Business Model Diagnostic

Which type of firm are you — and where is the pressure coming from?

Five questions. Two minutes. A clear picture of your firm's business model archetype — and the specific levers that are under pressure right now.

Question 1 of 5
Price & Positioning

How does your firm primarily win new work?

We are competitive on price and turnaround — clients choose us because we are efficient and reliable.
Referrals from existing clients and professional networks — relationships do the work.
We are known for deep expertise in a specific area — clients come to us because no one else does this as well.
Inbound — clients find us through our published thinking, content, or reputation in a defined niche.
Through our technology platform or ecosystem — clients stay because switching cost is high.
Delivery Model

How would you describe the way you deliver your service?

Highly standardised — we have a defined process and the same work is repeated across many clients.
Mostly bespoke — every engagement is different, shaped by what the client specifically needs.
Standardised within a narrow domain — we do one type of work very well and our process is refined for it.
Proprietary process — we have a defined methodology that is ours and clients engage specifically for it.
Platform-driven — our delivery is structured around a technology stack or system clients depend on.
Intellectual Property

What would a client say they are paying for when they engage your firm?

Getting a necessary job done correctly and on time — compliance, documentation, reporting.
Access to trusted people who understand our business and give sound, tailored advice.
Specialist technical knowledge we cannot find easily elsewhere.
A proprietary framework or methodology — a proven system with a track record.
The platform and the ongoing management of our technology environment.
Revenue Architecture

How is most of your revenue structured?

Primarily project or one-off engagements — we win the work, deliver, and then need to find the next job.
A mix — some recurring clients, some project work. No clear structure.
Mostly retainer-based — clients pay a regular amount for ongoing access to our thinking and advice.
Recurring revenue — monthly or annual fees, licence or platform fees.
Mainly project but with a small retainer element we are trying to grow.
Distribution & Visibility

If your top three referrers stopped sending work tomorrow, what would happen?

We would be fine — our brand and reputation generate inbound enquiries independently.
We would feel it, but our platform relationships and vendor ecosystem would cushion it.
It would be a serious problem — our pipeline is almost entirely referral-dependent.
Moderate impact — we have some inbound but referrals still drive most new engagements.
We have enough volume and brand recognition in our compliance niche to absorb it.

Almost done. Where should we send your results?

We'll respond within 24 hours with your firm archetype and pressure analysis.

Mapping your firm archetype...

How your firm scored across all five archetypes
Your Profile

How you scored on each dimension

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