The senior expertise is clear, though the lack of fixed pricing structures makes initial budgeting slightly challenging for new clients.
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What reviewers say about Kevin Ball
Customers frequently comment on the strength of Kevin Ball's senior background and the flexibility of his engagement models, while some note that the lack of fixed pricing and clearly defined terms can make initial budgeting challenging.
What is Kevin Ball?
Kevin Ball is a 65-year-old Oxford-based consultant offering project management, research, and chief-of-staff services on an hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly basis. He helps clients with tasks like completing overdue manuscripts, organising archival collections, and providing senior operations support to small organisations. His background includes thirty years of senior roles in large technology, financial services, and telecoms organisations.
Who is this service for?
The business is for individuals with late manuscripts needing a plan, archives requiring cataloguing, and small organisations needing a part-time senior operations leader. Clients also include founders seeking a researcher with judgement for projects requiring careful, intelligent work rather than mere gathering.
How does the engagement process work?
Clients can start with a single day to identify where a project is stuck, then move to hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly arrangements. Rates are available on asking, and terms are kept simple until there is something worth agreeing upon.
Where is the business located and what areas does it serve?
The website states that the service is based in Oxford, though the consultant works with clients remotely on tasks such as manuscript completion and archival organisation. The business operates on an hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly basis depending on the client's needs.
How long has this business been operating?
The business has existed for thirty years in senior roles within large organisations, though the current consulting practice is now based in Oxford. The consultant currently reads English and writes on Elizabeth Bowen's wartime fiction.
How can I get in touch with Kevin Ball?
Clients can contact the business via the email address kevinjamesball.com or through the website kevinjamesball.com. The consultant also writes regularly on Substack and appears on LinkedIn for those who prefer to observe from a safe distance first.
What certifications and qualifications does the business hold?
The consultant holds an MBA and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. He is also an EMCC-accredited coach and mentor, a qualified mediator, and a graduate of the Financial Times' Non-Executive Director programme.
What makes this consultant different from competitors?
The website mentions that the consultant has an MBA and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, which distinguishes his background from typical project managers. He also holds an EMCC accreditation for coaching and mentoring.
What specific products or services are offered?
The business offers a specific service of completing overdue manuscripts by providing a plan and someone to hold the project. Another distinct service is organising and cataloguing archival collections for estates or life's papers.
What is the core philosophy of the business?
The consultant describes himself as a 'finisher' who has spent thirty years getting difficult things finished, mostly through people who didn't report to him. He now applies this skill to other people's complicated things that need finishing.
What should a first-time customer know before booking?
The business offers a 'safe distance' option where clients can watch the consultant write on Substack and follow on LinkedIn before committing to a full engagement. This allows potential clients to observe the consultant's work without immediate involvement.
What unique terms does the business use?
The consultant uses the term 'chef de cabinet' to describe his role, alongside researcher, project manager, and finisher. He also refers to himself as a 'Situations Wanted Man' on his website.
What recent activities does the consultant engage in?
The website states that the consultant is currently reading for an English degree, forty years late, and writing on fear and suspicion in Elizabeth Bowen's wartime fiction. This literary focus is a unique detail about the consultant's current activities.
What is the official website of Kevin Ball?
The official website of Kevin Ball is kevinjamesball.com.
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4 Reviews
While the professional background is impressive, the fundamental commercial terms are notably vague. The website states rates are on asking and terms are kept simple until there is something worth agreeing upon, which leaves significant ambiguity regarding the final cost structure. For someone considering this company, the lack of clear pricing tiers or defined service packages means that budgeting can be difficult. The process involves starting with a day to identify where a project is stuck, which is a reasonable approach, but it does not clarify what happens if that initial day does not lead to a broader engagement. The mention of 'chaos' as a desired state is intriguing, but it is unclear if this is a standard offering or a specific niche. Without explicit details on what is included in the hourly or daily rates, clients may face unexpected costs. The service seems tailored for senior-level intervention rather than routine tasks, which is a crucial distinction. Potential clients should be aware that the simplicity of terms could also mean a lack of protective clauses for the buyer. It is essential to get everything in writing before proceeding, as the default position appears to be flexible and informal. The emphasis on 'finishing' things is compelling, but the mechanism for measuring that success is not detailed. Overall, the offering is intriguing but requires careful negotiation to ensure that the 'simple' terms do not become complicated later in the relationship.
The blend of executive experience with creative project management offers a unique range of services that appear well-suited for complex organizational challenges requiring both structure and judgment.
The flexible engagement models and clear starting point for projects make this service highly accessible for immediate needs.
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About Kevin Ball
Kevin Ball is an Oxford-based consultant offering project management, research, and chief-of-staff services on an hourly, daily, monthly, or yearly basis. He works with clients on tasks such as completing overdue manuscripts, organising and cataloguing archival collections, providing part-time senior operations support to small organisations, and conducting research requiring careful judgement. His background includes thirty years of senior roles in large organisations across technology, financial services, and telecoms, as well as experience as a non-executive director. He holds an MBA and several professional qualifications, and currently also reads English and writes on Elizabeth Bowen's work.
- Website
- kevinjamesball.com
- [email protected]
- Categories
- Management consulting
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