I structure engagements so narrative strategy, institutional analysis, and writing execution stay aligned throughout the engagement. I work from clearly defined engagement parameters, structured working sessions, and explicit agreements about what comes next, so both parties maintain clarity and forward momentum. I don’t manage operational execution unless that is explicitly part of our engagement.

I maintain coherence at the narrative and editorial layer, and I deliver the assets we’ve agreed to on the timelines we’ve agreed to. I do not manage operational execution unless it is explicitly included in scope.

The sections below outline this collaborative process in detail and explain how responsibilities, scope, and working rhythm are defined across an engagement.

I'm a narrative infrastructure strategist with deep expertise in the complex institutional environments of highly regulated industries like healthcare.

I understand the value of a well-defined collaboration structure. It's this structure that prevents misunderstandings, missed deadlines, budget overruns, invoicing disputes, and compliance errors. That can ensure a mutually beneficial collaboration.

My goal is a clear, professionally grounded collaboration with defined scope, working rhythm, and decision-making clarity.

Below are some policies and procedures that I established over the years I've worked as an narrative strategy consultant. They’re also based on continued legislative attempts to establish parameters for independent consultants. That includes the ABC test (or some version of the ABC test), which many states use to determine who is a true independent contractor. 

For me, these policies and procedures are keys to our successful collaboration, no matter what engagement type we undertake. These parameters define the full arc of our engagement, from initial discovery through final deliverable.

I operate under Thrive Media, Inc. as an incorporated consultant. Kaizen Narrative Strategy is a division of Thrive Media, Inc.

I offer my solutions to multiple clients simultaneously, including those in the same sector or industry, under that corporation. I do not sign non-compete agreements.

The primary contact for my clients is a senior leader in your institution who has decision-making authority. 

This independent consultant framework and work process below is meant to ensure engagements that comply with existing state and federal laws for independent contractors operating as incorporated business consultants. 

It's meant to provide informational guidance only. Since I’m not a lawyer, your institution should confirm any independent contractor requirements with counsel and relevant labor agencies.

Here's an overview of my business framework.

As the managing principal of Thrive Media, I operate as an independent consultant and assume the normal business risk that comes with that role. I build and maintain client relationships across multiple organizations, and my revenue is generated through scoped engagements rather than ongoing employment. Our initial discussions focus on alignment: objectives, audience, constraints, timeline, scope, and decision-making process. If we’re aligned, we define the engagement parameters that support the work and protect clarity on both sides.

After the introductory call described under Workflow Process, we outline scope, responsibilities, timeline, and fees. I invoice through Thrive Media, Inc., and accept payment through its business bank account or other approved processor.

Whether it's a one-off consulting engagement or a longer-term one, we define the scope and duration of our engagement in a formal agreement. We will only work under a fully executed contract between your institution and my corporation. Since I'm only incorporated in my state, if we use my corporation's agreement, our contract will be governed by the laws of my state.

I bring my expertise to your institution as an independent consultant, without expecting guaranteed work from you. I work during the hours and from a remote location determined by me using tools and equipment I own and control. I rarely travel to client offices, but when I do, I require compensation for that travel and in office time. 

The engagement agreement will outline the scope and workflow while maintaining my independence as an external consultant. Collaboration is defined through clear responsibilities, approvals, and deliverables.

My offerings are customized to the specific narrative challenges you identify. Because you may not have professionals on staff with my unique skills, you've determined a need for my consultant expertise. While my work can be beneficial to your institution, my services aren't integral to your day-to-day operations.*

(* This language satisfies statutory requirements under independent contractor classifications, including the ABC Test and related federal and state regulations governing the engagement of independent consultants.)

I'm a doctoral researcher with a master's in corporate communications and an award-winning multi-skilled journalist who's been an independent communications consultant for over 25 years. I bring a unique blend of scholarly rigor, professional skills and creative initiative to every project. That includes advanced analytical, problem-solving, strategic communications, and project management skills. The statement of work or other terms of our formal engagement agreement will outline many of those.

If you’re interested in narrative strategy, we begin with a brief email exchange and a 30–45 minute introductory call. This step confirms fit and clarifies objectives, audience, constraints, scope, timeline, and resources. Strategy begins after we enter the engagement and confirm the working plan.

If you want me to help you solve your strategic narrative challenges, after our introductory call, we would start our work together with paid consulting time. If your initial need is for a focused strategic conversation or preliminary ideation session, we establish a consulting fee for that time. 

Consulting time is billed with a two-hour minimum at my standard rate. Afterward, I provide a short written summary of what we covered and the most practical next steps. Comprehensive strategy requires a Discovery Project.

If we agree a much more in-depth discovery project (or a narrative strategy assessment) is ideal, we establish a written, clearly defined scope for the engagement. I then provide you with a working quote and an invoice for prepayment in full.

Once we complete the discovery project (or narrative strategy assessment), I develop a strategic narrative blueprint specific to your institution that's designed to meet the specific narrative strategy objectives revealed during our discovery project.

After you receive your strategic blueprint, if we agree I should work with you to complete your narrative strategy development project, I will provide the additional fees required to continue. Otherwise, you will have an institutional asset you can use to execute your project in-house or to hire another consultant for that work.

Deliverables are decision-quality institutional assets. The underlying methodology, including research protocols and synthesis processes, remains proprietary to Kaizen Narrative Strategy.

Before beginning any work on whatever solution you choose, we execute a detailed agreement between your institution and my corporation, Thrive Media, Inc.

If we use your institution's contract, I review the contract and, if I request no changes, I sign the document and return to you quickly so we can begin work. If the contract includes terms that require clarification, I may have it reviewed by legal professionals.

Clients compensate in advance me for all. Fees are established by engagement scope and strategic complexity. 

Pre-engagement discussions or work constitutes consulting time. This includes any work before formal contract or written agreement related to narrative strategy. Strategic conversations with your communications or marketing leaders, reviews of content or other materials related to your initiative, and interviews or discussions with your institution's leaders are all billable consulting time.

For pre-engagement work, I invoice for a minimum of two hours at my regular consulting rate, regardless of verbal agreements. Most clients find it more efficient to sign a written engagement agreement before beginning any work, which incorporates a maximum number of monthly hours for phone and email consulting time.

Fees reflect scope, complexity, and the level of strategic and research rigor required. I may use publicly available information about your institution to help determine my fees. 

All narrative strategy engagements require prepayment in full by bank ACH. I do not extend credit to private non-media institutions. I don't start work until payment clears Thrive Media's corporate bank account. Clients pay all ACH and transfer fees.

Fees and payment terms are established in a written contract between your organization and Thrive Media Inc. to prevent payment disputes. Because payment compensates for time already reserved and invested, fees are nonrefundable.

As an incorporated consultant, I'm not entirely dependent on any single organization for work. It's possible that during our initial interactions, we may find that we're not the right fit for each other. So, both parties reserve the right, in writing, to decline further engagement at any point before any compensable work starts.

I guarantee delivery of original strategic assets and affirm the use of ethical editorial support systems, including generative AI tools, in alignment with each client’s compliance and review requirements and my role as an independent contractor.

This ensures that all my deliverables reflect transparent human authorship and adhere to your organization’s regulatory and ethical standards.

While I may use advanced editorial technologies to improve accuracy and efficiency, I never delegate the creative or analytical judgment that defines my work to those tools or to others.

Every narrative strategy engagement I undertake and editorial package I deliver reflect my professional integrity, intellectual rigor, and full accountability.

The policies and procedures identified here may not include all those necessary for Thrive Media, Inc. to engage with a specific organization.

Written contracts supersede the policies on this page and any verbal (or email) agreements. These policies also may change or get expanded without notice, and I will implement those changes in writing in client relationships with Kaizen Narrative Strategy.

If this engagement structure aligns with how your institution works, contact me to discuss scope and fit.