Work Practices

We feel that it is in our prospective clients’ and our interests to determine if our services and skills are a good match for their needs before working together. So we do not charge for initial discussions that help us understand your needs.  (If you print this page, all sections will open and print.)

Got questions? Please do ask.

• Getting Started

  We start by working together to determine the desired outcomes and what help is needed (and if we’re the right folks to get it done). Small projects typically require a short written agreement (email is fine) to get started. Larger projects typically entail a contract that lists deliverables, costs, and delivery dates.

• Costs

  Costs are typically based on time and materials or expenses (if any). Because of our experience level, clients agree that we usually charge for fewer hours than those with less experience. That means that the overall cost for deliverables is often less than others, even when our hourly rate is higher. And because of our experience level, our consulting and workshops are better targeted to your needs, improving the ROI of these activities.

  Workshops typically have a cost-per-day (onsite) or a cost-per-hour (online) plus development time (if any). Projects typically have a cost-per-day (onsite) or cost-per-hour (offsite) until the parameters of a project are pinned down. At that point, we can provide fixed rates, if desired. But ask us to explain how you can save money by continuing to pay us on a per hour basis. (We know this sounds self-serving but ask us anyway. It’ll be eye opening.)

  Actual travel costs are invoiced for onsite travel. We are very careful with clients’ money. Promise. We invoice a portion of our daily rate when we are unable to return home by 10 PM on the day that an onsite engagement ends.

  We typically bill monthly for work done during that month.

• RFPs

  We typically do not compete on RFPs because 20+ years of experience tell us that initial fixed bids tend to be inaccurate guesses. We feel strongly that this is a poor way to begin to help clients meet their needs. We think you should get what you need and save money, now and later.

• Cancellations

  We ask clients to notify us if they need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations made less than 30 days before an engagement are invoiced at 40% of the contracted fee plus any travel costs already incurred.

• Friends-Don’t-Nickel-and-Dime-Friends Policy

  We work hard to gain client trust and many of our clients become friends. (Don’t worry. This is optional.)

  We do not charge for initial discussions (before contracting), typical administrative activities (short calls and emails, making travel arrangements, writing status reports, invoicing, etc.).

  We actively look for ways to provide additional value before, during, and after working on your projects. Like win-win relationships? We do too.