I asked the people I work with what they think about me, then I got nervous.

How Do You Know If a Business Advisor Is Any Good?

Each year, I ask clients one direct question:

‘On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend me to a friend or colleague if they were looking for business support?’

No prompts. No follow-ups. Just honest feedback.

The Results

• 2025 Net Promoter Score: 92
• 2024 Net Promoter Score: 72
• 2023 Net Promoter Score: 77

I have to say I am pretty stoked, because Bain & Company, who developed Net Promoter Score, consider scores above 70 to be world-class in professional services.

More importantly, they are consistent over time.

I asked folk how I could improve, and this is what they said

Every comment below is quoted exactly as written.

‘John's service to us is amazing and because of his knowledge and skills there's nothing I can fault him on.’

‘Your experience and guidance has been a huge asset to our business. I have no recommendations for improvement. Just a thank you!’

‘Agenda sent out before to be aware of discussion points and add additional if required.’

‘There is always great feedback from staff that you have worked with & your participation on the board has been very valuable.’

‘Comments from clients I work with who also work with you are always highly complimentary and grateful for the changes you help them to achieve in their business.’

‘I am really happy with the service you provide, sorry I cant think of anyways you could improve. I wish I could.’

‘Great communication, keeps the team on task and easy to talk to. Keep it up John! Thanks for everything over the year!’

‘It would be good to debate whether some of our board tasks should be on the list if they don't make the boat go faster.’

‘Perhaps remind me of the tasks I need to complete to make me more accountable.’

‘You have a genuine and active interest in the business and the people you work with. Which gives you deeper insights others wouldn’t pick up on, and questions others wouldn’t think to ask.’
‘Just keep doing what you're doing in how work with your clients.’

The value of advisory work is not more information. It is better decisions, made earlier. Repeated over time.

I am genuinely fortunate to work with thoughtful, engaged business owners who care about doing things properly and are open to challenge.

Thanks very much for reading and kind regards, Hutch.