Business case calculator: would a 90-day engagement pay for itself?
Enter what one workflow costs you today. The calculator shows the break-even in extra clients or redeployed hours, not a promised result.
a month in staff time, before any lost sales
Illustration only, not a forecast or guarantee. Recovered staff time becomes a cash saving only if spending actually declines or the time goes into paid work. Tool costs are an assumption; we replace every number here with yours before recommending a scope.
How the maths works
Workflow cost today is hours a week × 4.33 × loaded hourly cost. Break-even extra clients is (monthly fee + assumed $500 tools) ÷ (average first-year value × contribution margin). Break-even revenue is the same monthly cost ÷ margin.
Example
With 5 extra wins a month at $4,000 and a 40% margin, contribution is $8,000. After a $5,000 fee and $500 in tools, net monthly contribution is $2,500. Break-even additional sales at that margin is $13,750. This is a scenario, not a forecast: timing and results depend on the business.
What to do with the result
If the time cost alone covers the fee, the case is strong. If it rests on extra wins, test that assumption with your own conversion data first.
Common questions
What is contribution margin?
Revenue minus the variable costs of delivering it (direct labor, materials, subcontractors). It is the share of each extra sale that is available to cover fixed costs like the engagement fee.
Why does recovered time not count as savings automatically?
Because payroll does not fall when an hour is freed. Recovered time becomes cash only if it goes into billable or revenue work, or if spending actually declines.