Frequently Asked Questions
- How does JME bill its clients?
- Will JME sign a confidentiality (non-disclosure) agreement with us?
- Will JME sign a contract with us?
- How does JME bill its clients?
We try to avoid surprising our clients with invoices. JME has billed clients using several methods. If JME’s services are required for an indefinite period, with the outcome not fully under the control of JME and the client, JME bills an hourly rate. JME also offers a retainer for a maximum number of hours per month, with the client’s approval required for work in excess of the retainer. For example, regulatory strategy services are usually billed hourly or on retainer. If JME and the client can agree on a package of services to be delivered by an agreed time, all of which is under the control of JME and the client, then JME can quote a fixed fee. For example, JME might quote a fixed fee for a market expansion strategy report to be written and presented by a certain date, and to include agreed contents. For acquisition and settlement negotiations, in limited situations, JME has worked for a base fee plus an agreed percentage of the value to the client if the deal succeeds. JME bills all expenses without mark-up.
- Will JME sign a confidentiality (non-disclosure)
agreement with us?
While JME always treats its clients affairs as private, we prefer that clients do not reveal confidential information to us until the client and JME have decided to work together. However, JME understands that confidentiality agreements are exchanged before serious discussions in many industries. We request that those agreements contain these provisions:
- Clear Labels: Only information marked “Confidential” will be treated as such.
- Time Limit: Most information JME receives from clients has no market value after a few years. We feel two years is usually an appropriate limit to the term of most confidentiality agreements.
- Disposal of Information: JME requires the right to maintain copies of client information for JME’s internal quality control, legal and tax purposes. Other copies will be destroyed by JME (we will return unique items of obvious value)
- Will JME sign a contract with
us?
Yes, we require a contract signed by a client’s corporate officer before we start work. Our own standard contract is typically under 4 pages, and details the nature of the work, deadlines, expected results, fees, payment and reporting requirements.