Why Consultation Comes First: The Foundation of Smarter Training and Sustainable Club Growth
- Greg Hungerford
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
In working with club leadership teams, I often see well-intentioned decisions made too quickly—particularly when it comes to professional development and funding strategies. Programs are selected, lending conversations begin, and investments are made… all before one critical step has been properly completed: consultation.
Consultation is not a formality. It is the foundation.
Without a clear understanding of a club’s operational reality, leadership capability, financial position, and strategic ambition, even the best training programs or funding solutions risk missing the mark. When done well, consultation aligns people, performance, and capital in a way that drives meaningful, long-term outcomes.
Tailoring Training That Actually Works
No two clubs are the same. Different teams, different challenges, different opportunities.
That’s why a “one-size-fits-all” approach to training rarely delivers sustained impact.
Through consultation, we uncover key insights:
Where are the capability gaps?
Who are the emerging leaders versus the experienced operators?
What does the club actually need now versus in 12–24 months?
From there, training becomes targeted—not generic.
For individuals stepping into broader leadership roles, the Club Managers Leadership and Management Program provides a structured, flexible pathway to build capability across financial management, leadership, and operations.
For clubs seeking whole-of-team development, Club Management Workshops can be tailored and delivered in alignment with the club’s immediate priorities.
And for those wanting a practical starting point, the Club Managers Webinar Series offers targeted, real-world insights into key leadership and operational topics.
The common thread? Each pathway becomes significantly more effective when informed by upfront consultation. Training should not just educate—it should solve real problems within the club.
Positioning Finance for Growth, Not Just Access
The same principle applies when clubs begin exploring finance and lending options.
Too often, the conversation starts with: “What can we borrow?”
A better question is: “What are we trying to achieve—and what is the most appropriate way to fund it?”
Consultation allows us to step back and assess:
The club’s current financial position and cash flow
Strategic priorities (renovation, expansion, member experience, asset optimisation)
Risk appetite and repayment capacity
Timing and sequencing of investments
Only then can finance be positioned correctly.
Through elevateB Financial, the focus is not simply on accessing lending—it’s about structuring finance solutions that align with the club’s broader strategy and operational readiness.
This approach ensures that funding supports sustainable growth, rather than creating pressure or misalignment. It also opens the door to more tailored lending structures, negotiated with a clear understanding of the club’s objectives and long-term direction.
When finance is approached this way, it becomes an enabler—not just a transaction.
The Multiplier Effect of Getting It Right Early
When consultation leads the process, two powerful outcomes emerge.
First, training becomes more relevant and impactful. Individuals develop the skills that matter most, and clubs build capability where it is actually needed.
Second, financial decisions become more strategic. Capital is deployed with purpose, aligned to both operational readiness and future growth.
Together, this creates a multiplier effect—where people's capabilities and financial investment reinforce each other.
Final Thought
Clubs operate in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. The margin for error—whether in people development or capital investment—is shrinking.
The clubs that move forward with confidence are not necessarily the ones that act fastest—but the ones that take the time to understand first.
Consult first. Then tailor.
Because the quality of the outcome is ultimately determined by the quality of the input.
Comments