Targeted consultation: initial insight into a single question, without documents

Situations suited to a targeted consultation

• An SME manager is considering a new topic and wishes to obtain initial insight before committing any resources.
• A project founder is hesitating between several options and seeks to identify those that merit in-depth examination.
• The manager of a mid-sized company wants to know which thematic consultation corresponds to the question at hand.
• An institutional officer must frame a question before referring it to the governing bodies.
• A single question falls within one of the firm’s four practice areas, without a documented file to analyse.

Process

1. Submission of the question: the client completes the common consultation form (O-06), whatever the topic. This step takes place asynchronously.
2. Admissibility check: the firm reviews the question before any confirmation of the order. When it requires the review of documents, the firm redirects it to the corresponding thematic consultation.
3. Scheduling of the slot or deadline: the firm then sets the date of the exchange or of the note.
4. Exchange or drafting: the 45-minute synchronous exchange takes place from Tuesday to Thursday, at least 7 days after booking (priority slot possible within 3 working days). Otherwise, the firm drafts a short note, asynchronously.
5. Guidance: when the question exceeds the format, the targeted consultation finally points to the appropriate product in the catalogue.

Deliverable

The deliverable takes one of two forms, depending on the format chosen. First, a short note of no more than 2 pages, delivered within 3 working days. Second, failing a note, a 45-minute exchange followed by a record of three to five guidance points. In both cases, the document identifies the topic and presents the available options. It also points to the appropriate format when the question goes beyond initial insight.

Prerequisites

The consultation requires the completed common consultation form (O-06). The question is stated clearly in it, without the name of any third party or any confidential data. No document accompanies the request, since the formula does not involve any review of documents. The form also specifies the format chosen: note or video conference.

Frequently asked questions

How is the choice made between the note and the video conference?

The choice depends on the nature of the question and the intended use of the deliverable. The short note, of no more than 2 pages, provides a directly usable written record. The 45-minute exchange, on the other hand, allows a dialogue on the available options. It gives rise to a record of three to five guidance points. Form O-06 records the format chosen. In both cases, the question remains single and requires no review of documents.

Within what time frame does the targeted consultation take place?

The note is delivered within 3 working days. For the video conference, the slot is at least 7 days after booking (priority slot possible within 3 working days), from Tuesday to Thursday. These periods are indicative and run from receipt of a complete request. In addition, a consumer client requesting performance within the withdrawal period gives express prior consent, after being informed of its consequences.

What happens if the question requires the review of documents?

The admissibility check takes place before any confirmation of the order. When a question requires the review of documents, the firm redirects it to the corresponding thematic consultation. This check thus prevents the formula from being used outside its scope. Thematic consultations cover the analysis of a documented situation, on each of the topics in the catalogue.

Does interactive assistance help to formulate the question?

Yes. Interactive assistance supports the completion of form O-06. In particular, it helps to rephrase the question and checks the completeness of the answers. However, the assistance does not issue any opinion and does not assess any particular situation. The firm then examines the question and conducts the consultation alone.

Does the information provided remain confidential?

Yes. The firm treats as confidential the information and documents provided by the client. It uses them solely for the purposes of the service. This obligation also survives the end of the relationship. The prerequisite further excludes any third-party name and any confidential data from the question. Finally, the client is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.

What follows a targeted consultation?

The consultation may suffice when the question is answered. Otherwise, it points to a thematic consultation, for the analysis of a documented situation. A topic calling for structured work falls rather under the Strategic Diagnosis package. Finally, a recurring need may lead to the Reference subscription, intended for small organisations. The client nevertheless remains the sole decision-maker as to the follow-up given to the guidance.

Out of scope

The targeted consultation involves neither the review of documents nor the analysis of a documented situation, which fall under thematic consultations. A crisis situation in progress falls, for its part, under the crisis consultation. The formula also excludes any support assignment. Finally, it involves neither representation before an authority or a court nor the drafting of legal instruments, which fall to a licensed professional.