The Monthly Strategy Review (Retainer Pulse Check)

Please remove this form template insight sections before publishing.

Form Insight: The Monthly Strategy Review Form

1. The Power of "Binary Alignment"

In the section regarding Priorities Verification, the form uses a "Yes/No" toggle before asking for text input.

• The Insight: This forces the client to make a definitive choice. In long-term consulting, "scope creep" happens when priorities become blurry. By forcing an explicit "Yes" every 30 days, you are essentially getting a monthly re-confirmation of your value proposition. If they click "No," it triggers an immediate pivot, preventing you from wasting weeks on irrelevant tasks.

2. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Balance

The form is designed to capture two different types of data: Hard ROI (KPIs) and Soft Sentiment (Satisfaction scores).

• The Insight: Data alone is cold. You could be hitting every target, but if the client feels the communication is poor, the relationship is at risk. Conversely, if the client loves you but the numbers are down, the relationship is also at risk.
• The Strategy: By placing these side-by-side, you can identify "Value Gaps." For example, if the KPI table is green (performing well) but the Satisfaction score is low, you know the issue is with the experience of working with you, not the results.

3. Shifting the Burden of Momentum

The Obstacles & Blockers section is arguably the most critical part of the template.

• The Insight: In many consulting setups, the consultant is blamed for slow progress. This section of the form flips the script. It highlights that success is a two-way street.
• The Strategy: When the client identifies an internal bottleneck (like a slow approval process), it empowers you to act as a partner who helps them optimize their internal operations, rather than just a vendor waiting for an email.

4. The "Big Win" Anchor

Asking the client to name the Most Significant Achievement is a deliberate anchoring technique.

• The Insight: Humans have a "recency bias." If the last 48 hours were stressful, the client might forget the amazing work you did three weeks ago.
• The Strategy: By making the client type out the win in their own words, they are reinforcing the value of your services to themselves. This section becomes a library of testimonials and proof-of-work that you can use during annual contract renewals.

Please remove this mandatory questions recommendation before publishing.

Mandatory questions & core rationale:

1. The Value Rating (Satisfaction Score)

Question: "On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate the value provided over the last 30 days?"

• Why it’s mandatory: This is your early-warning system. In consulting, clients often "quietly quit" or grow frustrated without voicing it until the contract renewal date.
• The Logic: A score of 9 or 10 is your green light to ask for referrals or expansion. A 7 or 8 is "dangerously comfortable"—the client sees you as a utility, not a partner. Anything below 7 is an immediate "Code Red" that requires a face-to-face meeting to save the account.

2. Priority Verification

Question: "Are the current top 3 focus areas still the most critical for your business? If no, please specify."

• Why it’s mandatory: It prevents Strategic Drift. Business goals change rapidly; if you are still working on a goal from 60 days ago that is no longer a priority for the CEO, your work will be perceived as "low value" regardless of how well you execute it.
• The Logic: This forces the client to "re-sign" the contract's focus every month, ensuring you are always tethered to their current highest-value problem.

3. The "Blocker" Identification

Question: "Are there any internal bottlenecks (budget, personnel, tech) preventing us from hitting our targets?"

• Why it’s mandatory: This shifts the responsibility of success back to a shared model. If a project fails because the client’s internal IT team didn't provide access, this question documents that the delay was not the consultant's fault.
• The Logic: It allows you to troubleshoot the client's organization. By identifying these blockers, you move from "worker" to "problem solver," helping them fix their internal inefficiencies.

4. The "What If" (Innovation Question)

Question: "If you could change one thing about our current workflow or strategy, what would it be?"

• Why it’s mandatory: This is the "Safety Valve." Clients often have small annoyances (e.g., "I wish the reports were shorter" or "I'd prefer a phone call over Slack") that they feel are too petty to bring up in a meeting.
• The Logic: If these small frictions aren't surfaced, they accumulate into "Retainer Fatigue." Asking this question gives them a formal, safe space to provide constructive criticism that improves the relationship.