The Advisory Retainer is for owners who don't need another project. They need someone who knows the business to look at the numbers every month and give a straight answer when a decision comes up: hire now or after winter, raise prices this spring or wait, say yes to a builder's volume deal or walk away. It runs month to month, and Ali Sedighi handles every call himself.
What the retainer is
The retainer is a monthly cycle with three parts: a scorecard, a review call and a written note. Between calls, you have agreed access by phone, text and email for decisions that can't wait. The retainer doesn't include execution such as running ads or rebuilding a website; if that is needed, we scope it separately and in writing.
Who it is for
- owners who have finished a 90-Day Growth Plan and want the measures kept honest
- companies going through a run of decisions, such as a first general manager, a move into commercial work or a new heat-pump line
- second-generation owners taking over from a parent who want an outside sounding board during the handover
- owners who simply work alone at the top and want a regular, structured conversation about the business
What's included each month
- The scorecard. Ten to twelve numbers agreed at the start, for example booked calls by source, answered-call rate, average ticket, replacement close rate, maintenance agreements active, technician utilisation and cash on hand in weeks of payroll.
- The review call. Usually 60–90 minutes. We go through the scorecard, the decisions in front of you and anything that changed.
- The written note. One or two pages after each call, covering what we discussed, what was decided, who owns what and what we will check next month.
- Between-call access. Agreed limits, set in writing.
Timeline and rhythm
Month one sets up the scorecard and agrees the definitions, which takes longer than owners expect because every company counts "a lead" differently. From month two the rhythm is steady. Every quarter we step back and ask whether the retainer is still worth what you pay. If it isn't, we will say so.
How results are measured
The retainer is measured by the scorecard and by the decisions made. A practical test is this: three months in, can you point to at least one decision that came out differently because of the retainer, and put a rough value on it? A worked example: holding a planned second hire from October to February because utilisation sat at 61% saves about four months of wages and vehicle cost, which on a $70,000 technician package is roughly $23,000, before you count the truck.
Mistakes to avoid
- Letting the scorecard drift. If the numbers stop arriving, the call turns into a chat. We will flag it.
- Using the retainer as a help desk. Quick questions are fine; projects need their own scope.
- Keeping it out of habit. A retainer should earn its place each quarter, or end.
- Hiding the bad months. The calls are most useful when the numbers are worst.
A typical month on the retainer
In the first week, your office sends the scorecard numbers. In the second week, we hold the review call. Within a few days of the call, you receive the written note. For the rest of the month, you text or call when a decision comes up: a supplier offering a volume rebate, a technician asking for a raise in the middle of a busy season, a builder wanting a price for forty townhouses. Each of those gets a short, reasoned answer, and the bigger ones go on the next call's agenda.
Price and how to start
The retainer is quoted in writing as a monthly fee based on the agreed access and scope. See pricing, compare it with the other packages on the services page, or read the guide to scoping an advisory engagement to see what we put in writing and why.
Frequently asked questions
How much access do I get between calls?
It is set in writing for each retainer, for example a number of short calls or a response window for texts and emails. We usually reply within one business day, and we don't promise round-the-clock availability.
Can I cancel?
The retainer runs month to month with no lock-in. The notice period is written into your agreement so there are no surprises.
Do I need to do a diagnostic or a plan first?
It helps, because we start with a shared picture of the business, but it isn't required. Without one, the first month includes a lighter review so the monthly scorecard means something.
Will you attend meetings with my staff or suppliers?
Yes. We can join your team, your agency or a supplier in person or by video call or phone, and the retainer scope lists those sessions.