Our Busines Model

The Lightning Tree business model is predicated on attracting experienced independent consultants to work in an innovative, respectful, and co-operative environment where they are incented to support and profit from each other's success.

Lowest Transparent Margins in the Industry

We start with the lowest margins in the industry. Most of our consultants tend to find their own opportunities and when they do, they are guaranteed a fixed margin of only 5%. No need to shop around or negotiate. Where we bring opportunities to a consultant, the same low 5% margin applies as a base and an additional margin may apply to recognize the effort expended and the value of the opportunity to the consultant. As well, any additional margin is lowered if and when the consultant is able to secure additional work with the same client as we recognize that this is typically due to the good work that they have done and their ability to forge a relationship with the client.

Revenue Sharing

But margin is only part of the story. Of the 5% base margin, a full 30% is put aside for our proprietary revenue sharing model that sees our consultants rewarded quarterly with a cheque for a share of the revenues of our entire consultant population – with the share distribution based on the amount that each consultant has historically contributed to the business model. A typical consultant working full-time could expect to earn their first revenue sharing unit within 4 to 6 months.

Referrals

Additionally, we provide incentives for referrals by awarding up to 2 additional units in the profit sharing model for each referral. These units are awarded to the referree as their referral earns their first two units, thereby giving the referrer a vested interest in the onging success of their referral and encouraging cooperation and mentoring amongst our consultants. In this way, consultants who bring their network into our network are handsomely rewarded and all parties benefit from continuing to do work together. If someone makes a referral and is not interested in participating in the revenue sharing pool, they may exercise an option to receive a $1000 cash referral bonus instead.

Business-Building Opportunities

Our low margin approach also allows our consultants, associates, and affiliates many opportunities to build their own business along side our business. For example, if one of our consultants finds an excellent opportunity for another consultant they can negotiate with that consultant an additional margin on top of our base 5% margin that would be payable directly to the consultant who found the opportunity. In this way, consultants are able to bring together strong teams of people to address client opportunities and not only get referral bonuses and/or revenue sharing units but also build a negotiated margin revenue stream that rewards them directly for their business development efforts. All parties benefit from such an arrangement – we grow our business, our revenue sharing unit holders grow the value of their shares, the referred consultant earns revenue sharing units, and the referring consultant earns referral bonuses/units and additional bottom line revenues.

Different Ways of Being Involved

Our low margin approach also allows our consultants, associates, and affiliates many opportunities to build their own business along side our business. For example, if one of our consultants finds an excellent opportunity for another consultant they can negotiate with that consultant an additional margin on top of our base 5% margin that would be payable directly to the consultant who found the opportunity. In this way, consultants are able to bring together strong teams of people to address client opportunities and not only get referral bonuses and/or revenue sharing units but also build a negotiated margin revenue stream that rewards them directly for their business development efforts. All parties benefit from such an arrangement – we grow our business, our revenue sharing unit holders grow the value of their shares, the referred consultant earns revenue sharing units, and the referring consultant earns referral bonuses/units and additional bottom line revenues.

For More Information

HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions at all or would like more information on how Lightning Tree Consulting can help you transition to the world of independent consulting, please contact us at info@lightningtree.ca or visit our Contact Us page for more options.

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