How Much Do You Charge Part II

In the last entry, I said it depends but saved disclosing the depends on what part for this entry. So what does it depend on? While Parmelee Consulting Group, Inc. certainly has a consistent range of fees for certain services, there are many factors that determine if an organization is on the high end or the low end of the range for each particular service.

What are some of those factors? It is what we would refer to as your "level of readiness." Think Jeff Foxworthy here--he is famous for his act, "You know you're a redneck when..." And there ends my knowledge of Jeff Foxworthy.

You know your organization lacks readiness when:

1) We request a copy of your budget and you say, "We don't have one." This has happened, really, it has--and more than once!

2) We ask for any information already written or collected about your existing, planned or proposed project and you have none.

3) In our initial meeting to learn more about your organization, you disclose a significant rift between board and staff or executive director and program managers or your agency and collaborators.

4) You have had very limited funding success in the past due to either lack of effort, inability to perform or deliver on grants as promised, lack of relationships or awareness in the community or even being a new organization.

5) An overworked under-supported executive director will serve as the contact person. This has also happened more than once.

6) When establishing the time line with a client, they sheepishly smile and disclose we have less than the needed amount of time to complete a quality project.

A lack of readiness certainly does not mean we cannot help. We still can! However, first steps will focus on achieving a level of readiness

But, there are things you can do along the way to help keep your organization at a level of readiness that will make working with consultants a whole heck of a lot easier--and sometimes cheaper. What are those things? Of course...that is Part III of the series. Check back soon for more.