Hourly strategy sessions: one decision, one clear recommendation

What it is

It's paid time with a senior strategist, focused on one question. The preparation is part of the session: we read your documents and look at your numbers before we speak, so the conversation is spent on the decision rather than on background.

After the session you get a short written note: the recommendation, the reasoning, the main risks and the next two or three steps. You can share it with a business partner, your accountant or your banker.

Who it's for

Sessions suit owners who know the question but want a second opinion before acting. Common topics from Coquitlam businesses:

• A lease renewal or a new lease. Is the rent sensible for your sales? Does the term fit your plans? What should you negotiate?
• An agency or supplier proposal. Is the scope clear? Are the promised results realistic? What should you ask before signing?
• A price change. How much can you raise prices, how should you tell customers, and what happens to your margin if you lose a few of them?
• A partnership or exclusive deal. What do you gain and what do you give up?
• A hiring decision. Is this the right role at the right time, and can the business carry the cost?
• A "should I?" moment. A new service, a pop-up in City Centre, a market stall, a second van.

What's included

1. A short intake. You describe the decision in a few sentences by email or text and send any documents.
2. Preparation. We read everything and run whatever quick numbers the decision needs.
3. The session. In person, by video call or by phone, usually 45 to 90 minutes.
4. Written note. A one- or two-page summary sent after the call.
5. Next steps, if any. If the note raises a new question, we'll tell you whether it needs another session or can wait.

Timeline

Timing depends on the decision and on how much reading it needs. If you're working to a deadline, such as a lease that must be signed by a certain date, tell us at the start and we'll say honestly whether we can help in time.

How results are measured

For a single decision, the measure is simple: did it turn out as the note expected? We encourage owners to look back after three or six months. If you'd like, send a short update and we'll tell you whether anything in the original reasoning should change.

A worked example shows the kind of thinking involved. Suppose you're considering a 6% price increase. Your gross margin is 40%, so on each $100 of current sales you keep $40. After the increase, each $106 of sales leaves $46. To end up with the same gross profit, you could lose up to $40 ÷ $46, or about 13%, of your sales volume. In other words, the increase pays off unless more than roughly one customer in eight walks away. That sort of calculation turns a nervous guess into a measured choice.

Mistakes to avoid

• Booking a session without the documents. We can only give a firm view on what we've read. Send the lease, the proposal or the numbers in advance.
• Bringing five decisions to one hour. One decision, done properly, beats five done badly. Book a second session if you need it.
• Treating the session as legal or tax advice. We advise on business sense. Your lawyer and accountant should still review contracts, leases and tax questions.
• Waiting until the night before. Leave at least a few working days so we can prepare.

If a session reveals a bigger issue, we'll suggest whether growth and expansion planning, a marketing strategy or operations advice would help, with no pressure to take it. See pricing for rates, and call, text or email with your question.