I structure engagements to provide editorial advisory and asset development within a defined scope. I work from clearly defined engagement parameters, structured working sessions, and written agreements that clarify the asset, timeline, responsibilities, review process, and payment terms.

I maintain coherence at the narrative and editorial layer, and I deliver the assets we agree to in the timeline we establish. I do not manage operational execution unless it is explicitly included in scope.

The sections below outline this collaborative process in detail and explain how responsibilities, scope, and working rhythm are defined across an engagement.

I’m a healthcare narrative and editorial advisor with deep experience developing editorial assets for complex, highly regulated institutional environments.

I understand the value of a well-defined collaboration structure. It's this structure that prevents misunderstandings, missed deadlines, budget overruns, invoicing disputes, and compliance errors. That can ensure a mutually beneficial collaboration.

I rely on a clear, professionally grounded collaboration with defined scope, working rhythm, and decision-making clarity.

Below are some policies and procedures that I established over the years I've worked as a narrative and editorial advisor. They’re also based on continued legislative attempts to establish parameters for independent consultants. That includes the ABC test (or some version of the ABC test), which many states use to determine who is a true independent contractor. 

For me, these policies and procedures are keys to our successful collaboration, no matter what engagement type we undertake. These parameters define the full arc of our engagement, from initial discovery through final deliverable.

I operate under Thrive Media, Inc. as an incorporated consultant. Kaizen Narrative Advisory is a division of Thrive Media, Inc.

I offer editorial advisory and editorial asset development services to multiple clients simultaneously, including those in the same sector or industry under that corporation. I do not sign non-compete agreements.

The primary contact for my clients is a senior leader in your institution who has decision-making authority. 

This independent consultant framework and work process below is meant to ensure engagements that comply with existing state and federal laws for independent contractors operating as incorporated business consultants. 

It's meant to provide informational guidance only. Since I’m not a lawyer, your institution should confirm any independent contractor requirements with counsel and relevant labor agencies.

Here's an overview of my business framework.

As the managing principal of Thrive Media, I operate as an independent consultant and assume the normal business risk that comes with that role. I build and maintain client relationships across multiple organizations, and my revenue is generated through scoped engagements rather than ongoing employment. Our initial discussions focus on alignment: objectives, audience, constraints, timeline, scope, and decision-making process. If we’re aligned, we define the engagement parameters that support the work and protect clarity on both sides.

After the introductory call described under Workflow Process, we outline scope, responsibilities, timeline, and fees. I invoice through Thrive Media, Inc., and accept payment through its business bank account or other approved processor.

Whether it's a one-off consulting engagement or a longer-term one, we define the scope and duration of our engagement in a formal agreement. We will only work under a fully executed contract between your institution and my corporation. Since I'm only incorporated in my state, if we use my corporation's agreement, our contract will be governed by the laws of my state.

I bring my expertise to your institution as an independent consultant, without expecting guaranteed work from you. I work during the hours and from a remote location determined by me using tools and equipment I own and control. I rarely travel to client offices, but when I do, I require compensation for that travel and in office time. 

The engagement agreement will outline the scope and workflow while maintaining my independence as an external consultant. Collaboration is defined through clear responsibilities, approvals, and deliverables.

My offerings are customized to the specific narrative challenges you identify. Because you may not have professionals on staff with my unique skills, you've determined a need for my consultant expertise. While my work can be beneficial to your institution, my services aren't integral to your day-to-day operations.*

(* This language satisfies statutory requirements under independent contractor classifications, including the ABC Test and related federal and state regulations governing the engagement of independent consultants.)

I'm a doctoral researcher with a master's in corporate communications and an award-winning multi-skilled journalist who's been an independent communications consultant for over 20 years. I bring a unique blend of scholarly rigor, professional skills and creative initiative to every project. That includes advanced analytical, problem-solving, strategic communications, and project management skills. The statement of work or other terms of our formal engagement agreement will outline many of those.

If you’re interested in my editorial advisory solutions, we begin with a brief email exchange and a 30–45 minute introductory call. This step confirms fit and clarifies objectives, audience, constraints, scope, timeline, and resources. Strategy begins after we enter the engagement and confirm the working plan.

If you want me to support your healthcare institution with editorial advisory or editorial asset development, after our introductory call, we would start our work together with paid consulting time. If your initial need is for a focused strategic conversation or preliminary ideation session, we establish a consulting fee for that time. 

Consulting time is billed with a two-hour minimum at my standard rate. Afterward, I provide a short written summary of what we covered and the most practical next steps. Comprehensive asset development, advisory direction, or editorial support requires a Discovery Project.

If an engagement requires more in-depth clarification before an editorial asset, asset series, publication, report, paper, or executive asset can be developed, we establish a separate paid discovery project with a written, clearly defined scope. I then provide a working quote and an invoice for prepayment in full.

Once the discovery project is complete, I provide the agreed-upon discovery deliverable. Depending on the scope, that may include editorial direction, an asset outline, a source review summary, interview recommendations, a publication framework, project notes, or another decision-ready document designed to help your institution determine the next step.

If we agree that I should continue into editorial asset development, I provide a separate quote for that phase of work. Otherwise, your institution retains the discovery deliverable for internal use or for use with another contractor.

Discovery deliverables are decision-quality institutional assets. The underlying methodology, including research protocols, synthesis processes, editorial judgment, and authorship approach, remains proprietary to Thrive Media, Inc. and Kaizen Narrative Advisory.

Before beginning any work on whatever solution you choose, we execute a detailed agreement between your institution and my corporation, Thrive Media, Inc.

If we use your institution's contract, I review the contract and, if I request no changes, I sign the document and return to you quickly so we can begin work. If the contract includes terms that require clarification, I may have it reviewed by legal professionals.

Clients compensate Thrive Media, Inc. in advance for all work. Fees are established by engagement scope, asset complexity, research depth, timeline, review requirements, and the level of senior editorial judgment required.

Pre-engagement discussions or work may constitute billable advisory time. This includes any work before a formal contract or written agreement related to editorial advisory, editorial asset development, discovery, source review, project planning, or review of existing materials. Advisory conversations with your communications, marketing, advancement, brand, clinical, or executive leaders are also billable when they move beyond an initial fit conversation.

For pre-engagement work, I invoice for a minimum of two hours at my regular advisory rate, regardless of verbal agreements. Most clients find it more efficient to sign a written engagement agreement before beginning any substantive work.

Fees reflect scope, complexity, research requirements, interview needs, review requirements, timeline, and intended use. I may use publicly available information about your institution to help determine my fees.

All editorial advisory and asset development engagements require prepayment in full by bank ACH. I do not extend credit to private non-media institutions. I do not start work until payment clears Thrive Media, Inc.’s corporate bank account. Clients pay all ACH and transfer fees.

Fees and payment terms are established in a written contract between your organization and Thrive Media, Inc. to prevent payment disputes. Because payment compensates for time reserved and work performed, fees are nonrefundable.

As an incorporated consultant, I'm not entirely dependent on any single organization for work. It's possible that during our initial interactions, we may find that we're not the right fit for each other. So, both parties reserve the right, in writing, to decline further engagement at any point before any compensable work starts.

I guarantee delivery of original editorial assets and affirm the use of ethical editorial support systems, including generative AI tools, in alignment with each client’s compliance and review requirements and my role as an independent contractor.

This ensures that all my deliverables reflect transparent human authorship and adhere to your organization’s regulatory and ethical standards.

While I may use advanced editorial technologies to improve accuracy and efficiency, I never delegate the creative or analytical judgment that defines my work to those tools or to others.

Every editorial advisory engagement I undertake and editorial package I deliver reflect my professional integrity, intellectual rigor, and full accountability.

These policies and procedures may not include every requirement necessary for Thrive Media, Inc. to engage with a specific organization.

Written contracts supersede the policies on this page and any verbal (or email) agreements. These policies also may change or get expanded without notice, and I will implement those changes in writing in client relationships with Kaizen Narrative Advisory.

If this engagement structure aligns with how your institution works,, contact me to discuss scope and fit.