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Action Learning Associates

Fee Ranges for Consulting Services

by | Oct 7, 2012 | Business, change, Coaching, Employment, energy industry, Financial Professionals, Leadership, Managers, money, Resources, safety, Sales, strengths

Let’s reduce some mystery in the consulting industry.

 

Annual revenue from management consulting in the U.S. was over $58B in 2016.

 

Question:  How much should you invest in your team or group?

Answer:  Enough to guarantee that your outcomes are exceeded.  Not a dollar more.

 

Use these Organizational Consulting Activities and Fee Ranges as a guideline.

 

1.  Consulting Day Onsite.   Fee Range $3,000-$10,000.  The primary reason to invest in external consulting is to accelerate desired change behaviors.  The services may include (1) assessments, (2) coaching or consulting, or (3) skills training.  Those services may be for individuals, groups (defined as 2+ people), or organizations.  Be wary of consultants who bill by the hour, because that practice is transactional and inherently unethical.  Be wary of consultants who offer an “in-town reduction,” or who charge additional fees for books, materials, or excessive travel.  Only select external consultants who provide tremendous value, clear contracts, expected outcomes, and then exceed any promises.   We typically provide three choices.   For details click here.

 

2.  Consulting Day Offsite  (research, data analysis, assessment development, etc.)  Fee Range $1,000-$5,000.  The primary reason to invest in such consulting days is to enable an expert to customize evidence-based content for your organization.   Be wary of consultants who charge an excessive fee for research on your project.  Those consultants may not be subject matter experts-  they may be billing you for their self-study.  That practice is both expensive and unethical.  However, it is fair and reasonable for any consultant to provide a summary of value provided for any offsite consulting work such as customization, research, or data analysis.  We always include those expenses in our value-based contracts for services.   Click here for details.

 

3.  Keynote or other brief speech.  Fee Range $2,000- $15,000.  The primary reason to invest in a motivational speaker is to introduce a new topic or to accelerate learning.   For instance, when we speak on “How to Apply Positive Psychology to your organization” the material is customized for your specific learning outcome.   Too many professional speakers (including some distinguished members of the National Speakers Association who endlessly self-promote) are struggling to survive.  (We have met many of them.  In fact, Doug’s brother, Stuart Gray, was featured on the cover of NSA Magazine.)   Only select speakers who can provide video evidence of their relevant expertise.  There is little evidence validating a long term impact from any motivational speaker.  The real value of speaking is to integrate customized learning into your business outcomes.  For recent details on our speaking expertise click here.

 

4.  Half-day workshop.  Fee Range $2,500- $7,500.  There may be a compelling business reason to provide content in a half-day workshop, rather than a full-day workshop.  For instance, when we provide workshops we integrate virtual or digital training into the process, with pre-event assessments, a digital playbook, and post-event impact boosters.  Those are evidence-based aspects of our process; therefore, we provide them at no additional cost for a workshop of any length.  Some consultants will have additional expenses if, for instance, we have 200 attendees instead of 20.  Those are real costs for assessments, customized program materials, group coaching, etc.  Be wary of any leadership program that is “off the shelf.”  There is little evidence to support their value.  And be wary of the assumption that a consultant can “condense a full-day into a half-day.”  That assumption is absurd.  Half-day workshops have different business outcomes from full-day workshops.  For details on each workshop design, contact us here.

 

5.  Full-day workshop.  Fee Range $5,000- $15,000.  Only select proven consultants who provide tremendous value.  Adult learners require meaningful experiential events.  Anything else is a waste of time, money and energy.  Leader development must be customized if you want impact.  Consider these facts:  Your operational investment into your full-day workshop is multi-fold.  The direct costs of the facility ($5,000) plus the direct costs of 20 people away from their desks ($20,000+) plus the real business lost from that day ($20,000+) mean that your investment in that full day workshop for 20 people actually exceeds $45,000.  We strongly recommend that you invest in expert consultants facilitating a complete process of pre-event assessment, customized delivery, and post-event impact boosters tied to business outcomes.  We have delivered hundreds of these programs.  For details contact us today.

 

6.  Executive Retreat, per day.  Fee Range $10,000-$50,000.  Executive leaders have unique demands on time and energy.  They require condensed leadership development experiences.  Those experiences must be remarkable.  We have facilitated executive retreats with private chefs in the mountains, and with professional actors in the city.  The reason to invest in an executive retreat program is to accelerate new learning in short, remarkable periods of time.  The goal is strategic transformation or breakthrough.  The action learning model is designed to foster breakthrough experiences.  Customization for your executive team is critical.  That process requires partnership with external trusted consultants.  That’s why you should call today.    For details, contact us.

 

7.  Systems Implementation  (e.g. talent assessment, organizational culture change, succession planning initiative).  Fee Range $10,000- $50,000.  Organizational leadership may be defined broadly as a series of phased interventions toward desired business outcomes.  That process requires ongoing active leadership from external consultants.  We provide the objective assessments that you require.  Be wary of any consultants who depend on online talent assessments for lower level employees, or those who sell boilerplate programs.  60-80% of change initiatives fail to be adopted.  Contact us for the detailed citations.  Do not waste any time or money.  Your success requires executive sponsorship, valid assessments (often at individual, team and organizational levels), proven process steps with measures for accountability, and specific expertise.  We are the experts.  We typically provide three choices or a phased set of solutions.   For details, contact us.

 

8.  Employee or Customer Surveys.  Fee Range $15,000- $100,000+.   Caution:  the ability to create an online survey does not make one expert in the use of surveys.  The primary reason to invest in any survey is to assess a population and make informed recommendations toward some desired business outcome.    Valid data requires external consultants with a reliable process.  Internal “consultants” or departments may be self-serving, because they are required to justify their importance.  Consequently, their survey findings may not be valid.  External service providers are absolutely essential for an objective assessment of your organizational performance.  The scope of your investment in these external surveys must vary with the scope of your business needs.   Assessments are (1) quantitative, (2) qualitative, or (3) mixed.  We strongly recommend that you hire an external consultant for surveys.  Contact us for details.

 

9.  Strategy Formulation.  Fee Range $50,000- $150,000.  One definition of strategy is a 3-year horizon line of behavior that reinforces the organizational culture.  The process of strategy formulation requires expert facilitators who can assess purpose, mission, values and culture.  External consultants with unrelated expertise may provide the best value to your organization.  For instance, we have worked with attorneys and accountants for 20+ years.  Recently we were hired to work with a mid-sized company of IT providers who required a new way of thinking about strategy.  They were delighted with their new strategy.  Be wary of the consultant who says, “I have no bias.”  We all have biases, and expertise, that will affect any investment in strategy formulation.  Our bias is based on evidence-based research in positive psychology that assumes a growth mindset that groups can flourish.  Our strategy formulation services are always provided in measurable phases with milestones,  so that all parties are delighted.  For details contact us.

 

10.  Organizational or Group Assessment.  Fee Range $20,000- $200,000.  External consultants are the ONLY people capable of providing objective data about your organization.   Internal consultants have an inherent bias that limits their effectiveness.   We partner with your internal leaders to provide the data you need to make informed decisions, reduce cost, or mitigate risk.  For 30+ years we have provided expert organizational and group assessments.  We know that the best talent assessment methodology includes a multi-rater (2+ consultants) multi-method (quantitative and qualitative) design, because the result has high predictive validity and reliability.  However, your group may only need a quantitative assessment.   Assessments are (1) quantitative, (2) qualitative, or (3) mixed.   Our theoretical model focuses on positive psychology, therefore we make recommendations based on your individual and organizational capacity to flourish.  Then we help you implement those recommendations.    Those details are here.

 

What are you waiting for?   Contact us today.

 

Download this list of services and investment levels now:

ALA 1p for websiteDownload

 

Now you have some numbers.    So what?

 

Contact us today.

 

Or call us at 615.905.1892 or schedule your initial consultation here.

 

How to Create Happiness: Step 5 of 5

by | Sep 24, 2012 | Business, change, exercise

Happiness is elastic.

Like a giant rubber band.  Thankfully, we can stretch and create more happiness when we are intentional.

We experience happiness at different times, and some people are more happy than others. We know the reward mechanisms of the brain are reinforced when we do certain activities. And when we reinforce those behaviors, we can be happier.  Some activities, such as mindfulness, are now being taught in MBA programs… so that people become more happy.

Here is step 5 of 5:

5.  Give.  

The happiest people give generously.  They give time.  They give talents.

John Maxwell, the “Leadership Guru of the Decade”, calls this the Law of Reciprocity.  The more you give, without expectation of direct return, then the more you will receive.

In Rotary the motto is, “Service above self.”

The happiest people give because they choose to do so.  And in return, those who give report tremendous feelings of altrusim and compassion.

Did you know that our brains are hardwired?  When we do certain behaviors, we can see electrical and chemical activity in certain portions of the brain.  For instance, consider this experiment.  Imagine that we select two sets of people, randomly matched.  What would happen if we gave $100 to each person?  Anything different?  Now imagine that the  first set was asked to invest the money on others.  The second set was not given any instructions, they could use the money in any way they desired.  Now, would you expect anything different?  What would their brain images indicate?

The first set of people, who were asked to invest $100 in others, had different brain images.  They reported it as “happiness.”  And we can see the impact on their brain imagery in bright colors.  One conclusion from this study is that we are hard wired to the reward mechanisms in our brain.  Another conclusion is that when we choose to give, we can create happiness in ourselves and others.

So, who can you give something to, today?  What can you give away, today?  How can you help someone else experience happiness?

A friend recently overheard someone state that he had a bicycle on layaway.  He used the bicycle daily.  So my friend quietly paid off the debt.  Anonymously.

What can you give, right now?

 

 

 

How to Create Happiness: Step 3 of 5

by | Sep 20, 2012 | Business

Happiness is elastic.

Like a giant rubber band.

We experience happiness at different times, and some people are more happy than others. We know the reward mechanisms of the brain are reinforced when we do certain activities. And when we reinforce those behaviors, we can be happier.  Some activities, such as mindfulness, are now being taught in MBA programs… so that people become more happy.

Here is step 3 of 5:

3.  Take Notice.  

Our awareness defines our reality.  That fact may seem obvious, but the results are nothing short of spectacular.

Consider your current level of awareness in these ways:

  • your internal physical state
  • your emotional state
  • the external weather
  • the political climate in your home town
  • who you listen to (new sources, influential people…)
We know that cognitive behavioral theory is defined by reinforcement.  For instance, if you listen to political or social or economic views from only one source, that will reinforce your perspective.  We take notice.  In fact, we have a “confirming bias” which inclines us to believe what we already know or believe.
And those beliefs are reinforced at a neuronal level in our brains.
Until we notice something else.
Like a seasonal change, an Arab Spring, a joyful neighbor…
Happiness occurs when we take notice of the joys and pleasures around us.  We label them. We affirm others.  We celebrate.
So, how do you take notice?  Who do you need to call or take notice of today?  What would happen if you took notice of that person right now?

How to Create Happiness: Step 2 of 5

by | Sep 18, 2012 | Business

Happiness is elastic.

Surely you know someone who always “seems happy.”  How did they learn to be that way?

We know the reward mechanisms of the brain are reinforced when we do certain activities.  And when we reinforce those behaviors, we can be happier.  Some activities, such as mindfulness, are now being taught in MBA programs… so that people become more happy.

Here is step 2 of 5:

2.  Be active.

The best way to change your mood is to change your physical state.  We know that 30+ minutes of sweaty exercise 3x/week creates happiness.  It controls obesity.  It reduces heart disease.  Yet fewer than 20% of Americans make that choice… Hmmm.

You can be different.

When you are physically active you will reinforce the physical systems in your body and create more happiness.

The circulatory system, muscular system, lymphatic system, skeletal system, etc are all related in a beautiful organism called your body.

Consider how quickly you can be active if you:

  • stretched in the hallway or on conference calls
  • walked and talked for quick meetings
  • agreed to be a regular accountability partner for someone
  • walked across the parking lot
  • spent 20 minutes daily walking and talking, like someone in Manhattan, regardless of where you live
  • kept an activity journal
  • download a free app to measure caloric output
  • shared activity with friends using “MapMy Fitness”
  • learned yoga or pilates
As a former NCAA x-c ski coach, and an athlete, my happiness is directly related to how physically active I choose to be each day.  As we age our metabolism changes.  Our physical capacity will diminish.  (For instance, I no linger run 6:30 mile splits, but I can still run.)
 The shortest route to happiness starts with physical activity.
So, what physical activity can you do now?  Who can help you be accountable for that activity?

How to Create Happiness: step 1 of 5

by | Sep 16, 2012 | Business, Coaching, exercise

There is much being written and talked about in the subject of happiness.  Martin Seligman wrote Positive Psychology and spurred a movement.  There is a clever movie on Netflix called “Happy” that is shared within families, church and school communities.  The “pursuit of happiness” is thought to be a uniquely American trait, associated with the New World, connected to the American Dream… and NOT related to Gross Domestic Product or Net Worth.

In fact, there is a movement called the Happy Planet Index, which measures the national well-being against resource use.

The happiest nation?  Not Denmark or Switzerland…  It is Costa Rica.  Which stopped funding an army in 1949, has a commitment to renewable energy, and that “Latin vibe” that encourages social connection.  One good reference on the Happy Planet Index (HPI) is statistician Nic Marks, on www.Ted.com, August 30, 2010.

Happiness is elastic.  We experience happiness at different times, and some people are more happy than others.  We know the reward mechanisms of the brain are reinforced when we do certain activities.  And when we reinforce those behaviors, we can be happier.  Some activities, such as mindfulness, are now being taught in MBA programs… so that people become more happy.

 

Here is step 1 of 5:

 

1.  Connect.  

Our social relationships define our success.  Extroverts have always known that they need social reinforcement in order to feel comfortable.  Shared housing movements are increasing from Scandanavia to Sun City, USA.  When we are dis-stressed we typically go to a group (think about Alcoholics Anonymous, a sacred church, or Starbucks…)   When we are in transition we seek groups for social connection (think social media, affinity groups, job seekers…)

 

So, how are you connecting today and this week?  Who else do you need to connect to?

 

Recently, on my birthday, I received many Facebook emails.  They were nice.  (Thank you.)  And I treasure the phone calls even more, from loved ones or long-lost ones…  But I will never forget the friends and family who stopped by to visit.  There are never enough of those visits.

 

On a scale of 1-10, how connected are you now?  What do you need to do to increase that number?