How it works
SLS works in stages. Each one has a clear purpose. At each step, either side decides whether to keep going.
1. Listen First
Garrett spends time in the business to understand how it runs.
The aim is to find opportunities, not to find fault.
By the end, the owner and Garrett agree on a goal and on the price of the first project.
That price is the deferred fee described below. It is not a separate charge.
2. Prove It
SLS commits to reaching the agreed number, whatever that takes. It does not commit to a fixed list of projects.
The work is taken on a few pieces at a time.
The first project works in both directions. The owner gets to judge whether Garrett is the right partner before any talk of ownership.
How the fee works
- The fee is deferred. It is earned only from measured profit above a baseline.
- The baseline comes from the owner's last three years of tax returns.
- Owner benefit from those years is averaged into a month-by-month baseline.
- Profit is measured on the business's own books after each month closes.
- In a month below the baseline, nothing is owed.
- There is no catch-up from earlier months.
Stopping
The work has no end date. Either side can step away at any time.
Fees already earned are paid. Nothing more is owed. The owner keeps everything SLS built.
A written agreement covers the terms.
3. Build It
If the goal is reached, Garrett can earn part ownership in the business.
That ownership comes only through sweat equity.
4. Steward It
Garrett becomes a strategy partner. He is less involved in the day-to-day work.
This stage runs under an ongoing stewardship agreement.
The cycle repeats
After a change is in place, SLS watches the results.
While that happens, Garrett runs another Listen First. It can lead to another Prove It project or to a talk about partnership.
Week to week
- Garrett spends time in person at the business, where the work happens.
- The work comes in small pieces, not one large plan.
- After each month closes, the owner and Garrett review the results against that month's baseline.
Tools
SLS uses these tools to close exchange gaps once the work has started. They are never the starting point.
- Gemba: going to the place where the work happens.
- Time-Based Leadership.
- Lean.