Frequently Asked Questions

Why would I choose x42 instead of a larger organisation?

You work directly with me, John McKenzie, the founder and principal consultant of x42. I am personally invested in your success. Unlike larger firms, there’s no handover to junior staff or generic, one-size-fits-all solutions. I lead every engagement, ensuring you receive tailored advice, senior expertise, and a high level of responsiveness. I take the time to understand your unique challenges and deliver practical, actionable solutions that make a real difference. My approach is collaborative, flexible, and completely focused on your outcomes, not on upselling or fitting you into a standard process. With x42, you get big firm execution with the care, attention, and agility of a dedicated partner.

Who do you work with?
 

​Our clients are primarily small to medium-sized enterprises, not-for-profits, government agencies, NGOs, and professional service organisations with teams of 10 to 200 staff.

How does the “trusted advisor partnership” with x42 work?

If you’re looking for maximum value, a trusted advisor partnership is a must have. You gain ongoing, retained access to senior expertise and personalised advice tailored to your specific needs. I work closely with you as a genuine partner, providing proactive support, practical solutions, and a confidential sounding board whenever you need it. This partnership means you have someone invested in your success, helping you make better decisions and navigate challenges with confidence.

I’m the only one who knows how everything works, and it’s exhausting. How do you help founders like me build a self-sustaining business?

We work with you to extract and document your operational knowledge, then build frameworks that empower your team to take ownership. Our approach ensures that your business can run independently of any one person, reducing risk and giving you peace of mind.

I’m constantly firefighting and can’t step away from daily operations. How can x42 help me get off the front line?
 

We specialise in helping founders and owners break free from day-to-day firefighting. x42 will map your current workflows, identify bottlenecks, and design streamlined processes that enable you to delegate with confidence. Our support allows you to focus on growth and strategy, not just putting out fires.

How quickly can you start addressing our challenges?

​We can typically begin with an initial consultation within a week. After understanding your unique situation, we’ll tailor an action plan and start delivering support right away.

Our processes are inconsistent and things fall through the cracks when I’m not there. What can you do to fix this?

x42 conducts a thorough review of your critical processes and creates clear, documented procedures. We help you implement simple systems and training so your team can operate smoothly and reliably—even when you’re away. This reduces errors and builds business resilience.

How do you protect client confidentiality and intellectual property?

All Intellectual Property developed specifically for a client during the engagement remains the property of the client. x42 adheres to strict confidentiality protocols and complies with the Australian Privacy Principles outlined in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) as well as internal information security processes to ensure that sensitive data is maintained in a secure environment.

Do you offer support for staff development and performance reviews?

​Yes, we are expanding our retained services to include staff development and performance review support. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs.

Our team isn’t aligned, and it’s affecting performance. How can x42 help?

We specialise in diagnosing and resolving team misalignment. x42 works with your leadership and staff to identify root causes, clarify roles and responsibilities, and implement frameworks that foster alignment and accountability. This leads to improved morale, better outcomes, and a more cohesive team.

We don’t have the internal resources for a full-time operations manager. Can you still help?

Yes. Our fractional operations management service gives you access to senior operational expertise on a flexible, part-time basis. You get the benefit of experienced leadership without the commitment or cost of a full-time hire.