Here's the way I do things.
First, I spend time trying figure out the "it". I preach this to my guys over and over. What is "it"?
I'll have a lengthy conversation with the potential client and through that discussion begin to find out what the mission is. What are his goals? Often times, the potential client doesn't really have a clear cut idea of what those goals are, so I'll ask questions directed at creating thought, followed by discussion, as to what the client's vision is...and that leads to a better definition as to what the goals are.
For example, I'd ask Roadwarrior questions like this...."You want to improve your lake in Hawaii. In your mind's eye, tell me what the lake would be like, if you had it your way." Then, he would respond accordingly like, "We catch some fairly good peacock bass, but the largemouth bass are few, and thin. If we could go out on any given day and catch 30-35 healthy largemouth bass up to 6 or 8 pound, with a chance at double-digit fish, we would be happy." That helps me understand the fisheries goals. Next, I'd want to have a much better understanding of more experiential things such as, "We also want to enjoy the lake and make sure that the fish, plants, animals...everything that should be there, is there."
Then, I'd ask questions about how he does things. Is there a ranch manager, does he own equipment such as tractors, boats...stuff like that to see what sorts of resources he has and how he thinks for his management style.
I'll ask about his family, his career, his faith and get as personal as I think I need to in order to have a clear understanding of who he is, what he believes, what he wants and then I begin to come to a conclusion about what I might be able to do to help.
THEN, I begin talking about the lake and my opinion as to what needs to be done to get baseline information about it, in order to design a custom management strategy.
At that time, we begin talking about money, budget, expectations of each other and what kind of results, based on the time line the client wants.
For this process, I charge an initial consulting fee. That fee is based on how long it will take to travel to and from and how much time the consultation will take, and how long it will take me to produce an initial report and proposal for services to create the management strategy.
Travel expenses are figured in additionally.
For example, if Fred can get me into his suitcase to Hawaii, the airfare will be considerably less expensive...just that $25 for the baggage, plus a fine for overweight.
Seriously...I charge $1,000 per day for my services, plus freight.
Here's a fundamental template how I do what I do.
First consultation...
1) Establish clear cut goals.
2) Learn about the client and his "vision".
3) Discuss what I can do to be of best service.
4) Talk about his resources, including the lake, his land, his pocketbook..a budget, and a time frame as to what he expects.
5) Define the next step, such as evaluating the lake, its water, its inhabitants, its habitat, food chain, the fishery...all that fisheries biologist stuff.
6) Give a price to move to the next step.
Second consultation is a gathering of data for a baseline. That's where we actually evaluate the lake, electrofish...or use whatever sampling techniques best suited for that particular situation. We look at the lake as a whole and then do our best to get a breakdown of all the elements...water quality, fertility, cover, structure...habitat stuff.
Next, having the baseline information and data, with a clear understanding of the goals, we design a custom management strategy/plan for the client to manage his lake at the level that best suits his needs, timeline and expectations.
At that point, we create a timeline with a line-by-line itemized cost projection in the report and proposal for management.
That's where we start looking at things like regular water quality analysis, fish feeders, stocking fish, aeration, vegatation management...whatever the client, my biologist or I agree on.
Then, it goes on the calendar, we get busy and get the day to day tasks done, based on what that client wants and expects. As we do our work, we communicate both before and after a visit to the property. We'll tell the client when we plan to be there..and if he wants to meet us there, we sync our schedule with his...and then a follow up report about what all was accomplished. Often, this follow up includes digital photos of what we saw.
That's the fundamental approach as how we do what we do. Each one is custom, based on that client and his lake.
We can act in an advisory capacity, if the client is best served that way, or we'll design everything from the lake to the boathouse to the tackle lockers, if he wants.
Each task is charged based on several things. Time, cost and travel.
That's our core business model.
