I like data. So for the eight years since I set up my consultancy, I've tracked when enquiries come in across the year.
Every single year there are two big spikes: 10 to 23 December, and mid to late February. If you're thinking about bringing in a consultant in 2027, here's why it's worth starting the search earlier.
The December spike
Mid to late December is when I see the most consultancy tenders, and the most enquiries for larger, complex projects untangling thorny volunteering and fundraising issues.
I completely understand how this happens. December is chaos for everyone, and procurement gets squeezed into the last possible moment. But it does cause problems.
In my experience, good consultants are often booked three to six months ahead, so leaving it until the final week before Christmas can really limit your choice. And just like your colleagues, consultants are busy in December too. We're delivering existing work, finishing year-end projects, looking after children who've broken up for the holidays, buying presents, or, like me, finishing a little early for a well-earned rest. Not many will be able to drop everything and write a major proposal at 48 hours' notice.
The February spike
This one is just as predictable. It's the "we've found an underspend and need to use it before year end" moment.
With so many projects running up to the end of the financial year, or starting straight after it, good consultants may not have the capacity to turn a project around quickly in those last few weeks.
Most of the requests I get at these busy times are for strategy support. Leaving it so late isn't very strategic.
A simple timeline for a project starting in April
October to November: decide what you need help with, and start informal conversations with a few consultants
Early December: share your brief, before everyone winds down for Christmas
January: proposals in, conversations held, decision made
February to March: scoping, contracts and getting to know each other
April: work begins
[Laura: check this matches how you'd like clients to plan.]
What a good brief includes
You don't need a polished tender document to start a conversation. A good brief usually covers:
a little background on your organisation and why this work matters now
what you'd like to be different by the end
what's in and out of scope
a budget range, even a rough one
your ideal timeline and any fixed deadlines
who will be involved on your side, and how you'll make your decision
Why starting early pays off
Taking time a few months ahead to scope what you need and contact providers is always less work than cramming it in at the last minute. It also means you'll have a wider and more diverse choice of experts, time for proper scoping, time to build a good working relationship, and ultimately the right fit rather than whoever happens to be free.
So if "bring in a consultant" has been slipping down your to-do list, here's a gentle nudge not to leave it until Christmas. If you'd like to talk through a project for next year, I'd be very happy to have a chat.