Report Design Direction.
You already have a recurring report. The logic works. The problem is that the page isn't doing its job. I'll tell you what's not landing and what to fix first, then show you where to take it. You make the changes.
For one already-built recurring Excel report you'll improve yourself.
A 10-15 minute recorded teardown and a one-page priority plan, plus one redesigned screen or section direction.
Completed after your project is approved and paid.
✓This is for you if…
- You have a real report.A dashboard, workbook, or other reporting deliverable that's mostly built and communicates something to a real audience. Raw data on its own doesn't count.
- The report recurs.It's a monthly, quarterly, board, financial, KPI, or management report, not a one-off spreadsheet you're still figuring out.
- You know who it's for and what it's for.You can tell me in a sentence who the audience is and what decision the report should drive. If you can't, the report isn't ready for this kind of work yet.
- You want async, focused work.No calls, no meetings, no revision cycles. If you need that, I have consulting services for larger engagements.
- You'll implement it.You get senior design direction and one concrete screen or section direction. This isn't a rebuild or a technical repair.
×Do not proceed if…
- You need a full rebuild.I can not fully redesign your report at this budget.
- What you have is not a recurring report.Raw data, an internal tool, a financial model, or a still-changing workbook is not the right input for this offer.
- You need formula, automation, or data work.VBA, Power Query, Power Pivot, formula debugging, data pipelines, none of this is in scope.
- You need someone to own the project.Stakeholder process, implementation, a full redesign, or a sprawling legacy workbook is consulting work.
- You need procurement, NDAs, vendor onboarding, or security review.All fine, all real, all bigger than a $1k engagement.
See if it fits
No workbook, brand guide, or ten-question homework assignment yet. Give me the short version first. If it fits, I'll tell you exactly what to send next.
There's no charge to ask. If accepted, I'll send payment instructions for the flat $1,000 direction and deliver within 5 business days after payment.
You're all set.
Your project has been successfully submitted.
I'll review everything you sent and get back to you within 1–3 business days. Keep an eye on the email address you provided.
Questions in the meantime? cottrell@hey.com
Still have some questions?
What do I need to send?
To ask, you only need the short version: what the recurring report is, who uses it, what decision it should support, and what's not landing.
A share link or screenshots are optional if they're easy. Don't upload confidential files at this stage. If the fit is right, I'll ask for the specific report material I need.
What if I can't share real data or my file contains sensitive information?
Please remove or anonymize confidential, sensitive, or regulated information before submitting.
If you can't include real source data, send the presentation layer, screenshots of the workbook structure, column/header schemas, and a small dummy-data sample.
I can often give useful feedback on the design, structure, story, layout, and reporting approach without needing the real underlying data. In most cases, I don't need real customer names, employee records, private financial details, or sensitive business data to review how well the report communicates.
What context do you need from me?
I'll ask you how the file is used, who the audience is, what they care about, and what decision or action the report should support.
I'll also want the one-sentence version of what you're trying to communicate, what feels confusing or frustrating today, and what success would look like. Where the data comes from and how often the file refreshes are useful too, and anything else you think I need to know can go in the same note.
The clearer you are about the situation, the better the review gets. If gathering that context feels like too much work, this probably isn't the right review yet.
What happens after I submit the form?
There's no payment due with the form. I review the short brief first and only accept reports where this format will actually help.
If it fits, I'll ask for the relevant material and send payment instructions for the flat $1,000 direction. After payment, I deliver within 5 business days.
If your project isn't a fit, I'll let you know. Some projects are too complex, too technical, too sensitive, or too open-ended for this format.
What kind of feedback can I ask for?
You can ask for feedback on design, layout, chart choice, story, message, executive presentation, usability, navigation, reporting strategy, Excel structure, or anything else that affects how well the report communicates.
You don't need to diagnose the problem perfectly before submitting. "Something feels off and I can't tell why" is a valid reason to ask for a review.
Do you rebuild the dashboard for me?
No. This isn't a rebuild, a technical repair, or me running your project.
You get a recorded 10-15 minute teardown and a one-page priority plan, plus one redesigned screen or section direction. You make the changes.
If you need implementation, stakeholder process, a full redesign, or a complete reporting system, that's a larger consulting engagement.
What does one redesigned screen or section direction mean?
I take one important screen or section and show you a concrete visual direction for improving it.
It's enough to make the advice tangible and give you a pattern to apply elsewhere. It's not a rebuilt workbook, a finished dashboard, or implementation across every page.
Can you fix my formulas or technical Excel issues?
Not as part of these reviews.
I may point out formula, structure, or workflow issues if they affect the report experience, but these reviews are focused on design, communication, usability, and reporting strategy.
They aren't intended for complex formulas, VBA, Power Query, Power Pivot, automation, data pipelines, or technical troubleshooting.
Can we get on a call or go back and forth after the review?
No. These reviews are intentionally async.
That keeps the process focused, lightweight, and efficient. You provide the context upfront, and I give you the clearest feedback I can based on what you send.
Follow-up support isn't included by default. If you need more help after the review, I can recommend the right next step.
What if I need an NDA, vendor onboarding, or procurement paperwork?
Check the sensitive-data answer on this page first. For most reports I can work from anonymized screenshots and dummy data, so the paperwork question usually never comes up.
If your organization does require an NDA, procurement setup, vendor onboarding, or a security review before I can see anything, it usually means the work belongs in a larger consulting engagement. These reviews stay lightweight on purpose.