Steering subscription: operational continuous advisory for SMEs, mid-sized companies and exporters

Situations suited to the advisory subscription for SMEs

• A growing SME must coordinate day-to-day decisions, compliance and projects over the same period.
• An executive committee seeks to shorten the time taken for its day-to-day decisions.
• An exporting company deals with several organisational and compliance questions each month.
• A mid-sized company wishes to track its decisions in a dedicated table, then re-examine them each quarter.
• Several members of management need access to the tools and the interactive training courses.

Process

1. Subscription and scoping. The subscription begins with sign-up and the opening of the secure space. A 90-minute scoping session then sets the framework for follow-up.
2. Monthly volume. Each month, the subscriber has two 60-minute sessions and ten written questions. Each question covers a single topic, and the answer is two pages at most.
3. Answers to written questions. ASKonsult answers within three working days of receipt of the relevant information.
4. Access to tools and the portal. The subscriber has access to all the operational tools in the catalogue. The interactive portal also provides completion assistance and interactive training courses, for three user accounts.
5. Quarterly consultation. Each quarter also includes one thematic written consultation, chosen from the thematic consultations in the catalogue.
6. Quarterly review. Finally, an orientation review re-examines decisions each quarter. It relies on a decision-tracking table.

Deliverable

The deliverable of the advisory subscription for SMEs first brings together the written answers and the session records. It then includes the thematic written consultation for each quarter. A quarterly review note also records the examination of orientations. Finally, the decision-tracking table records the decisions examined during reviews. Written answers are provided within three working days, and these documents are exchanged through the secure exchange space.

Prerequisites

The subscription requires the designation of a contact person and a deputy. This pair provides the information relevant to each question. In addition, management data reaches ASKonsult before each quarterly review. The response period therefore runs from receipt of the necessary information.

Frequently asked questions

What does access to the interactive portal include?

The interactive portal combines two functions. Completion assistance first helps to complete the tools and frameworks: explanation of sections, clarification of what is expected and completeness checks. The interactive training courses then offer an individual learning path on several topics. Access covers three named user accounts. However, the assistance does not issue any opinion: the firm analyses and validates the prepared work.

How does the quarterly consultation work?

Each quarter, the subscriber has one thematic written consultation, chosen from the thematic consultations in the catalogue. It takes the form of a note, like any written consultation. Beyond this consultation, additional consultations are subject to separate orders. Packages follow the same rule and are also subject to a separate order according to the catalogue.

What commitment period and what volume?

The advisory subscription for SMEs carries a six-month commitment, followed by monthly renewal. The monthly volume includes two 60-minute sessions and ten written questions. This volume is fixed: unused questions are not carried over. Finally, the special terms specify the terms of renewal and termination.

What is the purpose of the quarterly orientation review?

The quarterly review re-examines orientations on the basis of the management data provided by the subscriber. It relies on the decision-tracking table. A review note then records its conclusions. However, the manager remains the sole decision-maker regarding the orientations adopted, since the service is subject to an obligation of means.

Does the information provided remain confidential?

ASKonsult treats as confidential the information and management data provided by the subscriber. These items are exchanged only through the secure exchange space and are used solely for the purposes of the subscription. This obligation also survives the end of the relationship. On the interactive portal, entries are further limited to the information needed to complete the tool.

What follows as needs evolve?

A general management facing investment, institutional or crisis issues is better suited to the Executive subscription (A-03). Conversely, the Reference subscription (A-01) corresponds to a lighter need. In addition, the Strategic diagnostic and roadmap package (K-01) and the AI maturity assessment and governance package (K-22) are possible next steps.

Out of scope

The advisory subscription for SMEs includes neither consultations beyond the quarterly consultation nor packages, which are subject to separate orders. It also excludes any representation before an authority or a court. The drafting of legal instruments likewise remains outside the tier. Finally, questions not used in a given month are not carried over to the following period.