ONE EXISTING CLIENT · INVESTIGATION SCOPED TO THE QUESTION
Further account research, scoped to the decision.
When an Account Screen finds a question worth pursuing, or your team already has a defined business question, I investigate the evidence needed for the next decision. Work can be narrowly focused or cover several interdependent strategic alternatives.
WHY SCOPE VARIES
Different questions warrant different amounts of research.
A small, well-defined question may be answered by reviewing one operational dependency or testing a few competing explanations. Other situations need a more complete analysis of the business model, the choices facing the client and the stakeholders who could validate them.
The depth depends on the evidence available, the uncertainty to resolve and the decision at stake. The fee reflects the agreed research work, not the client’s turnover, supposed sales potential or the size of a hypothetical IT project. A Screen is not mandatory when you already have a clear brief.
POSSIBLE RESEARCH DEPTH
One question, or a set of strategic alternatives.
These are examples of scope, not fixed packages or guaranteed outcomes.
Focused investigation
Test one specific business change or operational hypothesis against further evidence. Identify plausible explanations, key unknowns and a question your team can validate with the client.
Strategic options research
Examine several linked business questions, operating and economic consequences, alternative responses and the relevance of each to your firm's capabilities and stakeholder access.
POSSIBLE OUTPUTS
A written analysis proportionate to the agreed question.
A focused brief may cover only a defined question and its evidence. A broader assessment may cover all of the areas below. The deliverables are specified in the quotation.
Operating and economic logic
How the business attracts demand, converts it into obligations and fulfils them; what drives capacity, coordination and costs. The original project and intended effect provide a reference point.
Evidence and alternative mechanisms
What has changed, which patterns of the business model could explain it, which other explanations fit the same observations and what would distinguish them.
Business choices and consequences
Plausible responses in pricing, scope, process, capacity, organisation or systems; the dependencies and trade-offs of each, including taking no new action.
Decision ownership and discovery
Which client function could authorise each response, what remains unknown, and which questions and stakeholders your team should approach first.
Two separate assessments: whether an alternative makes business sense, and whether the integrator can presently advance the discussion through its known stakeholders. Access does not determine strategic importance.
INPUTS
What I need to quote and investigate the account.
Client and original engagement
Client website, the business problem originally addressed, the delivered systems and the outcomes intended. An outline is enough to begin scoping.
Existing decision contacts
The sponsor’s function, current relationships and any known decision ownership. Roles suffice; names are not required.
Authorised context
Relevant, non-confidential material your firm may lawfully share. Public sources alone may support some hypotheses, but internal figures and interviews are not assumed to be available.
PRICE, SCOPE & VALIDATION
Agree the research question before the fee.
Research can establish plausible economic and operational mechanisms and test competing explanations against available evidence. It cannot verify internal economics, capacity constraints or management priorities without the client’s authorised information.
The resulting briefing distinguishes business relevance from partner relevance: an important question for the client is not automatically an opportunity for your firm. Client decisions, technical discovery and commercial qualification remain with the client and your team.
Typical research fees are £350–£1,500 for one account, depending on the question, required sources and analytical depth. This is an indicative range, not a fixed package or a fee based on estimated deal size. I confirm the deliverables, fee and turnaround in writing before payment. The £50 Account Screen fee is credited in full towards commissioned follow-on research for the same account. You can also enquire directly without a Screen. Further work is always optional.
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