What was said
What this says
As at Fri 9 Oct 2026Marcus Bell asked Craig Ashwell for a check-in after usage eased. Craig admitted project managers went back to spreadsheets and set a test: show variations and client signatures in one view. A Thursday morning call was agreed.
Ask: Marcus proposed a check-in on usage and the contract running to 22 Aug 2026. Craig accepted and asked for the numbers.
Customer view: Craig said the project managers have gone back to their old spreadsheets on a couple of jobs. His test is simple: see the variation and what the client has signed without chasing three people. If the brain does not do that, he wants to be told.
Next: Marcus will share his screen on Thursday, check how variations and signed documents show per client, and bring Priya in for the renewal part afterwards.
The thread
Updated 9 Oct 26Messages
- Marcus Bell 8 May 2026 13:18Hi Craig, I hope the fit-outs are going well. I wanted to get a check-in in the diary before the summer gets busy. I've pulled the numbers for the last few months and I'd like to walk you through them. In short: - you have 40 licensed users, but only a handful of people are in the brain on a typical day - questions asked have eased off a little compared with the start of the year - the commercial and credit-control teams are using it, but the project side seems quieter than it was None of that is dramatic, but I'd like to understand what is working for your teams and where it has stopped being useful. Your contract runs to 22 Aug 2026, so it also makes sense to talk about what you want from the brain going forward, and I'd bring Priya in for that part. Happy to jump on a call. Shall we book half an hour next week? Thanks, Marcus
- Craig Ashwell 11 May 2026 09:20Marcus, Fair enough. We've been flat out on site and I'll be honest, the project managers have gone back to their old spreadsheets on a couple of jobs. That's on me as much as anyone. What I need is simple. Where's the variation, what has the client signed, and can I see it without chasing three people? If the brain does that, I'll push the team to use it. If it doesn't, tell me. The invoice query is a finance matter, so I'll leave that with Debbie. Thursday morning works if you can do it. Bring the numbers. Craig
- Marcus Bell 11 May 2026 10:46Hi Craig, Thanks, that's really helpful and straight to the point. Thursday morning is fine. I'll send an invite for half an hour and share my screen so we can look at how variations and signed documents show up per client. If something isn't connected the way it should be, we'll find out then and I'll take it back to the team. I'll also bring a view of who is asking the questions, so we can see where a bit of help getting the project managers back in would pay off. I'll copy Priya in for the renewal part afterwards rather than load it all onto Thursday. Thanks, Marcus