How we work
What makes Strativio different from other consulting firms?
Three things. First, we’re focused on clarity over everything else. We don’t believe in impressive reports that don’t inform decisions.
Second, we move fast without sacrificing rigor. Big firms are thorough but slow. Local agencies are fast but shallow. We deliver both.
Third, we operate with long-term partnership in mind. That means we sometimes tell you not to pursue an opportunity. We always tell you the truth.
How do you approach market research differently?
We start by understanding your decision — and whether you’re even asking the right question for your end goal. Then we define the methodology. We determine whether the data you need (primary, secondary, qualitative, quantitative) already exists or whether we need to go get it.
Every study is scoped to a decision, not to fill a report. That means faster research. Lower costs. Higher confidence.
What's your competitive analysis process?
Based on the exact elements you’re looking to benchmark, we map your competitive universe — direct competitors, indirect competitors, adjacent threats. We identify related opportunities, risks, and the key information you need to make an informed decision.
Most importantly, we show you where the market is going, not just where it is.
How long do your engagements take?
It depends on scope. Market research typically takes 4-7 weeks. Competitive analysis takes 3-6 weeks. Brand strategy takes 6-10 weeks depending on deliverables. Some engagements are faster. Some take longer. We’re clear about timeline upfront.
Can you work faster?
Yes. We can accelerate timelines if needed. It requires more resources (more researchers, faster analysis). We charge accordingly. But we don’t sacrifice rigor for speed. We build the fastest path to the answer.
Pricing & What's Included
How much do your services cost?
Pricing depends on scope. Every engagement is different — the question you’re trying to answer, the depth of research required, the number of markets or competitors involved, the timeline.
We scope everything upfront and you know the investment before we start. No surprises. No hourly billing. We price based on the value of the answer, not the hours it takes to find it.
What's included in the cost?
All research. All analysis. All recommendations. Presentation to your team. The deliverables we agreed on in the proposal.
What’s typically not included: executing the recommendations (hiring a designer to build brand guidelines, for example), ongoing support beyond the engagement period, or scope changes after kickoff. That said, these elements can be executed upon request with a separate agreement and fee.
Do you have retainer options?
Yes. Some clients retain us for ongoing strategic support — continuous competitive monitoring, quarterly research updates, or brand stewardship. We discuss retainer models case by case.
Working Together
What's the first step?
Schedule a discovery call. No obligation. We understand your question, discuss what research or analysis could answer it, and show you how we’d approach it. If it’s a fit, we scope the engagement and prepare a proposal.
Can we do this remotely?
If the project requires it, engagements can be conducted remotely. We use video calls, email, shared documents, and project management tools. We’re experienced with distributed teams.
Some projects benefit from on-site work — we’ll discuss what makes sense for your specific engagement.
Will you conduct interviews with our customers?
If the project scope requires it. Market research and competitive analysis often involve primary interviews with customers, prospects, and industry experts. Whether customer interviews are part of your engagement depends on the questions we’re answering and the methodology we design together.
What if we don't have customer access?
We can help recruit customers to interview. That adds time and cost, but it’s doable. We’ve recruited customers from scratch on behalf of clients.
How confidential is the work?
Completely confidential. We sign NDAs. We don’t share findings with competitors or publicly. Everything we learn stays between us and you.
Can we use your findings publicly?
Yes. The findings are yours. You can use them in investor presentations, board meetings, marketing materials, wherever you want. As a matter of fact, we recommend you do.
Navigating Results
What if we disagree with your recommendations?
We discuss it. We explain the reasoning. We show the data. If you still disagree, that’s fine. But we want to understand why you disagree and whether there’s additional research that would help settle the question.
What if the market research shows the market is smaller than we expected?
We show it to you completely and honestly. That’s the whole point — to see the market as it actually is, not as you wish it to be. Sometimes the news is good. Sometimes it’s challenging. Either way, you’re making decisions based on reality.
What if competitive analysis shows competitors are ahead of us?
Again, we show it to you completely. Then we discuss what that means for your strategy. Sometimes it means you need to move faster. Sometimes it means you need to find a different position. Sometimes it means the market opportunity is smaller than you thought. We figure it out together.
Branding Questions
Do you design the logo?
Yes. Brand strategy typically includes logo design. Before designing, we present moodboards or stylescapes to align on creative direction. Then we develop multiple concepts, present them, and refine based on your feedback at every step.
Do you work with external designers?
Sometimes. For certain specialized work (motion design, advanced illustration), we partner with external designers. But we manage that relationship and the quality standard.
What if we already have a brand? Can you audit it?
Yes. We can audit your current brand positioning, identity, voice, and architecture. We assess how strong it is and what might need updating. Some clients need a full rebrand. Others just need refinement.
How do we maintain the brand after you're done?
We provide comprehensive brand guidelines. Plus, we can train your team on how to apply the brand. Some clients bring us back annually to audit how well the brand is being used and recommend adjustments.
Rigor & Methodology
How do you ensure quality in research?
We use proven methodologies. We recruit the right participants. We conduct interviews thoroughly. We analyze findings rigorously. We challenge our own assumptions. We don’t stop until we’re confident in the findings.
How many customers do you interview?
It depends on the question and the research type. Qualitative studies typically include 10 to 30 interviews. Market validation studies range widely based on scope, but are mostly designed to achieve a 95% confidence rate with a 5% margin of error.
We discuss sample size based on your specific research question.
How long are the interviews?
Typically 30-60 minutes depending on the topic. We take enough time to dig deep, but not so long that we fatigue the participant.
What's your research timeline?
For a customer insights study: 4-6 weeks. Market validation: 5-7 weeks. Competitive analysis: 3-6 weeks. Brand strategy: 6-10 weeks. Some projects are faster. Some are more complex. We’re clear about timeline in the proposal.
What to expect
What commitment is required from our side?
You need to be available for regular check-ins (typically weekly) and involved in key strategy discussions. You’ll provide access to internal data relevant to the project — sales figures, customer databases, internal reports. Depending on the engagement, we may need working space at your office for certain phases.
You’ll review and provide feedback on draft findings. The more access you give us, the sharper the output.
Can we keep this project confidential?
Yes. We won’t mention the engagement, the findings, or your participation without your permission. We can discuss your results with a potential future client only if you agree.
What happens after the engagement ends?
We hand over the final deliverables, insights, and recommendations — those are yours. However, we retain ownership of our process, intermediary working documents, and raw data.
Some clients retain us for ongoing support or guidance on execution. That’s optional.
How do we measure success?
Success depends on your goal. If you’re validating a market before investing millions, success is having confidence to move forward (or not). If you’re building a brand, success is having consistent, clear brand strategy your team can apply. If you’re benchmarking, success is understanding where to invest.
We’ll define success metrics at the beginning of the engagement.
How do we get started?
Schedule a discovery call. We’ll discuss your question, your timeline, and your budget. We’ll show you how we’d approach your project. If it’s a fit, we’ll prepare a proposal and get started.