Know-How Exchange : Research/Metrics

You may find a standard tariff on one of the associations' websites. There's a list of them here:

https://www.consulting-business.com/consulting-business-associations.html

However, the value of what you supply isn't something you can define easily. That comes from your clients. Who's satisfied, who's not. Even if they're getting less than you could give they'll be happy because they got what they needed. Those who aren't won't be happy because they didn't get it.

As to additional services - how long a list do you need? Mainly it's the implementation of the business plan that's at the core of any additional services. Do they need help with marketing, administration, production, overseas communications? The list is endless.

Don't dispair! Just because the world of business isn't limited - their business is. And the things that need implementing will depend on the plan you've agreed with them. In many respects it's where the consultant actually makes their money.

The answer is: it depends. Where you are, who you're serving, what their expectations are, how much you can deliver in terms of value, how you want to get paid ... and so on.

As usual, Gary's right: It depends.

The range is very large, depending on exactly what you want, where you're located, how good (and in demand) the consultant is, and a number of other factors. It also depends on how much good information you have already and how much the consultant has to develop himself/herself.

And the price will also depend on whether or not you need primary market research, how you intend to use the plan (for investors?), level of detail required, timing, etc.

Under $500? That's not valuing your judgment, is it? Either your young entrepreneur respects your advice or tell her she can post it on Elance and suffer the consequences. Demanding exclusivity whilst arguing about cost is one very good indicator of a bad client.

Which she is right now.

However that doesn't mean she always has to be like this - and I have a suggestion for you. How about $2000/month for three months* where she gets to phone you once a week (or so) and gets your exclusive help for an entire day (on site if needs be). (*Or more!).

You cannot work for three months and expect $500, can you? Unless you're living in a tin shack in the Philippines. If she's not going to pay a sensible amount of money - that is to say she has confidence in her busines that her investment in you will bring her dividends - you're better off without her.

Lay down the law. Believe me, I've done it with bad clients and they hate it. The good ones love it - they can dump all their worries at your feet and have the results presented to them a week later. Or however long it takes. Sure, we lost customers doing that, we also lost turnover.

We made more profit.

Think about it. Is this woman worth having on board?

Now let's put this another way around: does she expect this of her bar tender? The guy serving drinks at her local hostelry?

My guess is that she doesn't.

Nor would she pay him to sit around while she enjoys her drinks with her friends. What's more, he's sitting there being paid a miserable amount by her when he could be serving the rest of the bar and making a sensible living.

Points of note: this person doesn't know what she's doing.
this person has no faith in what she's doing
this person needs to know both before embarking on a career.

I would lay down the law here: she can have half an hour each week and no more, cost $300. Agree on two to five things to be implemented before the next call. If she does not act on the things you agreed to do, you terminate the agreement.

Otherwise you'll not only be tied to providing unlimited bed-time stories for the next six months to stop her worrying herself silly - you'll be blamed for it all going wrong too.