Every engagement has an end date, agreed at the start
We do not offer rolling retainers. Each piece of work has a defined conclusion written into the engagement letter, and continuing past it requires a new agreement with a fresh justification.
Retainers outlive their usefulness quietly
A consulting retainer begins with a clear purpose. Six months later the original objective has been met or overtaken, and the arrangement continues because nobody has cause to stop it. The invoices are modest, the relationship is good, and ending it would require someone to raise the subject.
Nothing improper is happening. The adviser is still adding value in some measure, and the client is not dissatisfied. It is simply that no one has asked recently whether this should still exist.
Inertia is the most reliable revenue in this business. A retainer nobody reviews is more dependable than any amount of good work.
So we build in the end. Every engagement states its conclusion date and its objective, and continuing requires a new agreement and a fresh reason.
A retainer nobody reviews is more dependable revenue than any amount of good work.
A stated conclusion, and what it depends on
Each engagement letter records the objective, the end date, and what would constitute the work being finished.
Where the objective is met early, the engagement ends early and the remaining fee is not charged.
A new agreement, not an automatic roll
Continuing beyond the stated conclusion means a new engagement letter with a new objective. There is no automatic extension and no notice period to forget about.
A conversation about whether to continue is one we prefer to have deliberately.
What we advise on
Growth Strategy
Commercial direction for growing businesses, scoped to a defined conclusion.
Market and Customer Analysis
Structured examination of where growth is genuinely available.
Sales and Commercial Development
Building commercial capability inside your own team rather than substituting for it.
What this costs us
We give up the most stable revenue available. Rolling retainers are the financial backbone of most consulting practices and we do not offer them.
We end engagements early. Where an objective is met ahead of the stated date, the remaining fee is not charged.
We prompt the conversation about stopping. Every engagement reaches a point where someone has to justify continuing, and often nobody can.
The engagement ended on the date in the letter. They did not propose an extension and we did not need one.Managing Director · Building services company
They finished two months early and invoiced accordingly. We have used them twice since.Owner · Specialist retailer