Business Advisory Services Brisbane Qld
We provide Brisbane business with skilled Business Advisory Services that are tailored for construction business owners and business leaders making critical decisions about profitability, cashflow, business growth, management improvements and future plans.
Get strategic decision support and make your next significant business decision with a clearer picture of your options, risks and priorities. Blaze Business & Legal provides experienced Business Advisers, Commercial Advisers and Financial Management Advisers to Contractors, Subcontractors and Suppliers across Brisbane City, North Brisbane, South Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.
Best Business Consultants for Construction, Civil & Infrastructure Businesses
Our Business Advisory Services help you to:
- Assess challenges
- Analyse your business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)
- Get advice on what is not working and how to fix it
- Plan improvements
- Put agreed recommendations into practice with our implementation support
Key Takeaways
Business Advisory helps Construction Business owners and decision-makers assess significant decisions using relevant commercial, financial, management and operational information and our associated business strategy.
Work directly with Rachelle Hare, Construction Lawyer, Commercial Manager and Business Adviser, and Shannon Drew, Management Accountant, Virtual CFO and Business Adviser and find out if their expert Business Consultancy Services make them the best business consultants for you. Working together, their advice and support connects:
business strategy
financial management
operations
commercial business issues
governance
procurement
business legals
compliance
risks
Their combined experience allows them to examine how contractual commitments, project profitability, financial leadership, cash flow and management capacity affect the same business decision.
Discuss your business priorities by booking a 60-minute no-obligation Strategy Session.
Prefer to talk first? Call (07) 3063 3373 for a free initial chat with Rachelle Hare.
Our Business Advisory Services
Construction Business Improvement
- Business performance improvement
- Profitability and cash flow improvement
- Commercial and operational improvement
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- Management and systems improvement
- Construction Business Assessment
- Construction Business Issue Review
- Construction Business Improvement Audit
- Construction Business Improvement System
Business Management Consultant Brisbane
- Business consulting services
- Business management advice
- Business performance reviews
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- Business problems and priorities
- Management and decision-making support
- Business improvement and implementation support
Commercial Advisory Services
- Commercial strategy and decision-making
- Tender and bid commercial advice
- Pricing strategy and margin protection
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- Procurement and subcontracting strategy
- Project commercial performance reviews
- Contract administration systems
- Commercial reporting and controls
- Variations and claims management processes
- Commercial risk assessment
- External Commercial Manager
Construction Financial Management
- Management accounting and financial reporting
- Budgeting and financial forecasting
- Project profitability and margin analysis
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- Job costing and cost-to-complete reporting
- Work in progress reporting
- Overhead and cost management
- Working capital management
- Cash Flow Forecasting
- External CFO / Virtual CFO
Business Growth Consulting Brisbane
- Business growth strategy
- Growth readiness assessments
- Scaling operations and management capacity
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- Growth funding and cash flow planning
- Expansion into new service areas
- Business structure reviews before growth
- Profitability and margin protection during growth
- Growth implementation and performance monitoring
Construction Business Structuring
- Business structure reviews
- Company, trust and partnership structures
- Ownership and group structures
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- Restructuring existing construction businesses
- Asset protection and separation of business risk
- Structuring for growth, acquisition or succession
- StructureSAFE business structure analysis
- Coordination of legal, tax and accounting implementation
Management Consulting
- Organisational structure and management design
- Management systems and operating models
- Roles, responsibilities and reporting lines
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- Leadership and management capability
- Business performance management and KPIs
- Change management and implementation
- Management accountability
Operations Consulting
- Business operations reviews
- Workflow and process improvement
- Standard operating procedures
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- Operational systems and controls
- Procurement and supply chain processes
- Resource planning and productivity
- Project handovers and delivery processes
- Operational reporting and KPIs
- Implementation of operational improvements
Compliance Services
- Business compliance reviews
- Compliance systems, registers and monitoring
- Contractor and subcontractor compliance processes
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- Licensing and qualification monitoring
- Financial compliance controls and reporting
- Procurement and tender compliance processes
- Employment and workforce compliance administration
- Compliance policies, procedures and training
- QBCC Construction Compliance Services
Brisbane 2032 Contractor Readiness
- Brisbane 2032 opportunity and readiness reviews
- Tender and procurement readiness
- Bid and prequalification capability
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- Contractor capacity and delivery planning
- Commercial and financial readiness
- Management systems and operational capability
- Risk and compliance readiness
- Readiness improvement priorities
Strategic Business Planning
- Business strategy development
- Strategic business plans
- Business objectives and priorities
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- Commercial and financial planning
- Strategic options and decision-making
- Implementation plans and milestones
- Strategic performance reviews
Risk Management Services
- Business risk reviews
- Construction and project risk assessment
- Risk identification and evaluation
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- Risk registers and reporting
- Risk ownership and accountability
- Risk management systems and controls
- Risk mitigation planning and implementation
- Project risk workshops
Governance Services
- Board function and strategic responsibilities
- Strategic advice on board operations and compliance
- Corporate and business governance reviews
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- Board structures, responsibilities and processes
- Board papers, meeting processes and management reporting
- Delegations of Authority frameworks
- Decision-making and approval authorities
- Director and management responsibilities
- Governance policies and procedures
- Internal controls and accountability
- Governance implementation and monitoring
Small Business Management Consulting
- Owner and management support
- Small business management systems
- Delegation and reduced owner dependency
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- Financial and operational performance
- Business planning and decision-making
- Management processes and reporting
- Small business growth readiness
Business Succession Planning
- Ownership succession planning
- Leadership and management succession
- Successor readiness
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- Ownership transition options
- Business continuity during succession
- Succession implementation planning
- Coordination of legal and financial requirements
Business Exit Planning
- Owner exit strategy
- Business sale readiness
- Preparing the business for due diligence
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- Reducing owner dependency
- Financial and operational preparation
- Management transition
- Exit timing and options
- Coordination with business sale legal services
What is business advisory?
Business Advisory helps business owners make business decisions, identify what is holding their business back, improve profitability and cash flow, and plan for sustainable growth.
Learn more about what is Business Advisory and how it works.
Business Advisory and consulting services
We provide a full range of Business Advice and Small Business Advisory Services across construction and related industries within Australia.
Business strategy, planning and growth
Blaze Business & Legal assists with business planning and execution, business strategy and business growth strategies. Advisers work with owners to set business goals, prepare for business sales and valuations, assess market opportunities and competitive advantage, and determine whether the business has the resources to pursue organic growth or growth through acquisition.
Engagements can include market research, advice on investor and partner options, customer needs, commercialisation planning, innovation, capacity planning and business proposal reviews. An opportunity and risk matrix can help owners assess options before committing funds or management resources. Where necessary, advisers also identify the changes required to build the business’s management and operational capability.
Financial management and Virtual CFO
Shannon Drew provides strategic financial management, cash flow management and Virtual CFO services for construction businesses. His work includes budgeting, financial forecasting, advising on business funding options, preparing monthly management accounts, management reporting and financial oversight.
Cash flow planning and cash flow improvement advisory services can involve reviewing payment cycles, working capital, project costs and the timing of major commitments as well as liaising with mortgage brokers for funding support. Shannon also undertakes scenario planning and analyses pricing, margins, overheads and revenue to identify opportunities for profit improvement. Businesses requiring continuing support can engage him for external CFO advisory services and Virtual CFO solutions.
Management consulting and business improvement
Blaze Business & Legal provides management consulting, transformational improvement programs and business improvement services to construction businesses that need to improve performance, management systems or operational efficiency as well as deal with operational issues.
Engagements can include reviewing management responsibilities, human resources arrangements, project management, process optimisation, building institutional capability, disciplined execution of business transformation and improvement projects and accountability. Advisers also assist with change management and the coordination of owners, managers and staff when implementing new systems or processes. Where relevant, this work can support a commercialisation plan or a wider business performance improvement program.
Business structuring, succession and exit planning
Blaze Business & Legal provides business structure advice and structure reviews for construction businesses considering growth, corporate restructuring or changes in ownership. Rachelle Hare assists with business structuring, entity establishment, asset protection objectives and the commercial and legal arrangements involved in bringing on investors.
Succession Planning and business exit planning can include preparing for ownership transfers, business sales and discussions with potential buyers. Where a valuation is required, Blaze Business & Legal can coordinate the appropriate specialist input and help owners identify changes that may improve the value of their business before a sale.
Business funding and strategic business financial planning
Blaze Business & Legal assists construction businesses with strategic business financial planning, assessing business funding requirements and help preparing funding-ready financials working closely with your Accountant. Advisers review cash flow forecasts, borrowing requirements and funding options for growth, equipment purchases, acquisitions and major commercial commitments.
The work can include preparing funding-ready financial information, assessing investor and business partner options, and identifying the information banks and lenders require when taking out business loans or buying equipment. Where relevant, our Business Advisers can help owners investigate access to finance and grants and coordinate with finance brokers or other specialists. Regulated financial product advice remains with appropriately licensed financial advisers.
Commercial advice
Blaze Business & Legal provides Commercial Advice to construction business owners and decision-makers on contracts, procurement, commercial risk, governance and significant business decisions. Rachelle Hare draws on her experience as a Construction Lawyer and Commercial Manager to assess contractual commitments, payment arrangements, project profitability and commercial opportunities. Our advice helps owners understand the financial and operational consequences of their decisions, negotiate commercially workable arrangements and protect the profitability of their business.
Governance, compliance and risk management
Governance, business risk, risk management, financial controls, advisory board arrangements, key performance indicators (KPIs), commercial leases and contract risk as well as advising on intellectual property requirements. Compliance with Corporations Act 2001 laws, Directors’ Duties and the duty of care. Compliance with Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) requirements and assistance implementing full ESG reporting.
Blaze Business & Legal reviews responsibilities, reporting, delegated authority and commercial arrangements to support better oversight and strategic decisions.
Business coaching, business skills and implementation
Blaze Business & Legal provides practical advice and implementation assistance rather than a general motivational business coaching service. Our engagements can include business skills development, preparation of an opportunity/risk matrix, support accessing finance & grants, structured problem solving, getting value for money from your suppliers, marketing, SEO and business development assistance, providing objective feedback, hiring strategies, optimising resources, building a safe, equitable workplace, assistance in dealing with RTOs and educational institutions, a business scorecard, an advice brief or a business insights workshop.
Where relevant, advisers consider marketing and sales strategies, customer needs, operational systems and the resources required to deliver an agreed plan. Business owners can engage Blaze Business & Legal for a defined project or continuing support.
Construction Business Advisory case study examples
Civil contractor: Improving cash flow and project profitability
The challenge
A Brisbane civil contractor with annual revenue of $18.5 million had increased turnover but was experiencing cash flow pressure. The business had a strong pipeline of work, yet several projects were delivering lower margins than expected. The owners relied on financial reports that did not adequately identify cost overruns or forecast future cash requirements.
What Blaze Business & Legal did
Rachelle Hare and Shannon Drew reviewed the contractor’s financial performance, project margins, work in progress, cash flow forecasts and commercial commitments.
Shannon examined project cost reporting, overhead recovery, debtor collections and the contractor’s working capital requirements. Rachelle reviewed payment terms, procurement commitments and the commercial risks associated with accepting additional work.
They developed an improvement plan that introduced monthly project cost-to-complete reporting, a 13-week cash flow forecast and clearer tender approval requirements. Management also reviewed project pricing and introduced earlier reporting of forecast cost overruns.
The results
Over the following 12 months, the contractor achieved:
Project gross margins increased from 12.8% to 16.2%, representing an additional $629,000 in gross profit on $18.5 million of revenue, assuming the same revenue base.
Average debtor collection time fell from 58 to 43 days, improving the timing of customer receipts.
Average debtor balances fell by approximately $760,000, based on the reduction in collection days and annual revenue.
All 14 active projects were included in monthly cost-to-complete reporting, giving management earlier visibility of forecast losses and margin changes.
The owners used the improved reporting to assess new tenders, identify projects requiring attention and plan their cash requirements before taking on additional commitments.
Specialist subcontractor: Preparing for larger construction contracts
The challenge
A specialist mechanical services subcontractor with annual revenue of $7.8 million wanted to pursue larger commercial and infrastructure projects. Its existing contracts typically ranged from $250,000 to $750,000.
The owners had identified opportunities to tender for packages exceeding $1.5 million but were concerned about working capital, contractual exposure and whether their existing management team could deliver larger projects.
What Blaze Business & Legal did
Rachelle and Shannon reviewed the subcontractor’s business structure, management responsibilities, tendering procedures, project profitability and financial forecasts.
Rachelle assessed the commercial risks associated with larger head-contractor packages, including payment terms, security, variations, delay provisions and contractual liability. Shannon modelled the cash requirements of larger projects and reviewed pricing assumptions, overhead recovery and available working capital.
They developed a staged growth plan that introduced formal tender approval requirements, financial forecasts for larger projects, contract review procedures and clearer management responsibilities.
The subcontractor also revised its project reporting and introduced monthly reviews of forecast margins, variations and cash requirements.
The results
Over the following 18 months, the subcontractor achieved:
Average contract value increased from $520,000 to $1.15 million, allowing the business to pursue larger packages.
Project gross margins increased from 15.5% to 18.1% across completed projects during the review period.
Available working capital increased by $450,000, following changes to cash management and funding arrangements.
Every new contract above $500,000 underwent a formal commercial and financial review before acceptance.
The business secured 4 larger projects worth $6.4 million in total, while maintaining its revised tender approval and financial reporting procedures.
The owners had a clearer basis for deciding which projects to pursue, how much working capital each project required and whether the business had the resources to deliver the work. They were extremely happy with our Business Advisory Services Brisbane and around Australia.
Client Testimonial
Financial management and profitability
“We needed a better understanding of our project margins, cash flow and the financial performance of the business. Shannon helped us examine the numbers, identify where our management reporting needed improvement, work out what financial issues management should focus on next, and revise our prices so they actually made sense with our overheads. We now have better information for making decisions about pricing, project performance and future work.” Richard B., CEO, RTO and Equipment Hire, Sunshine Coast
Commercial advice and business strategy
“We engaged Rachelle to help us assess a significant business decision. Her experience across construction contracts, commercial management and business advisory meant she understood the wider consequences for our business. She helped us assess the options, identify the risks and decide what needed to happen before we proceeded.” Jake W., Managing Director, Civil Contractor, South Brisbane
How to engage Blaze Business & Legal
A 60-minute initial consultation through a Strategy Session costs $650 + GST with Rachelle Hare or Shannon Drew, or $750 + GST with both.
Further engagements are agreed according to the scope of the arrangement. Options include a fixed fee, hourly rate or fixed monthly fee for ongoing advisory support and business consulting. We confirm access arrangements and deliverables before work begins.
Blaze Business & Legal agrees the scope around the business issue, the information available and the decisions the owners and leadership team need to make. Engagements may cover one issue or several connected areas of the business.
Why choose Blaze Business & Legal?
Proactive advice across every stage of business
Rachelle Hare and Shannon Drew bring more than 50 years of combined experience in construction, commercial management, financial management and Business Advisory.
Rachelle is a Construction and Commercial Lawyer with extensive Commercial Management experience. Shannon is a Management Accountant, Virtual CFO and Business Adviser. Each of them have top business adviser credentials, and when combined, their ability to support their clients increases tenfold.
In terms of qualifications, registrations or certifications, Rachelle is bound by professional standards legislation, and she is listed on the Queensland Law Society’s professional registers. Both Rachelle and Shannon have university degrees, in Law and Management Accounting respectively, which sets them apart from many business coaches.
Blaze Business & Legal works alongside existing accountants, lawyers, mortgage brokers, insurance brokers and other advisers where specialist input or relevant certification and accreditation is required. Construction business owners from start-up to established business receive advice grounded in skills including project delivery, financial performance and commercial decision-making.
Blaze Business & Legal can coordinate input from accountants, tax advisers, lawyers and other professionals, consolidate their recommendations and help owners implement agreed actions for their company. We act as your advisory partners to help you make sense of the different advice and recommendations you get from your advisors and consultants. This is particularly useful where a business decision requires commercial, financial, legal and operational advice.
With skilled advice provided across your business life cycle, we advise, make recommendations and help you implement decisions and maximise the value of your business in Brisbane, Queensland and Australia. We also develop bespoke analytical tools or use our own tools to help you in your business operations and management.
Business Advisory Services we don’t provide
To help you decide whether we are the best Business Advisers for you, here are the services we do not provide:
- Business bookkeeper
- Export Advisers (we unfortunately don’t provide import or export advice)
- Innovation Advisers
- Franchise advice
- Tax Accounting Services, tax advice and Cloud Accounting
- Certified Practising Accountant
- Wealth management services
- Agile ways of working
- Financial Services and Financial Advice – we do not hold Australian Financial Services Licences or provide any Financial Services Guide.
- Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards
- Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS)
- FAQs About Business Advisory Services
What does a Business Adviser do?
Business Advisers provide an external perspective on financial performance, management, business strategy and commercial decisions. Their work may include financial analyses, business planning, business incubators or accelerators, risk assessment, advising on how to keep confidential information and implementation support.
How does Business Advisory differ from business coaching?
Business coaching generally concentrates on leadership, business skills and accountability. Blaze Business & Legal provides commercial, financial and management advice, supported by analysis and agreed implementation work.
Can Business Advisory improve cash flow and profitability?
Advisers can examine financial drivers, pricing, costs, overheads, management reporting and working capital requirements to identify commercially workable improvements.
Can Blaze Business & Legal help with business growth and succession?
Blaze Business & Legal advises on business growth strategies, ownership arrangements, management capacity, Succession Planning and exit preparation, including the commercial steps involved in preparing a business for sale. Our Consultants Brisbane, Qld and Australia support you on a wide range of scaling, growth and succession measures to help improve your business.
What does ongoing Business Advisory cost?
Fees depend on the services and agreed scope, with unlimited access to your advisor being the more expensive package. Blaze Business & Legal offers defined advisory projects and ongoing Virtual CFO or Commercial Management arrangements, with pricing agreed before commencement.
Get Business Advisory Support in Brisbane
Need help deciding what to do with your business, how to carry out a particular strategy, or help fixing a business issue?
Blaze Business & Legal helps construction business owners make informed commercial decisions, improve profitability and plan for the next stage of their business.
Book a Strategy Session or call (07) 3063 3373.
