Working agreement.
This page is how I tell if we're a good fit, before either of us spends money or time. You're hiring me so you have fewer things to manage. The way we work together should feel the same. This page sets the rules early, so I can take ownership and you stay informed without guessing.
Why this exists
Most advisors don't need more help that has to be managed. They need fewer things that still stop at them.
So here is what I commit to, and what I ask back. Everything I ask of you, I hold myself to first.
What I hold myself to (and ask back)
The whole deal in three lines. Everything after this is detail.
- 01
I own what's mine and bring you only the decisions that need you.
What I ask back:One person makes the final call.
- 02
You get Looms, written updates and real drafts to review on your time.
What I ask back:Feedback comes with a reason.
- 03
Nothing reaches a client without your OK.
What I ask back:Let review come down as the work earns trust.
Topic 01 / 15
Ownership
When something is mine, I own it. I follow it through, flag what's still open, and tell you when I need a decision.
Good fit
You let me own the work we agreed is mine.
Not a fit
Following behind every step.
Good fit
You tell me where you don't trust it yet, so we review more there first.
Topic 02 / 15
Loom and email first
Most work doesn't need a meeting. You get short Loom videos, written updates and email, so you can respond between client calls. We get on a call when a decision, a training or a messy problem is easier live.
Good fit
You watch a 3-minute Loom and reply when it suits you.
Not a fit
A meeting just to show work is happening.
Good fit
Questions come in one email, not ten.
Not a fit
Notes spread across texts, DMs and email.
Good fit
You know a quiet day on my end is focused work.
Not a fit
Mistaking quiet for nothing happening.
Good fit
A call gets booked when talking will save time.
Not a fit
A meeting for everything, then frustration with the pace.
Topic 03 / 15
Reviews you can see
You review real things: the draft email, the written plan, a Loom of the setup running. You never have to take "it's done" on faith.
Good fit
You mark what's off on the draft itself.
Not a fit
"I don't like it," with no reason.
Good fit
"I'd never say it that way" gives me something to fix and carry forward.
Not a fit
Rewriting it from scratch instead of telling me why.
Good fit
Notes tie to the goal: is it accurate, is it clear, does it sound like you.
Not a fit
"It just doesn't feel right," and nothing more.
Good fit
A two-minute Loom back when the feedback is detailed.
Not a fit
One cryptic line, and a guess on my end.
Topic 04 / 15
Decisions
I won't bring you decisions that belong somewhere else. When I need you, you get the context, the options and the one decision I need.
Good fit
One person gives the final yes.
Not a fit
Five people, five final answers.
Good fit
Others in the agency give input before the answer comes back to me.
Not a fit
Forwarding conflicting opinions and asking me to referee.
Good fit
You own the what and the why. I own the how.
Not a fit
Hiring experience, then overruling it by default.
Topic 05 / 15
Client-facing work
Client work gets a higher bar than internal admin. The facts are right, the trip matches the booking, and the email sounds like you. Nothing client-facing goes out without your OK.
Good fit
You tell me which work truly needs your voice or judgment.
Not a fit
Every internal task treated like a client email.
Good fit
You send a few emails you're proud of, so drafts start from your words.
Topic 06 / 15
Review that comes down
New work gets a full check at first. As it proves reliable, checking moves to spot checks, then to odd cases only. Your attention goes where it's worth spending.
- Full review while the steps are new.
- Sample review once the work is steady.
- Exceptions only when it has earned that.
- If something big changes, review goes back up for a while.
Topic 07 / 15
Your assistant
I won't hold on to work your assistant can own. If they can do it well, I help get it there with written steps, training and clear rules for when to ask.
Good fit
Your assistant gets a real chance to own it once the steps are in place.
Not a fit
Every finished task quietly redone.
Good fit
If the work isn't dependable yet, we fix the reason.
Topic 08 / 15
Tools and AI
I use technology where it takes the right work off your plate, and I'll tell you when the human check still matters. Sometimes the answer is to leave a working process alone.
Good fit
The business need comes first.
Not a fit
Chasing every new feature.
Good fit
A new automation earns its place by removing work.
Not a fit
One more thing for you to watch.
Topic 09 / 15
Scope and priorities
New work is welcome. It's named as new work and priced before it starts. If something new becomes urgent, I'll tell you what moves to make room.
Good fit
Related ideas get named, then you decide.
Not a fit
A project that quietly keeps growing.
Good fit
One kind of trip at a time, done well.
Topic 10 / 15
Settled stays settled
I'll revise as many times as it takes inside the plan. What slows everything down is a settled decision coming unsettled with no new reason.
Good fit
A sign-off is a decision you'll stand behind.
Not a fit
Approving something, then reversing it a week later.
Good fit
Concerns come up before I build, not after.
Not a fit
Reopening last week's decision every week.
Good fit
We change course when there's a real reason.
Topic 11 / 15
Tradeoffs
Faster, cheaper and "your way" are all real options. Each has a cost, and I'll name it up front. If you choose the tradeoff, you own how it plays out.
Good fit
You hear the tradeoff and decide with eyes open.
Not a fit
Wanting the shortcut and the guaranteed result.
Good fit
You let me do it right when the result really matters.
Not a fit
Overriding the advice, then blaming the outcome.
Topic 12 / 15
Your clients, your business
I never sell travel. Your clients, suppliers and commissions stay yours.
- You add me as a user in your tool and can remove me anytime. Your host login is never needed.
- Client emails go out under your name, with your OK.
- Traveler details are used only for your work.
- I sign your NDA and carry E&O insurance.
Topic 13 / 15
Money
You'll know what I will do and what it costs before you pay anything. Both come in writing.
| Operations Review | $295 |
|---|---|
| Workflow Build | From $1,175 |
| Operations Rescue | From $495 |
| Assistant Handoff | From $495 |
| Senior Operations, quarter plan | $1,980 a month |
| Senior Operations, month to month | $2,200 a month |
| Weekly help (lighter plan), quarter plan | $990 a month |
- Book a Workflow Build within 30 days of your Operations Review, and the $295 comes off.
- Monthly help: month 1 has no commitment. Stop at the end of any month.
- Your written plan shows when each payment is due.
Topic 14 / 15
Respect, both ways
I'll be direct, ask when I don't understand, and tell you when I think something is wrong. High standards, hard questions and disagreement are all welcome. Respect isn't up for debate.
Good fit
Push hard on the work.
Not a fit
Pushing hard on the person doing it.
Good fit
Assume good intent when something's off, and talk it through.
Not a fit
Hostile or dismissive at the first problem.
Topic 15 / 15
When the work ends
Once it's paid for, what I built for you is yours to keep and change. It's written down, so you and anyone you hire can run it without me.
The short version
- 01I own what's mine.
- 02You keep the decisions that need you.
- 03Loom and email by default. Calls when they help.
- 04You review real drafts, and feedback comes with a reason.
- 05Nothing reaches a client without your OK.
- 06Review goes where the risk is, and comes down as trust is earned.
- 07New work is named as new work.
- 08Settled decisions stay settled.
Sound right?
Working with me should leave you with less to manage, and no new person to manage.
Tell me what's stuck