A structured 60-90 minute working session followed by a complete strategic document delivered within one week. This is where most engagements begin, and the fastest way to get a clear outside perspective on what's wrong and what to do about it first. The diagnostic covers the commercial and strategic fundamentals: customer definition, brand story, product architecture, pricing, channel strategy, and the flags that need to be named out loud. The diagnostic delivers: – Customer clarity (who the customer actually is), specific enough to make product and marketing decisions against. – Brand story architecture (the positioning that becomes the filter for every decision) – SKU rationalization framework (what stays, what exits, and why) – Category strategy (what to build, what to edit, what to protect) – Strategic flags (the observations that need to be said out loud, regardless of how uncomfortable) Most clients move from the diagnostic into an ongoing retainer. Some use it as a standalone strategic reset. Either is a legitimate outcome.