beginning.

We agree on what's included

Next, we settle what the work covers and, just as usefully, what it doesn't. We'll set this out in plain language before we begin, so both of us are working from the same list.

If your needs change along the way, that's normal. We'll talk about what the change involves before anything is added, not after.

You'll know who to talk to

From the start, you'll have a main contact: one person who knows where your work stands and can either answer your question or find the person who can. Often that's the same person you first spoke with.

How updates reach you

Early on, we'll ask how you'd like to hear from us — by email, by phone, or at a regular check-in — and roughly how often. Some people want to follow every step. Others would rather hear from us only when there's a decision to make or something to review. Either is fine. What matters is that we agree on it up front, so you're not left wondering where things stand.

What we'll need from you

Good work depends on good information. In the first weeks, we'll likely ask you for:

• Background. Any documents, notes or history that explain how you got here.
• Access. A way to reach the people, places or information we need to do the work.
• Decisions. Timely answers when there's a choice to make, and clarity about who on your side has the final say.
• Candour. If something isn't sitting right, tell us early, while it's still easy to adjust.

Questions are welcome at any point

You're never expected to nod along. If a term is unfamiliar, a step seems unnecessary, or you simply want to know why we're recommending something, ask, whenever it occurs to you. We'd much rather explain something twice than have you wonder about it.

The first few weeks set the tone for everything that follows. By the end of them, you should know what we're doing, why we're doing it, and how to reach us.