The review session is an hourly working session where Ali goes through your completed self-assessment with you and turns it into two priorities. You bring the scorecard and a handful of numbers. You leave with scores you trust, a ranked shortlist, and the first actions for each priority lever. It is the lightest way to work with us, and many owners need nothing more. If you have not scored yourself yet, start with the printable self-assessment.
What happens in the session
We test your scores, rank the weak levers by impact, and agree what to do first. The session follows the same path as our guide to reading your score, with a second person asking the awkward questions.
- Quick context. What you sell, to whom, and what has changed in the last year.
- Score check. For each lever, Ali asks what supports each tick. Some scores go up, more go down.
- Pattern. We look at which cluster of levers is weakest: demand, attention, conversion, trust or engine.
- Impact. Using your own figures, we estimate what moving each weak lever is likely to be worth.
- Priorities. Two levers, ranked, each with one measure and a baseline.
- First actions. Three concrete steps per lever for the next 30 days.
You keep your notes and a short written summary afterwards.
Who it is for
Owners who have scored themselves and want a sanity check before spending money or time.
It is a good fit if you:
- run a small business and do most of the selling yourself
- want an outside view but are not ready for a full project
- have a specific decision coming up, such as hiring, a price change or a marketing contract
- have scored the business with a partner and disagree on what comes first
If you want every score backed by your records rather than discussion, the full growth diagnostic is a better fit.
What to bring
Your scorecard, last quarter's basic numbers and an honest mood. Specifically:
- your completed self-assessment, with the date on it
- monthly revenue for the last three to six months
- rough gross margin on your main products or services
- number of inquiries and number of new customers last month, if you know them
- the decision you are trying to make, if there is one
If you cannot find a figure, bring that fact. A missing number usually points straight at the numbers lever.
Timeline
Sessions are scheduled at a time that suits both of us, by phone or video. Most owners book one to two hours, usually in a single sitting. If something needs more digging afterwards, we can agree a follow-up session or move to a project, but there is no obligation to do either.
How results are measured
A good session ends with two measures you can track without help. For example, "share of calls answered live, currently about 60%" or "quotes followed up within three days, currently none." Re-score those levers in 90 days. If the numbers have moved, the session did its job. If they have not, the next conversation is about why.
Mistakes to avoid
The session is short, so a little preparation makes a big difference.
- Coming without the scorecard. You will spend the paid hour doing it together instead.
- Defending every tick. The point is to find the scores that are too generous.
- Leaving with five priorities. Two is the number for a reason; more than that and nothing moves.
- Not writing the baseline down. Note today's figure for each priority before you hang up.
Price and next step
The review session is billed at our hourly consulting rate of $175 to $350 an hour, in Canadian dollars plus GST/HST for Canadian clients. Your rate is confirmed in writing before the session. Full details are on the pricing page. To set up a session, call, text or email with your lever scores and a line about your business, as explained on the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a review session?
Most owners book one to two hours. One hour covers the scorecard and the priorities; a second hour gives time to sketch the first month's actions in detail.
Is this the same as the free consultation?
No. The free 30-minute consultation is for deciding whether and how to work together. The review session is paid working time spent on your scorecard and your numbers.
Can my business partner join?
Yes, and it often helps. If you have both scored the business separately, bring both sheets. The levers where you disagree are usually where the session earns its fee.
What if I have not done the self-assessment yet?
Do it first. It is free and takes about forty minutes. Without it, the session turns into a general conversation, which is less useful for you and costs the same.