A 45-minute business review session is only as good as the preparation going into it. Here's how to make every minute count.
Run your assessment first
The most common mistake founders make is booking a session before completing a diagnosis. Without a score and a section breakdown, the session becomes exploratory — you're paying for problem discovery when you could be paying for problem solving.
Run the BizClave assessment first. Come in with a score, a status, and a list of specific weak areas.
Identify your top three concerns
Before the session, write down the three things keeping you up at night. Not abstract worries — specific, concrete problems.
"Revenue is unpredictable" is too vague. "We close 60% of proposals but only generate 4 proposals per month" is something an expert can work with.
Bring your numbers
Even rough numbers are better than no numbers. Know your approximate monthly revenue, your biggest cost categories, and your customer acquisition method. You don't need audited accounts — you need enough context to have a real conversation.
Be honest about what's not working
Experts aren't there to validate your business. They're there to help you fix it. The founders who get the most out of sessions are the ones who lead with their problems rather than their pitch.
Leave with actions, not ideas
At the end of the session, you should have a list of specific actions — not a list of things to research or think about. If the session ends with vague ideas, ask directly: "What are the three most important things for me to do in the next 30 days?"
A good expert will give you a direct answer.