What is a Business System Inspection?
A focused, remote diagnostic of one problem area in an owner-led business. SweetSpot reviews your records and talks through how the work actually runs, then gives you a written strategy document: the likely root cause, what to fix first, what to leave alone for now, and whether bigger work is worth paying for. It costs $2,500.
How much does a Business System Inspection cost?
$2,500, paid through Stripe when you order. That covers a standard remote Inspection of one problem area. If your business needs on-site work, several team interviews or a deeper document review, we scope and price that separately before anything moves forward.
Is the Inspection remote or on site?
Remote. You send records and we talk it through. If you want someone walking your operation, that is the Three Engine Diagnostic: on site at your business, at $4,750 per on-site day, plus travel. The number of days depends on the size and complexity of the business; we agree it with you, in writing, before you book.
What will I need to send?
What you already keep. Usually: recent financial reports, and margin by job or service line if you have it; schedule examples; sample estimates or quotes; lead and quote tracking, however rough; current roles and who really decides what; and your self-assessment report if you took one. Messy books and rough tracking are normal; finding what they hide is part of the job. After you order, we tell you exactly what to send for your situation.
Messy books and rough tracking are normal; finding what they hide is part of the job. After you order, we tell you exactly what to send for your situation.
How long does the Inspection take?
About a week, measured from the clarification meeting (where we go over your goals, the problem, the details and our questions on the documents you sent) to the delivered strategy document.
What do I get at the end?
A written strategy document: the issue map for your situation, the evidence reviewed, the likely root cause versus the visible symptom, priority recommendations with a 90-day path, and a straight call on whether deeper work is worth it, including when the answer is to handle it yourself. See a sample report.
Do I need to buy the Field Guide first?
No. The $250 Field Guide is the lower-cost step when you're ready to do the work yourself. Go straight to the Inspection when the issue is expensive, urgent or tangled enough to need someone checking your actual records.
How is this different from a valuation, an audit or a quality of earnings report?
Those put a number on the business or verify its financial statements, and buyers and lenders rely on them. The Inspection looks at how the work actually runs, the handoffs, pricing, decisions and cash visibility, to find what's holding the business back. It doesn't produce a valuation or a report a lender will rely on.
Will this turn into a big consulting project?
Not by default. If deeper help makes sense, the strategy document says what it is and what it would take. If it doesn't, the useful answer may be a short list of things your team can do.
How is the Inspection different from the Three Engine Diagnostic?
The Inspection is remote, looks at one problem area, and costs $2,500. The Three Engine Diagnostic is on site, looks across your sales process, delivery and cash flow, and costs $4,750 per on-site day, plus travel; the number of days depends on the size and complexity of the business. Start with the Inspection when you know roughly where the problem is.
