Frequently Asked Questions

Who are your typical clients?

Business owners and CEOs of companies with €5M-€500M in annual turnover. Europe including Ukraine, Central Asia, Transcaucasia. FMCG, retail, manufacturing, PE-backed businesses. The common denominator is not size - it's complexity: decisions carry real financial consequences and require someone who has been in that room before.

Do you work with businesses outside these geographies or industries?

Yes, if the problem matches my expertise. My deep track record is in Europe and Central Asia, FMCG, beverages, and retail. But the mechanics of profitable growth, turnarounds, and transformation are not geography- or industry-specific. If your business has a commercial function, pricing dynamics, and a P&L - reach out and we'll assess fit.

What does an engagement with you actually look like?

It starts with a free 30-minute call - no pitch, no pressure. I ask about your situation; you ask what you need. If there's a fit, I propose a format and scope. If there isn't, I'll tell you directly. From there: a written scope, a contract, and we get to work.

What is an Interim CEO and when is it needed?

A temporary executive who steps in during leadership transitions, crises, or critical transformation periods - minimum 3 months. Needed when the board requires someone to stabilize performance, execute a turnaround, or bridge strategy to operations with accountability. Not a consultant who advises and leaves. Priced individually based on scope and duration.

Have you worked in conflict zones or high-risk environments?

Yes. I led a 3,000-person organization through political crisis, active military conflict, market collapse, and brand boycott - simultaneously. The Crisis Readiness offer is built from that experience, not theory.

Why fixed pricing instead of hourly billing?

I don't sell hours, I sell solutions. You know the cost before we start. No timesheets, no scope creep, no invoice surprises. Fixed scope means both sides are aligned on the result, not the process.

Do you offer alternative compensation arrangements?

Yes, for long-term advisory or interim management where business outcomes are clearly measurable. Compensation can be success-based fees, equity participation, or these alongside fixed pricing - structured individually per engagement. For the diagnostic and process installation the price stays fixed, because there I sell solutions and execution rests with the client.

What are your payment terms?

50% upfront after scope is agreed and the contract is signed. 50% upon completion. This is standard and fair practice: the upfront payment confirms commitment on your side; the post-payment gives you leverage to ensure delivery on mine. Both parties carry equal skin in the game throughout the engagement.

What formats are there, and how much do they cost?

The formats are built as a ladder by depth and duration. Deep diagnostic (€5,000, credited toward the next format): a view of the business through the eyes of a buyer or incoming CEO - an honest picture and a plan for the first steps. Process installation (from €15,000) is the core format: I install a working management process and personally run the first cycle with the team, leaving a mechanism that runs without me. Projects (priced individually): large turnkey assignments - route-to-market relaunch, brand-portfolio architecture, new-market entry, digital transformation, turnaround. Owner advisory (€7,800/month): ongoing support for the owner or board. Interim and crisis management (individual, from three months): I take operational responsibility as a principal. On-site work (€2,500/day plus travel) is an add-on to any format.

What does "support period" mean in each engagement?

After the main engagement, I remain available for questions, quick calls, and follow-up on implementation. It's structured follow-through - not unlimited access, but enough to make sure recommendations don't sit in a drawer.

Can the standard engagements be adapted to my situation?

Most serious engagements require some adaptation. The published formats (diagnostic, process installation, advisory, on-site) set scope and pricing expectations: they're a starting point, not a fixed frame. Projects and interim management are always custom. Crisis Readiness has a fixed scope and a single price. Everything else can be scoped to fit.

What is your track record?

20+ years in CEO and senior executive roles, most of it at the Carlsberg Group. Led Carlsberg Ukraine to #1 market position and 8% of group's global operating profit. Delivered 2.4x EBITDA growth at Carlsberg Latvia. Captured 90% of Uzbekistan's profit pool at Carlsberg Uzbekistan. Managed commercial organizations of 8,000+ people. Forbes Top-3 CEO in Ukraine (2020). Former board member at AmCham Ukraine and UN Global Compact.

What makes you different from typical management consultants?

Three things. 1. Published fixed prices: you buy solutions, not hours. No scope creep, no invoice surprises. 2. Hands-on operational execution, not just recommendations. I've run P&Ls, managed 8,000-person organizations, and delivered results in markets where things go wrong. 3. I work directly with leadership - no large consulting teams, no PowerPoint theater.

How is confidentiality handled?

All engagements start with a mutual NDA. Confidentiality is a professional baseline. Case studies on this site are at least 6 years old and have details changed to protect identity.