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Why Doesn’t Connectual use an Hourly Rate for Consulting?

FAQ #15

Friday, April 2, 2010 | Posted by Aaron Goldman

Posted In: About Connectual / FAQs

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Now that I've finished my book manuscript -- check out GoogleyLessons.com for more details on that project -- I can get back to more regular posting.

Let's start by addressing a question I've been getting a lot lately... 

Why doesn't Connectual charge an hourly rate for consulting services?

To answer this question, I'd like to relay a story that Tom Kuthy, formerly of Resolution Media, shared with me in the context of negotiating agency fees with a client during a new business pitch. 

Some fifty years ago, a man was walking along the French Riviera and who should he stumble upon but the famous artist, Pablo Picasso. An art lover himself, the man couldn't believe his good fortune.

"Mr. Picasso," he said, "It's an honor to meet you. I'm such a big fan. You simply must draw a sketch for me. I'd be so grateful. I'll pay whatever it costs. Please, draw something for me."

"Ok," said Picasso. So he whipped out a pen and pad, scribbled a doodle, signed it, and handed it to the man. "That'll be $10,000."

"$10,000!?!" the man asked incredulously. "But it took you less than a minute to draw that!?!"

"Ahh, yes," came the reply, "but it took me 80 years to become Picasso!"