Common types of Engagements
Project-based Strategic Change
Most businesses and organizations struggle to implement new practices and initiatives. This isn’t merely because defining and implementing is difficult. It’s mainly because of an imbalance between Originating and Sustaining work and a misalignment of the adoption model. That’s a bunch of consultant speak for “trying to do the right thing at the wrong time in the wrong ways.”
That’s why one of my most popular types of engagements with clients involves the simultaneous work of developing a new initiative or project and using that work to help reveal what best adoption methods should be. These projects often include:
- New website
- Website refresh
- SaaS offering update
- Content Marketing Program
- New Product Development
Commonly 10+ hours / week @ $100/hr
Strategic Alignment and Implementation
This type of engagement is best for businesses that already have a new strategy or initiative under development. They often find the real challenge is determining how to align it with their current program and fitting it into their culture. While I use my Strategic Positioning Spectrum in all my work, it’s especially helpful with this type of engagement. We’ll define the right fit of activities needed and determine how they should be implemented and by who. And, we’ll do this while determining where the new activities land in a Maturity Model.
I use a 5-level Maturity Model to guide these implementations:
- Level 1: Ignorance (Lack of awareness to skepticism)
- Level 2: Investigation (Exploring and experimenting with activities)
- Level 3: Incorporation (Implementing alongside current activities)
- Level 4: Integration (Fully embedded in daily work activities)
- Level 5: Inherent (An integral part of your culture)
Commonly 20+ hours / week @ $100/hr
Retainer-based engagements
It’s most common for me to establish a monthly retainer for the life of a project or engagement. We’ll base it on an estimated number of hours per month with a flat monthly fee. No complicated billing or time keeping. A retainer is often best for work that will last longer than three months.
10 hours / week minimum @ $90/hr, minimum 3 months