The Exact Cash-Flow Schedule CFOs Love, Including Our “No-Result, No-Pay” Clause
Why CFOs Hate Consultants
Big invoice day-one, 60-day credit, vague deliverables.
We heard it so often we built the opposite model: pay as value arrives, guarantee in writing, exit anytime.
Below is the real schedule from 42 Kenyan contracts.
Grow People – 90-Day Package
Total Fee: KES 400,000 (flat)
| Milestone | Day | Invoice % | What Must Happen | Payment Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kick-off | 0 | 50 % = 200k | Signed PO, staff list supplied | 7 days |
| Mid-point | 30 | 0 % | Dashboard shown, no cash yet | – |
| Value Gate | 60 | 25 % = 100k | Exit-risk down ≥ 10 % vs baseline OR we extend free | 7 days |
| Sign-off | 90 | 25 % = 100k | Exit-rate ↓ 20 % minimum (guarantee met) | 7 days |
Cash-flow friendly: 50 % upfront, 50 % after proven delta.
What If We Miss the Guarantee?
- Option A: We keep working free until 20 % drop is achieved.
- Option B: You cancel, keep all templates, last 25 % invoice is torn up.
Your max exposure: KES 300k (still covered by value already delivered).
Product Sprint – 90-Day Fixed
Fee: KES 1.5 M
| Day | Invoice % | Gate |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 30 % | Scope signed |
| 30 | 30 % | Clickable prototype approved |
| 60 | 40 % | First 50 units sold OR user adoption ≥ 30 % |
Guarantee: If first 50 buyers are not satisfied we refund 40 % final invoice.
Profit Audit – 6-Week Sprint
Fee: KES 850kTable
| Week | Invoice % | Gate |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 50 % | Data access provided |
| 6 | 50 % | Minimum KES 2 M annual savings identified OR we waive balance |
Credit Period & Penalty
- 7 calendar days net.
- No late-fee if communicated within 24 hrs of due date (we hate surprises too).
- After 14 days project pauses; after 30 days guarantee becomes void.
Real CFO Comment
“I only risk KES 200k to see if they can move the needle. The rest is after my dashboard turns green—fair deal.”
– Sarah K., CFO, Jiko Smart Manufacturing
One-Page Schedule You Can Attach to PO
Download PDF: wiseup.co.ke/payment-schedule
Bottom line: Pay half to start, pay the rest after the needle moves. If we don’t deliver, we work for free, or you stop paying. That’s it.
Next article: “What Industries Do You Serve?” – from milk factories to fintechs, we list the quirks and wins for each sector.
Leave a Reply