Advisory Pricing

Clarity first. Full transparency. Real outcomes.

Advisory only works when it creates tangible value. Before we talk about fees or longer-term collaboration, we need to establish one thing: is there meaningful fit, and can I help you move faster with fewer mistakes?

I run advisory alongside a full executive leadership role. That is intentional. I take on a small number of partnerships so every engagement gets depth, focus, and high signal, not diluted attention.

If we work together, you get my brain, not my bandwidth.

Step 1 — Initial Alignment

My first investment

In those two hours we will:

This is not a sales call. It’s the shortest path to clarity.

Step 2 — Strategic Sprint

One problem. Focused work. Fast progress.

Strategic Sprint

Typical sprint topics:

No open ends. No vague deliverables. One sprint. One outcome.

Step 3 — Retainer Partnerships

Continuity when the work requires more than a single session

When the work benefits from ongoing context and repeat decisions, we move into a retainer. Retainers are always structured as explicit monthly time blocks. Time is deducted transparently. Nothing is hidden.

A retainer reserves availability and continuity. It secures priority access to my time and thinking capacity each month, whether all hours are used or not. This is about access and context, not minute-by-minute utilisation.

Entry Retainer

Core Partnership Retainers

Larger retainers cost less per hour because they create better conditions for the work: less friction, higher trust, fewer context switches, better continuity. That improves the economics on both sides.

In return, retainers assume ongoing engagement and planning on both sides, rather than ad-hoc usage.

Step 4 — Long-Term Alignment

Equity and shared upside (selective)

When there is strong mutual conviction and proven collaboration, I’m open to equity-based alignment. This is never the default. It is a deliberate choice.

Typical structure:

If the company wins, we win together. If it doesn’t, I walk away with nothing but the learning. Equity alignment only makes sense once trust and value are established.

Scarcity by design

I don’t do advisory at volume. I keep it selective so the quality stays high.

That means:

If we work together, you won’t compete for attention. You’ll get it.

Full transparency, always

Every engagement is explicit about:

No ambiguity. No surprises. No fuzzy “advisory hours”.

Start with clarity

The simplest next step is the Initial Alignment session.

Two hours. No cost. Real work.

niklaus@niklausgerber.com