The Decision Diagnostic guarantee.
We run a 14-day Decision Diagnostic for a fixed fee. By Day 14, one of three things is true, measured at the Day 14 readout, not on a later date: at least 3x the Diagnostic fee in recoverable value, a strategic finding of equivalent materiality, or a 100% refund. Typical outcome is 5x to 10x.
Three ways the guarantee resolves.
- The dollar path.
At least 3x the Diagnostic fee in quantified, owner-accepted value, defined as recoverable cash, recoverable margin, or avoided cost, named in writing by Day 14. This is the path most Diagnostics hit.
- The strategic finding.
If no dollar path exists at the required scale, a strategic finding of equivalent materiality confirmed in writing may substitute. Examples include a pricing architecture change, a product-line exit with owner commitment, or a capital-structure change that materially shifts near-term cash position.
- Full refund.
If neither of the above is true at the Day 14 readout, 100% of the Diagnostic fee is refunded. No argument, no conditions, no second look.
What “recoverable value” means.
Recoverable value is not recovered cash. It is capital, in dollars, reachable through decisions the owner can make now, with a named path to capture it. Recoverable value falls into one of three categories:
- Recoverable cash: funds currently leaving the business that a decision can stop or redirect
- Recoverable margin: revenue or gross profit available at current volume that pricing or product-mix decisions can capture
- Avoided cost: future spend a decision made now eliminates
Naming the number and the path is what the Diagnostic is paid for. Capturing the number is what the 90-Day Decision Resolution is paid for. The Diagnostic guarantee measures the naming, not the capturing.
To see what the Day 14 report looks like for a business your size, preview the Recoverable Value Report: three questions, five categories, an effort tier per finding.
Who the guarantee fits.
Operating companies with $5M to $50M in revenue making high-stakes decisions without the financial infrastructure to defend them. Pricing calls, product-line additions or exits, hiring plans, debt or equity decisions, ownership transitions. The owner is accountable for the outcome and needs the math behind the next move.
The floor is $5M in revenue. Below that, the guarantee math does not hold and we refer out. If the business is outside the $5M to $50M band, we will say so on the first call.
How the Diagnostic fee applies to what comes next.
A 90-Day Decision Resolution signed within 7 days of the Day 14 readout credits 100% of the Diagnostic fee against the Resolution fee. Past Day 21, the Diagnostic fee is sunk and no credit applies. The credit window is there to reward speed of decision, not to create urgency theater.
Clients who continue to a Decision Partnership pay a 5% success fee on confirmed Realized Value, certified quarterly against Financial Rhythms™ methodology. Realized Value certification is against methodology, not opinion.
Fixed fees by company size.
All engagements are fixed fee, banded by revenue, so the economics make sense at the company's scale before work begins.
The Decision Diagnostic (14 days): $10,000 for $5M to $8M revenue; $15,000 for $8M to $25M; $20,000 for $25M to $50M.
The 90-Day Decision Resolution: $30,000 for $5M to $8M; $45,000 for $8M to $25M; $60,000 for $25M to $50M. Diagnostic fee credits 100% if signed within 7 days of the Day 14 readout.
The Decision Partnership (monthly retainer): $7,500 per month for $5M to $8M; $10,000 for $8M to $25M; $12,500 for $25M to $50M. Adds a 5% success fee on quarterly-certified Realized Value.
What is in the engagement letter.
Every term on this page is in the engagement letter, signed both sides before work begins. The guarantee is not stop-work. The owner keeps every deliverable produced through the Diagnostic regardless of which of the three guarantee paths the engagement resolves to. The guarantee measures against the Day 14 readout, not a follow-up period.
We don’t audit the past. We make the next call defensible.
Book 30 minutes with Russ.
No pitch. You leave with at least one named action.
Book 30 minutes with RussDecide from the numbers. Prove it in the cash.