The decisions that matter most are often made alone.
Who should I hire? Should I raise my prices? Can I afford another location? Is this equipment worth purchasing? Should I borrow money? Is this customer relationship still profitable?
Some decisions are straightforward. Others can affect the financial health of the business for years. Owners often make these decisions while managing employees, serving customers, and handling daily operations. They know their businesses better than anyone. But being close to a problem can make certain details difficult to see. That is where a second pair of eyes becomes valuable.
What we examine
We examine the decision from every relevant angle.
Financial Impact
What will the decision actually cost? We examine relevant expenses, financial commitments, expected returns, and break-even requirements.
Cash-Flow Exposure
Can the business support the decision while waiting for the expected benefits? We examine available cash, payment timing, and financial obligations.
Customer Demand
Does the opportunity reflect demonstrated demand or assumptions about future sales? We examine the available evidence.
Operational Capacity
Can the business execute the decision successfully? We examine staffing, systems, owner responsibilities, and operating limitations.
Alternatives and Risks
Is there a smaller, less expensive, or more practical way to accomplish the same objective? We compare reasonable alternatives and identify the risks most relevant to the decision.
What you receive
One decision. One focused written assessment.
1. Our Assessment
A clear recommendation: Proceed. Proceed with changes. Wait. Do not proceed.
2. The Financial Analysis
Relevant costs, break-even requirements, cash considerations, and financial assumptions.
3. The Principal Risks
The factors most likely to affect the decision’s outcome.
4. Recommended Next Steps
Specific actions the owner can take to move forward, revise the plan, or investigate an unresolved issue.
5. Conditions That Could Change the Recommendation
The information or business conditions that would justify reconsidering the assessment.
6. Findings Review
An opportunity to discuss the written assessment with Groundwork and ask questions.
Example · fictional business
What does a Second Pair of Eyes actually look like?
Business decision: Hire a first full-time technician at $20 per hour.
Groundwork assessment: PROCEED WITH CHANGES
Supporting evidence: The business has signed work covering approximately 14 weeks of the proposed employee’s schedule.
Principal concerns: Available cash covers approximately three months of the additional payroll commitment. The planning scenario requires four months of coverage. Two customers account for most of the additional work.
Recommended next step: Collect outstanding customer invoices and evaluate a six-week part-time hiring arrangement before assuming the full-time commitment.
What would change the assessment? If signed work falls below eight weeks before the anticipated start date, reconsider the timing.
Bring us the decision in front of you.
Hiring Decisions
Hiring your first employee, adding another position, or expanding a team.
Pricing Decisions
Raising prices, changing service packages, or revising how customers are charged.
Expansion Decisions
Opening another location, adding a service area, or increasing operating capacity.
Equipment and Technology
Purchasing vehicles, equipment, software, or other business assets.
Borrowing and Financing
Evaluating the business implications of loans, lines of credit, and financing commitments.
Marketing Investments
Starting, increasing, or reallocating advertising expenditures.
Major Customer Decisions
Accepting a large customer, renegotiating terms, or evaluating customer profitability.
Contracts and Commitments
Considering major leases, vendor agreements, partnerships, or other substantial commitments.
Already made the decision? Groundwork can review the parts that remain within your control.
Four steps. A clearer decision.
Describe the decision, the available options, and when you need to act.
Provide the numbers and business details available to you. We identify anything else needed.
Financial implications, business conditions, relevant risks, and reasonable alternatives, starting from your goals and financial boundaries.
A written review with findings, recommendation, and practical next steps, plus a findings discussion.
Independent judgment. Grounded in business fundamentals.
We begin by understanding what the owner wants to accomplish. We then examine the business’s financial condition, customer demand, operating capacity, and available alternatives. Our analysis draws on established business-management principles, financial calculations, public research, and Groundwork’s internal advisory framework.
We distinguish measurable business conditions from assumptions. Our purpose is not to tell every business owner to grow. Our purpose is to help owners make better-informed business decisions.
Straightforward professional pricing
$100 per hour
One-hour minimum. Groundwork provides an estimated number of hours before beginning the engagement. Any additional work beyond the approved estimate requires the client’s authorization. Existing Groundwork clients may request a quote for additional advisory services.
Built for contractors, home-service companies, professional service providers, retail businesses, restaurants and food-service businesses, independent operators and growing small teams, throughout the United States.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Second Pair of Eyes review cost?
Reviews are billed at $100 per hour, with a one-hour minimum. Groundwork provides an estimated scope and cost before beginning the engagement.
How is this different from a Business Diagnostic?
A Business Diagnostic examines the broader business. A Second Pair of Eyes focuses on one specific decision and provides a written assessment of that decision.
What information do I need to provide?
Tell us what you’re deciding, when you need to decide, and what financial or operational information you have available. We will identify any additional information required.
Will Groundwork recommend against a decision?
Yes. If the financial or operational evidence does not support proceeding, our assessment will explain why.
Who makes the final decision?
The business owner. Groundwork provides independent analysis and recommendations.
Can Groundwork review a decision I’ve already made?
Yes. We can evaluate aspects that remain open to adjustment, including timing, cost, scope, and implementation.
Is my business information confidential?
Groundwork treats client business information as confidential and handles engagement information according to its applicable client agreements and privacy practices.
How long does the review take?
Groundwork confirms the expected turnaround when the scope of the engagement is established.
Request a Second Pair of Eyes
Tell us about the decision in front of you. Groundwork will confirm the scope and estimated cost before the engagement begins.