Fees for services offered by Ben M. Bartlett

Do some research of the fees charged in the business growth and performance improvement arenas and you'll find that they are all over the place. For example, take a look at the fees for Executive and Business coaches as reported in the Harvard Business Review (January 2009):

$200 an hour at the low end to $3500 an hour at the high end. That's a big variance.

My fees? Together with the project partners I work with our fees are not the highest, but definitely not the cheapest. Why? Aside from a high level of expertise and experience, we offer a unique range of services with proprietary tools, systems and methodologies you cannot get anywhere else.

Furthermore, our fee schedule targets only those who are serious about improving performance and acts as a dis-incentive to prospects who are either price-driven or not in a financial position to make an investment in their future.

Having said all that, here is a general fee range as at September 2011 for my two core service options, The Strategic Advisor Program and Strategy Projects. Both service options give you access to my SmartSWOT Planning and Development tools, and both apply the Strategic Business Growth sequence outlined below. Fee specifics will be discussed at the consultation stage.

The Strategic Advisor Program

The Strategic Advisor Program is a hybrid strategy consulting, planning and coaching program that gives entrepreneurial firms access to a range of services on an ongoing basis. These services follow and apply the Strategic Business Growth Sequence outlined above and include:

Market intelligence and research
SWOT analysis and troubleshooting using SmartSWOT system and tools
Development of a dominant strategic position and strategy
Revenue stream planning and modeling
Improving Strategic HR structure and processes
Product and service development
Building a brand awareness system (branding/marketing tactics and campaigns)
Creating an effective opt-in system
Developing customer conversion system
Designing a customer service and retention system to service and retain customers
Building a customer development system to sell more, more often to customers (increase purchase frequency and unit sales value)
Coaching, training and mentoring

Strategy Sessions

A key component of the Strategic Advisor Program are Strategy Sessions. So what are they? Essentially Strategy Sessions are short, one-on-one or small group strategic thinking, planning and consulting sessions to help you address an immediate need, challenge or problem that exists in your business.

Designed to be a time-efficient and affordable means of accessing high-level strategic expertise, you can use Strategy Sessions in a number of ways such as:

Figuring out why sales are not growing as they should
Identifying growth markets and outlining the best ways to reach them
Reviewing your existing strategy and/or plan
Determining the underlying cause of poor team performance
Auditing sales and marketing systems
Brainstorming new product ideas
Formulating new business or product/service brands
Evaluating business ideas or opportunities

The Strategic Advisor Program has two versions – one for small to mid-sized businesses, and the other for CEOs or senior executives of larger firms. Fees start at $2,000 per month.

Strategy Projects

For more specific or short term needs your best service option is typically Strategy Projects, which are designed for projects ranging in duration from several days to several months.

In terms of fees for projects, the following are very general guidelines:

The Strategic Planning Bootcamp. Includes all pre-bootcamp planning, meetings, a written one page plan and post-bootcamp support. $12,000-$18,000
One page Strategic or Marketing Plans – $10,000 minimum. Includes gathering intelligence and research data, strategic analysis, consultation, strategizing and plan development.
Strategic branding or product development. $20,000 plus
Organizational troubleshooting. $10,000 plus
Development of Sales and Marketing System. $20,000 plus

Fee Terms

Fees exclude GST and out-of-pocket expenses such as travel for out-of-town assignments.

Payment Terms for projects are upfront deposit and progress (or retainer) payments made until the project is completed. Discounts apply when the full project fee is paid upfront in full.

Request your free Consult

If you're serious I recommend you call or email ben(at)benmbartlett.com and arrange a free, no-obligation phone or in-person consult.

During this session I'll conduct a broad analysis of your specific situation, taking into account your goals and the main issues you want to resolve or improve. In this session I'll introduce you to some of the proprietary business growth tools we use – such as SmartSWOT – and then show you how to use them for your benefit.

Once the analysis has been completed I'll give a frank and honest assessment of things you need to do or not do in order to move your business forward. And, you'll get some specific, workable ideas that you can put into action right away.

Email ben(at)benmbartlett.com or call 0064 9 534 9314 for more details or to arrange a free, no-obligation consult available by phone or in-person.