Advisory engagement
Scale-up advisory for founder-led companies
Wayne Fraser's Scale-Up Advisory costs $3,500/month for approximately 1 day per month. It is for founders who need him in the room but do not need embedded execution.
On this page
What scale-up advisory is
Scale-up advisory is senior advice for a founder whose company is growing. It gives the founder an experienced person to think with, without an embedded role inside the company.
The fee is $3,500/month for approximately 1 day per month. The engagement suits founders who need me in the room but do not need embedded execution.
I work as a Fractional COO, Transformation Executive and Founder Operating Partner. Of my three engagements, advisory asks for the least of my time.
Scale-Up Advisory compared with the Fractional COO engagement
When the company needs execution as well as advice, the Fractional COO engagement is the larger option.
| Item | Scale-Up Advisory | Fractional COO |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $3,500/month | $7,500/month |
| Time commitment | Approximately 1 day per month | Approximately 1.5 days per week |
| Format | Me in the room, without embedded execution | Weekly leadership meeting, operating system, KPI management and more |
Who Scale-Up Advisory suits
Scale-Up Advisory suits a founder whose leadership team can carry out the work. It also suits a founder who needs an experienced person in the room. With a capable team and a clear plan, a founder can use advisory well.
The page about who I work with covers the size and stage of company I work with. My best fit is $2M–$10M in revenue and 15–50 employees.
The monthly time commitment
The fee covers approximately 1 day per month of my time. The format is advice from someone in the room, with no embedded execution.
In general, a senior advisor can help with hiring, technology choices and the structure of a leadership team.
Without embedded execution, the leadership team carries the work. That is the limit of advisory, and some companies need a larger engagement.
When advisory is enough and when it is not
The signs below come from the symptoms I list for founder-led companies. They are a guide.
| Advisory may be enough when | A fractional COO fits when |
|---|---|
| Your leadership team already carries decisions and execution | Everything still comes back to the CEO |
| You have an operating rhythm and want a senior second opinion | There is no operating rhythm |
| You need a sounding board on a few decisions | Decisions are not getting made and managers are not accountable |
| Your systems and processes work for now | Systems and processes are beginning to break down |
Getting the most from advisory time
Advisory can work best when a founder brings a clear question. A short list of open decisions helps, and so does a current view of the company's KPIs.
It also helps to know who is accountable for each area of the business. If the same decision returns month after month, look at the operating rhythm around it.
A founder who finds that pattern may be ready for a larger engagement. The table above shows the signs, and the choice is yours.
What Scale-Up Advisory costs
Scale-Up Advisory costs $3,500/month. That is the lowest fee of my three engagements, for the smallest time commitment: approximately 1 day per month.
The Fractional COO engagement costs $7,500/month for approximately 1.5 days per week. Fractional COO + AI Transformation costs $10,000–$12,500/month for approximately 2 days per week.
For a wider look at fractional pricing, read what a fractional COO costs. To talk about advisory for your company, use the contact form.
My main product
My main product is the 90-Day Scale-Up Operating System, a method in three phases. Its own page describes each phase.
Frequently asked questions
What is scale-up advisory?
Scale-up advisory is senior advice for a founder whose company is growing. Wayne's Scale-Up Advisory is for founders who need him in the room but do not need embedded execution. It costs $3,500/month for approximately 1 day per month.
When is advisory enough and when do I need a fractional COO?
Advisory may be enough when your leadership team can carry out the work and you need a senior sounding board. A fractional COO fits when execution, accountability and operating rhythm also need attention. Wayne's Fractional COO engagement is approximately 1.5 days per week.
How much does scale-up advisory cost?
Wayne's Scale-Up Advisory costs $3,500/month for approximately 1 day per month.
Does Scale-Up Advisory include embedded execution?
Scale-Up Advisory is for founders who do not need embedded execution. Wayne is in the room, and the leadership team carries out the work. The Fractional COO engagement includes strategic execution and team accountability.
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