Billable Hours: Teleconference

Memorandum
TO: Finance
FROM: Pierre Dolet
RE: Proposed Statistical Analysis

In keeping with this year's "Lean & Mean Time" cost efficiencies goal, we have assembled this proposed table for gauging the effectiveness of outside services. As a test case on how recorded input will read out, we have monitored the first 1/2 day of executive teleconferences with attorneys, consultants and other billable staff. [Note that, in Q1, teleconferences have been substituted for face-to-face conferences, per "Lean & Mean," to cut down on billable travel time.]

Scheduled: TeleConference with Corporate Attorney A to review proposed licensing agreement."

Attorney A: "Good morning."
VP1: "Morning. How was your weekend?"
Discussion of weekend activities.
Attorney A: "What do you think of the proposal so far?"
VP 1: "We'll have to re-schedule till after I have time to go over it."

Billable hours: 0.25 hours minimum
Cost per hour: $400
Cost of call: $100
Accomplished: 0

Scheduled: Teleconference with Consultant C1 in New York, Consultant C2 in Toronto and Consultant C3 in Topeka.

VP2: "Morning, Mike."
C1: "Hi, Bill."
VP2: "Morning, Jim.
C2: "Good Morning, Bill. Hi, Mike."
C1: "Hi, Jim."
VP2: "Tom, you there?"
C3: "I'm on."
VP2: "Good morning."
C3: "Morning, Bill. Mike. Jim.
C2: "Hi, Tom."
C1: "Hi, Jim."
C3: "I'm Tom."
C1: "Hi, Tom. Bill, you still there?"
VP2: "I'm still here."
C2: "Are we still on track?"
VP2: "Tracking."
C3: "Tracked."
C1: "On the mark."
VP2: "Good. Jim, what do you think about that? Jim? Jim?"
C1: "I think we lost him."
C3: "I'm on my cell and about to go through a tunnel. You may lo-"
VP2: "Mike, you wanna hold?"
C1: "Actually, I have to get back to the lab."
VP2: "OK, no problem - we're on track. I'll coordinate the next meeting. Keep up the good work."
C1: "Bye."
VP2: "S'long."
C2: "Hello-? Hello-? I'm back. What-"

Billable hours: 0.5 hours minimum
Cost per hour: $170 per consultant
Cost of call: $255
Accomplished: ---