Strategic Consulting

For values led businesses ready to think properly about what comes next

business consulting with Michelle hayman

Clarity, integrity and growth that actually lasts

You don’t need more noise. You don’t need another tactic. You need someone who can see the whole system, ask the hard questions, and help you make decisions that won’t come back to bite you in six months’ time.

That’s where I come in.

Who this is for

I work best with founders, directors and leadership teams who:

Care about building something meaningful, not just chasing short term wins
Feel the business has more potential than it’s currently realising
Are juggling growth, pressure, people and complexity
Know something isn’t quite right, but can’t see it clearly from inside
Want strategic thinking, not fluffy ideas or sales-led guesswork

You might be:

Stuck between protecting what you’ve built and needing to grow
Sitting on great products or services that aren’t positioned properly
Working hard but feeling like the business is pulling in too many directions
Surrounded by activity, but lacking clarity

I help you step back, see the wood for the trees, and move forward with confidence.

What I bring

I bring over 30 years of commercial experience across FMCG, retail, healthcare, DIY and consumer brands from start-ups to multi million pound organisations.

I’ve:

Created and grown entire product categories
Turned declining brands back into market leaders
Led strategic reviews that uncovered hidden risk and untapped opportunity
Worked at board and senior leadership level
Sat between sales, marketing, finance, operations and production and got them working together

Crucially, I don’t just look at one part of the business. I look at how everything connects people, product, numbers, structure and direction.

How I work (and why it's different)

I’m not embedded to “do the work for you”. I’m brought in to see clearly, think deeply, and guide decisively.

My role is to:

Surface what others are missing
Ask the questions no one’s asking
Challenge assumptions (kindly, but firmly)
Create a clear strategic roadmap you can trust

I work collaboratively, often involving key people from different departments. This isn’t about clever ideas in isolation, it’s about alignment, ownership and decisions that actually stick.

Clients often tell me:

“You say the thing we all know but haven’t been able to articulate.”

Areas I support

Strategic Direction & Vision – where you’re really going, and why
Business & Market Reviews what’s working, what’s not, and what it’s costing you
Brand & Positioning – clarity, differentiation and long‑term value
Product & Range Analysis – performance by value, volume and cash
Growth Strategy – smarter routes to growth, not just more output
Category & Portfolio Optimisation – focus, simplification and margin improvement
Leadership Alignment – helping teams pull in the same direction

I’m particularly strong where complexity, legacy and competing priorities collide.

Values & fit

I work best with businesses that value:

Integrity over ego
Long term thinking over short term fixes
Collaboration over silos
Leadership over control

I won’t knowingly support work that causes harm or undermines people for profit. If that matters to you too, we’ll likely work very well together.

Values & fit

Engagements are typically project based or strategic advisory.

Strategy & review projects: £3,000 – £15,000 depending on scope
Focused consulting day rate: £1,200

I’m open to outcome linked or blended models where appropriate, we’ll discuss what feels fair and aligned.

If we work together, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting and why.

My Approach

Discovery & Diagnosis

We start with a deep dive into your business – numbers, structure, people, market and reality on the ground.

Strategic Clarity

I develop a clear, grounded strategy that balances ambition with commercial reality.

Practical Roadmap

You get a prioritised plan with clear choices, not a glossy document that gathers dust.

Support & Challenge

I stay involved as needed to sense check decisions, challenge drift, and keep things honest.

Strategic Business Planning

Strategic business planning helps you develop a clear roadmap for success. I’ll work closely with you to analyse your current business situation, setting clear objectives, identify growth opportunities, and create a comprehensive plan that aligns with your goals. From market research to financial projections, I will help you stay ahead of the competition and achieve sustainable growth

Market Research & Analysis

Understanding your target market is key to making informed business decisions. Providing you with valuable insights into consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscape. By leveraging this information, you can make informed business decisions, develop customer centric marketing campaigns and identify untapped market opportunites.

New Product Development

Developing innovative and successful new products requires a strategic approach. I specialise in guiding businesses through the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation to launch. Market assessment, competitor reviews, validation, pricing analysis, packaging, logistics. Every single element covered to help you assess and launch new products. I will help you identify new product opportunities, conduct feasibility studies, and create compelling value propositions that resonate with your target market.

Sales & Lead Generation

Need help boosting your sales and generating more leads? I can help you optimise your sales process and attract qualified leads. I’ll work with you to develop effective sales strategies, implement lead generation campaigns, and improve your conversion rates. Helping you drive revenue growth and achieve your sales targets.

Market Reviews

Staying informed about market trends and industry developments is vital for maintaining a competitive edge. I conduct comprehensive market reviews and trend analysis. By monitoring consumer behaviour, emerging technologies, and industry shifts, I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations to adapt your strategies and stay ahead of the curve.

Marketing Campaign Development

Crafting impactful marketing campaigns requires expertise in target audience understanding, effective messaging, and the right mix of marketing channels. With my experience and knowledge, I specialise in developing result-driven marketing campaigns that resonate with your target market. From campaign strategy and planning to execution and performance tracking, I will guide you through every step to ensure maximum campaign effectiveness and return on investment.

Branding & Positioning

Your brand is the heart and soul of your business. I can help you define your unique value proposition and create a strong brand identity that resonates with your target audience. Conducting a thorough analysis of your market, competitors, and customer preferences to develop a compelling brand strategy. Helping you stand out from the crowd and build a brand that leaves a lasting impression.

Product Range Analysis

Assessing and optimising your product range is essential for meeting customer needs and maximizing profitability. As your consultant, I will conduct a thorough analysis of your current product offerings, including pricing, positioning, and market demand and full data analysis. By identifying gaps, overlaps, and opportunities, I will help you refine and expand your product range to better align with customer preferences and market trends.

Take the first step

If this resonates, book a no pressure conversation. We’ll explore what’s really going on in your business and whether I’m the right person to help.

Sometimes one honest conversation changes everything.

(+44) 0161 881 1239

266 Kings Road, Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester, M21 0XQ