1-to-1 Advisory

Imagine being able to reach out as things come up and say, "Work through this with me."

Being in a leadership position doesn't mean you have to go it alone.

Even though it can feel like it sometimes, such as when you're:

• spinning on what direction makes sense - and how to pull it off
• hearing the same old perspectives from colleagues and others in your inner circle (you need a fresh, external perspective)
• struggling against other people trying to impose their own agendas - instead of helping you with your own
• facing an issue that requires context, constraints, and judgement calls - but doesn't warrant a full consulting engagement

You need someone who can help you hash it out and make the call - including what steps to take if you decide to move forward.

1-to-1 Advisory sessions are designed to help you:

• Clarify your goals and vision so you know in what direction you want to move
• Explore ideas and strategies to find the most effective path forward
• Understand the reasons, including the opportunity costs and pros and cons, of the route chosen
• Create actionable, doable plans you can implement immediately
• Resist the cycle of reacting rather than proactively acting

Work through it with someone who ...

• will keep it confidential
• knows how to pull structure and strategy out of a sea of undeveloped ideas and moving parts
• has real world experience, a practical approach, and an eye for the details that matter
• is invested in your success

 It's easy to get started - and to ditch the uncertainty:

1. Start with a 1-hour Discovery Session - set the foundation for addressing challenges.
   • All you have to do is answer honestly as I interview you.
2. Book 1-to-1 Advisory sessions - as needed, conducted on Zoom.
   • Each session focuses on addressing your challenges, whether it's clarifying your vision, refining your processes, or creating actionable game plans.
   • If you don't need help, you don't book. In a way, each 1-to-1 Advisory session could be our last - without further obligation.
3. Get support between sessions - not everything requires a face-to-face discussion.
   • Depending on the task at hand, you might be given "homework" to complete. (This helps keep your cost down while still making guided progress.)
   • Between sessions, you can reach out for email support to review materials or ask quick questions.
4. Take Action & Make Progress
   • Armed with clarity and game plans, you'll execute plans with confidence.
   • Need help? I'm here for accountability and support to keep you on track and moving forward.

Any strategy devised will be rooted in our shared understanding of the constraints under which you're working (e.g., manpower, access to software, time), experience with the success and drawbacks of various tactics, and in keeping with your overall vision for success.

You make the final call as to which actions you're going to pursue. Think of it more as bringing Blou Designs along on the journey as a trusted advisor and mastermind partner.

 We can do a lot together. But not everything.

The specifics of what we cover are chosen by you, based on what you're working on and trying to achieve in your business.

The topics available are wide ranging, including:

• Crafting your Vision in a way that makes it more actionable
  • Getting specific on what you might be able to observe when a goal has been achieved
  • Being realistic about capacity constraints
  • Using applicable frameworks to set goals and milestones
• Addressing the gaps between where you are today and your Vision for the future
  • Reviewing data, as possible, for explanations as to why things are the way they are today
  • Masterminding and Testing new ideas - including using analytics and other means to assess what's "working"
• Formalizing your operations
  • Turning your ad hoc experiences into reliable and repeatable processes - including documenting SOPs and designing services
  • Creating and revising feedback forms, intake forms, and general surveys so you can get the data you need
  • Reviewing communication strategies - including how you track conversations in email and other locations
• Aligning your operations
  • Designing workshops and other events so that they feed into your business goals
  • Responding to emails and RFPs while staying true to your values and vision
  • Reviewing existing processes and exploring how to make them more effective, efficient, or delegable
  • Reviewing and revising processes for better brand alignment
• Packaging and Marketing and Wordsmithing
  • Auditing landing pages
  • Using video and social media to support your business strategies
  • Presenting information - including brochures and slide decks
  • Reviewing and revising social post text and newsletters
  • Workshop and proposal flyers
• Time Management
  • Setting priorities that matter
  • Creating game plans with human-achievable deadlines
  • Balancing shifting priorities, hard deadlines, conflicts, and concepts of "wiggle room"

Things we will not cover include:

• finances and taxes - you'll need a CPA, fractional CFO, or other type of professional for that
• supply chain - logistics like this are for supply chain managers and consultants
• legal - this is what attorneys are for
• paid advertising (rather than organic marketing) - marketing agencies might be a better fit for you
• psychological or medical advice

 The First Step is Clarity

Your challenges don't exist in a bubble. That's why our very first meeting will be a 1-hour, kick-off Discovery Session.

Discovery helps to uncover patterns and tensions, and makes sure we're both clear on your big-picture vision of success so that all of our work together is contextualized and focused. (Without this, it's too easy to get distracted by shiny object syndrome and generic expert advice.)

You'll receive a Discovery Summary document about a week after our meeting - a reference tool capturing where you're starting from, along with initial strategic ideas for moving toward your goals.

 What's the investment?

You don't need a massive budget or a long-term commitment.

These sessions are pay-as-you-go, so you only pay for the time you use.

• Discovery Session: A one-time, 1-hour session to kick things off.
  • This cost is $0 + one hour of your time. You'll get the Discovery Summary write-up and reference doc in your email about a week after our meeting, along with a contract to sign if you want to continue working with me.
• Hourly Sessions: Book as many or as few as you need - at a flat rate of $225/hour (U.S. Dollars).
  • Any time spent on email-based support or other work requested outside of our face-to-face sessions is also billed at the hourly rate. Here, too, you only pay for the time you use.
  • All of this time - whether together in Zoom or separately in other support - is invoiced at most once per month, based on what you used.
• Retainer Options: These are reserved for bigger projects or ongoing needs in the context of a specific deadline.
• Retainers are typically invoiced upfront, with a negotiated flat rate determined by expected usage over a 3-month period, including any scheduled meetings. Renewals and adjustments may be negotiated at the end of each 3-month period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens after the Discovery Session?

You'll schedule follow-up sessions based on your needs. You don't have to commit to a package or series of sessions upfront - you book only what you need, when you need it.

What if I'm not sure what I need help with?

The Discovery Session can make your needs more clear, as can the process we engage in during our individual 1-to-1 Advisory sessions.

What happens if the things I said during Discovery change over time?

That's kind of how life works, isn't it? As needed, you can keep me updated with status updates during our work together.

Will I have to keep coming back to you to help me solve the same types of problems?

Because we're building a history together, each session builds on the previous one. That means that, over time, you'll develop frameworks for handling similar situations on your own, calling me in for the new things that arise.

Will you record our sessions?

As a rule, Zoom sessions are not recorded; this promotes both confidentiality and focus on the meeting at hand.

How do I know if the thing I want to talk about is covered?

If you don't see your particular challenges listed above, reach out and ask. If I think it crosses into one of the topics I cannot help you with, I'll say so.

What guarantees do you offer?

Blou Designs makes no guarantees of any results or success. Results and success depend on many factors, including your resources, skill, knowledge, and discipline; external factors having nothing to do with you or Blou Designs, such as funding sources, may also play a role.

Will you keep what we discuss confidential?

Confidentiality is part of the contract we'll sign. But please don't share "classified" information in our sessions. 😊