Understand
Resolve the most important uncertainty and establish a usable direction.
Accessible first steps · Five-client paid pilot
Focused reviews for a clearer next move.
Three tightly scoped, founder-reviewed services for clients who need professional clarity before commissioning a larger strategy or development project.
Choose the immediate problem
Diagnosis, priorities and a practical action document.
These are not cut-price versions of full consultancy. Each review covers one defined idea, project or marketing objective, uses bounded research and includes human quality control. Pilot places are limited while C.I.S. measures delivery time, usefulness and client outcomes.
A new C.I.S. starting point
Start with a structured signal—not a sixty-second verdict.
The free Cultural & Commercial Potential Diagnostic examines purpose, audience relevance, cultural intelligence, community legitimacy, distinctiveness, commercial potential, delivery readiness and evidence strength. It identifies the weakest assumption and one immediate action. It does not claim to prove demand.
Assess your idea →A signature C.I.S. method
A roadmap designed for decisions—not decoration.
The C.I.S. 90-Day Intelligence Roadmap turns findings into focused action and learning. It shows what to understand, test and decide, while making evidence, cultural context and responsibility visible.
Explore the intelligence roadmap →Test
Gather proportionate evidence through focused actions, conversations or research.
Decide
Use what has been learned to proceed, revise, pause or invest further.
After the first diagnosis
Test the idea under different conditions.
The Cultural Intelligence Simulation Lab helps expose assumptions, consider cultural interpretation, challenge weak logic and decide what should be validated before greater commitment.
Explore the Simulation Lab →01
Artists, creative entrepreneurs, founders, event originators and independent brands.
Idea Clarity & Validation Review
Clarify what is strong, what remains an assumption and what to test before investing more time or money.
What you receive
- Cultural & Commercial Potential assessment across eight dimensions
- Pre-work questionnaire and assumption map
- Up to 45 minutes of focused UK desk research
- 60-minute online clarity session
- Three-to-four-page Validation Snapshot with a recommended test
- Prioritised 90-Day Development Roadmap
- One consolidated clarification round
Scope boundary: No customer interviews, surveys, financial forecasts, legal or IP advice, technical feasibility assessment or guarantee of demand.
Discuss this review →02
Artists, community groups, CICs, charities and cultural programmes with a developed concept or draft.
Project & Funding Readiness Review
Find the weaknesses in a project or funding application before they become expensive or delay progress.
What you receive
- Review of one concept note or draft of up to 12 pages
- Headline-budget review where supplied
- Scored readiness checklist
- Feedback report of up to four pages
- Prioritised 90-Day Readiness Roadmap
- 30-minute online debrief and one clarification round
Scope boundary: No funding search, bid writing, line-by-line rewriting, budget creation, submission, funder liaison or guarantee of funding.
Discuss this review →03
Artists, events, community programmes and small independent businesses with one immediate objective.
Marketing Direction Starter
Replace scattered promotion with one clear objective, priority audience, stronger message and realistic four-week direction.
What you receive
- Pre-session questionnaire and review of up to three links or assets
- 60-minute online direction session
- Three-to-four-page Marketing Direction Plan
- Three channel priorities and a four-week roadmap
- Five tailored content prompts and one clarification round
Scope boundary: No full marketing or brand strategy, content production, design, posting, paid advertising, SEO audit or campaign management.
Discuss this review →What every review protects
Evidence-conscious. Human-reviewed. Clear about uncertainty.
C.I.S. may use research tools and AI to increase depth and consistency, but evidence is checked and final judgement remains human-led. No review guarantees demand, funding, sales, attendance or project success.
Starter Review FAQs
Clear scope.
No false promises.
Straight answers about what the pilot reviews include—and the boundaries that protect the quality of the work.
What makes the C.I.S. 90-Day Intelligence Roadmap different from a generic action plan?
It is built from the findings of your review, not from a standard template alone. Each priority connects a reason, practical action, cultural consideration, intended result and the evidence or decision needed next. It also separates what matters now from what can responsibly wait.
Which Starter Reviews include a roadmap?
The Idea Clarity & Validation Review and Project & Funding Readiness Review include a tailored 90-day roadmap. The Marketing Direction Starter includes a more focused four-week roadmap suited to its narrower marketing objective.
Will the roadmap tell me everything I should do for the next 90 days?
It is deliberately prioritised rather than exhaustive. The purpose is to identify the few actions most likely to improve clarity, readiness or evidence without creating an unrealistic list of tasks.
Will the Idea Clarity & Validation Review prove that my idea will work?
No. It identifies strengths, assumptions, evidence gaps and sensible next tests. It cannot guarantee demand or commercial success.
Do you contact potential customers as part of the validation review?
No. The Starter Review uses focused desk research and a clarity session. Customer interviews, surveys and primary research would need a separately scoped engagement.
Can I use my review with partners or collaborators?
Yes. The concise action document can help you explain the current position, priorities and next steps, while remaining clear about what has and has not yet been validated.
Is the Project & Funding Readiness Review a complete project plan or funding application?
No. It is a diagnostic review of one supplied concept or draft. It does not include bid writing, a full project plan, budget creation, submission or funder liaison.
Will the review make my project fundable?
It can identify weaknesses and improve readiness, but it cannot guarantee eligibility, a successful application or funding.
Will the Marketing Direction Starter create and post my content?
No. It provides a focused direction, channel priorities, a four-week roadmap and tailored prompts. Content production, design, posting, advertising and campaign management are outside the Starter scope.
Can a Starter Review cover several ideas, projects or campaigns?
Each review covers one clearly defined idea, project, draft or immediate marketing objective. Wider or multiple priorities require a separately scoped engagement.
Not sure which review fits?
Tell us what you are trying to move forward.
We will assess whether one of these starter reviews is suitable—or tell you honestly if another route would serve you better.
Discuss your project →