Our services
Three ways to bring an outside operational perspective to your family business
Each service is defined, priced in advance, and includes a written output. There are no variable arrangements or open-ended commitments.
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Our approach to operational advisory
Each Cinderlane engagement begins with a clear statement of scope. We establish what we will work on — operational matters only — and what falls outside that scope and should be handled by a qualified legal or financial professional. This happens before any work begins, not after the relationship is already underway.
We listen before writing. The written summary or session record that concludes each engagement reflects what was actually said, not what a template suggests a family business should be saying. If the business has an unusual configuration, the written output will reflect that.
We do not use a single prescribed methodology across all clients. The Operational Review, the Council Facilitation session, and the Sounding-Board each have a structure — but within that structure, the content is shaped by the specific business and the specific conversation that takes place.
Service 01
Family Business Operational Review
A four-week structured review of how an owner-operator family business runs its day-to-day operations, separate from any questions of ownership or shareholding. Includes interviews with key family members and senior non-family staff, a written summary of operational strengths and stresses, and a short note on roles and responsibilities. Suitable for businesses with up to 100 staff.
- Interviews with family members and senior non-family staff
- Written summary of operational strengths and stresses
- Short note on roles and responsibilities
- Scope limited to operational matters; ownership and legal topics referred
- Suitable for businesses with up to 100 staff
Process
- Initial scoping conversation (no charge)
- Interviews with key family and non-family staff — weeks 1–2
- Analysis and written summary preparation — week 3
- Delivery and debrief — week 4
Service 02
Family Council Facilitation (Operational Topics)
A half-day facilitated session for a family business council, focused entirely on operational topics such as succession of management roles, staff communication, and internal governance. The session is conversation-led and ends with a one-page written summary of agreed next steps. Topics involving ownership, shares, taxation, or estate planning are referred to qualified professional advisors.
- Half-day structured facilitation session
- Conversation-led with no imposed agenda
- One-page written summary of agreed next steps
- Standalone — no ongoing commitment required
Process
- Pre-session scoping conversation to confirm agenda
- Half-day facilitated session with council members
- Written one-page summary delivered within three working days
Service 03
Family Business Sounding-Board
A monthly arrangement for family business owners and senior leaders who want a quiet outside companion for operational conversations. Includes two scheduled calls per month, written notes after each call, and discreet review of internal materials shared ahead of conversations. Topics outside operational scope are referred to appropriate professional advisors.
- Two scheduled calls per month
- Written notes delivered after each call
- Discreet review of internal materials shared in advance
- Initial period of three months; continues month by month thereafter
- Out-of-scope topics referred with appropriate professional guidance
Process
- Initial conversation to confirm fit and scope
- Two calls per month at agreed times
- Written notes sent within two working days of each call
- Review of materials shared ahead of next call
Choosing a service
Which service is right for your situation?
Use this table to identify which service fits your current need. If you are unsure, the initial conversation will help clarify.
| Feature | Operational Review | Council Facilitation | Sounding-Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 weeks | Half day | Monthly |
| Interviews with non-family staff | |||
| Written output included | |||
| Ongoing monthly relationship | |||
| Suitable as standalone engagement | |||
| Price (SGD) | S$890 | S$230 | S$420/mo |
Best for
Operational Review
Businesses that have grown to a point where informal arrangements are starting to show strain and need a clear outside picture of how things actually run.
Best for
Council Facilitation
Family councils that need a specific operational conversation facilitated by someone outside the family — and want a clear written record of what was agreed.
Best for
Sounding-Board
Owners and senior leaders who find ongoing operational questions easier to navigate with a consistent outside voice — someone who listens without agenda and writes up what matters.
Standards
Professional standards across all services
Confidentiality
All client information handled as confidential. NDA available on request before any engagement begins.
Written deliverables
Every engagement produces a written output as described in the service. This is not optional — it is part of the engagement.
Appropriate referral
Legal, financial and taxation topics are referred to qualified professionals. We do not work outside our competence.
PDPA compliance
Client data and shared materials handled in accordance with Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act 2012.
Pricing
All prices in Singapore dollars, stated in advance
Operational Review
S$890
per engagement
- Four-week structured review
- Staff interviews included
- Written summary delivered
- Roles and responsibilities note
Council Facilitation
S$230
per session
- Half-day facilitated session
- One-page written summary
- No ongoing commitment
- Standalone engagement
Sounding-Board
S$420
per month
- Two calls per month
- Written notes after each call
- Materials review in advance
- 3-month initial period
Next steps
Not sure which service fits your situation?
We offer a brief initial conversation at no charge, where we can listen to what the business is working through and say clearly whether any of our services would be a useful fit.
Book an Initial Conversation