CREDENTIALS & REACH
Decades of Research. Real-World Impact.
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THE DIAGNOSTIC
The First Diagnostic for Partner Compensation & Collaboration
SmarterReward™ provides leaders with insight into how reward systems enable or inhibit collaboration in professional partnerships.
In most firms, partner reward is a major barrier, often leaving millions of dollars in revenue upside on the table. Our diagnostic reveals exactly how compensation affects collaboration and shared success.
WHY IT MATTERS
"My research clearly shows that rainmakers who collaborate — who share the work they originate — end up with significantly bigger books of business than those who hoard work."
Dr. Heidi K. Gardner · Smart Collaboration
WHAT YOU GAIN
Four Core Outcomes
Our diagnostic delivers measurable insights that transform how your firm approaches partner compensation and collaboration.
Clarity
Objective SmarterReward™ Index of how compensation empowers or blocks collaboration
Actionable Insights
Concrete priorities and recommendations for change
Peer Benchmarking
Compare your SmarterReward™ Index data against similar firms in your sector
Progress Tracking
Measurable improvements over time
WHAT IS SMARTERREWARD™
The 3-I™ Framework
A diagnostic across three interconnected pillars of partner reward design.
IMPERATIVES
STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS
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Strategic necessity
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Collaborative leadership
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Collaborative culture & trust
Culture signal
We strive
INCENTIVES
Results & Metrics Design
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Business development
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Service delivery
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Innovation
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Talent development
Culture signal
We evaluate
INTEGRITY
Reward System Alignment
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Reward architecture
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Contribution management
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Reward decision-making
Culture signal
We respect
OUR PROCESS
How We Work With You
01
02
03
04
Leadership kick-off
Align on context, expectations and firm-specific considerations.
Partner perceptions
A quantitative survey to understand first-hand how your compensation system shapes collaboration behaviours.
Expert evaluation
A structured review with your management team of how your compensation system impacts partner collaboration with your management.
Leadership debrief
Detailed insights workshop on your firm’s SmarterReward Index on how to prioritise change for better partner collaboration.
SAMPLE REPORT
What Your SmarterReward™ Index Looks Like
The SmarterReward™ Index scores all 10 dimensions across the 3-I™ Framework and provides a comprehensive report which we will be reviewed in the debrief workshop.
SMARTERREWARD™ DIAGNOSTIC REPORT
Sample Firm — Confidential
Assessment Date
Q2 2026
3-I™ Framework Radar
Pillar Scores & Key Findings
Firm-wide average across all partner responses
3.7/5
INCENTIVES
Business development and talent metrics are well-structured. Service delivery incentives are present but perceived as opaque. Innovation rewards are largely absent, leaving a significant motivational gap for partners investing in new service development.
3.7 / 5
Strong
3.5 / 5
IMPERATIVES
3.5/5
Partners recognise the strategic case for collaboration. Leadership alignment is partial — some practice heads actively sponsor cross-selling while others operate in silos. Cultural norms around client ownership remain the primary barrier.
INTEGRITY
Reward architecture is the standout strength. Contribution management is inconsistent across practice groups. Decision-making transparency is the most critical issue — the majority of partners do not trust the allocation process.
2.9 / 5
2.9/5
Strong
This is a sample extract. Your full report includes firm-wide benchmarks, partner-level breakdowns, and a prioritised action roadmap across all 10 dimensions.
3-I™ Framework Radar
Pillar Scores & Key Findings
Firm-wide average across all partner responses
INCENTIVES
Business development and talent metrics are well-structured. Service delivery incentives are present but perceived as opaque. Innovation rewards are largely absent, leaving a significant motivational gap for partners investing in new service development.
3.7/5
3.7 / 5
3.5 / 5
IMPERATIVES
3.5 / 5
3.5/5
Partners recognise the strategic case for collaboration. Leadership alignment is partial — some practice heads actively sponsor cross-selling while others operate in silos. Cultural norms around client ownership remain the primary barrier.
INTEGRITY
Reward architecture is the standout strength. Contribution management is inconsistent across practice groups. Decision-making transparency is the most critical issue — the majority of partners do not trust the allocation process.
2.9 / 5
2.9/5
Strong
This is a sample extract. Your full report includes firm-wide benchmarks, partner-level breakdowns, and a prioritised action roadmap across all 10 dimensions.
THE BUSINESS CASE
Why Deploy SmarterReward™?
Drive Higher-Quality Revenue
Through collaboration across teams and clients
Improve Margins
By working smarter, not harder
Attract & Retain Top Talent
Create an environment that integrates exceptional professionals
Enable New Ways of Working
That benefit both people and profit
Strengthen Competitive Advantage
Deliver seamless, integrated service that differentiates your firm
Drive Higher-Quality Revenue
Through collaboration across teams and clients
THE EXPERTS
Meet the Experts
Three global authorities on collaboration and partner compensation.
Harvard Law School fellow, Thinkers50 Business Guru, author of Smart Collaboration and Smarter Collaboration.
Partnership advisor, co-author of The Partner Compensation Handbook, expert in partnership economics.
CEO and co-founder, co-author of Smarter Collaboration, Harvard Business Review
contributor.
The Partner Remuneration Handbook
A handbook on partner compensation systems, contribution management and making fair reward decisions aligned with a firm’s ethos and culture. It focuses on creating effective profit-sharing approaches that motivate partners.
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Smarter Collaboration
Co-authored by Ivan Matviak and Dr. Heidi K. Gardner, this Harvard Business Review Press title provides a research-backed framework for breaking down silos and building the collaborative behaviours that drive firm performance.
