We identify the right problem.
Many of our clients come to us with the problems they can’t fit neatly into other boxes. Sometimes they don’t know what their problem is, only that ‘something’ is missing or not right. Through expert engagement and facilitation, we help our clients to get to the critical questions behind their problems. We combine academic, commercial, and creative expertise to turn problems on their head and find solutions that make a real difference to our clients.

We create solutions that connect the present to the future.
Getting answers isn’t enough. In the fast changing world in which they have to succeed, our clients need solutions that will keep delivering results – and keep the people who do the work aligned and focused on delivering results. By working alongside our clients to turn our insights into visions, strategies, and policies we ensure that the solutions we develop make a real difference.

We generate real impact.
Ultimately, we know that what matters to our clients are practical and measurable outcomes. Our people provide a broad range of expertise, from branding to technology definition, from design to bespoke facilitation, from communication to partnership management. But our approach is always to work with our clients to ensure our work will continue to have an impact long after we have gone.

We think, and work, across boundaries.
The toughest problems faced by businesses and public sector bodies today tend to be those that involve inter-related activities, multiple stakeholders and high levels of uncertainty. We specialise in tackling these tough organisational challenges. Many service organisations have developed routine methodologies and processes to help their clients’ ability to reach their customers (mainly communications and marketing consultancies) or their ability to improve the way they run internally (mainly strategy, HR and change consultancies). The work that such organisations do is highly valuable and of great importance to their clients. Sometimes, however, specialisation in a particular ‘discipline’ can lead to silo-thinking, and ‘best practice’ routinisation can lead to an over-reliance on standard solutions. At SHM we do not limit ourselves to working in silos.