Practice

9 min read

What a good diagnostic actually contains

Before you pay for a diagnostic, know what you should get back. Here is what ours contains and why.

Nora Aldermere

Founding partner

Written by

Nora Aldermere

Founding partner

A diagnostic is the shortest engagement we run, and the one most often done badly. It should leave you with a decision, not a deck.

A one-page answer

The finding, in words you could repeat to a colleague. If it needs a page of caveats, we have not found it yet.

Evidence you can check

Every claim points to something you can look at: an order, a set of accounts, a conversation you can have yourself.

A fixed quote for what follows

You should leave knowing the price of the next step, and free to do it without us.

The Aldermere Letter

One essay a month, short enough to read on the train.

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Thirty minutes, free, and no slides.

The Aldermere Letter

One essay a month on running a business well. Short enough to read on the train.

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4 Wool Hall Lane

Bristol BS1 5QH

Mon to Fri, 9 to 5:30

Aldermere

© 2026 Aldermere Advisory Ltd, Bristol

© 2026 Aldermere Advisory Ltd, Bristol

Independent since 2011 · Fixed fees · No lock-in

Independent since 2011 · Fixed fees · No lock-in

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