Getting Started

In this section, we outline NHI's project proposal process and discuss NHI's professional fees and expenses.

Proposal Process

The process for getting started is straight forward and typically follows these three steps.

Step 1: Getting Acquainted

After the initial contact by telephone or e-mail, one of NHI’s senior management team or an NHI Sales or Account Executive typically meets with the potential client at their site. During this visit, we meet with project sponsors and other key business stakeholders to learn more about their specific business and energy issues, their desired future state, and their overall business and project requirements. Also, we typically provide an introduction to NHI, answer questions about our approach and methodology, and sign a non disclosure agreement.

Step 2: Understanding Your Business Requirements

NHI then assembles an Account Team comprised of senior NHI consultants to more thoroughly understand the company's business and energy management requirements. After additional telephone calls and/or visits, the Account Team works with one or more stakeholders to jointly develop the most appropriate project approach and to define specific project outputs. As a part of this activity, NHI may introduce relevant technology solutions that address stakeholders' areas of concern.

Step 3: Developing and Submitting a Written Project Proposal

When agreement is reached on how to proceed, the Account Team prepares a written project proposal that clearly outlines the scope of work. We write our proposals only after we have had significant discussions with the project sponsors and key stakeholders so that we understand the entire breadth and complexity of the proposed assignment.

In some cases, we respond directly to a request for proposal (RFP).

Our project proposals are thorough, written clearly, and typically include sections on:

• Background
• Methodology and Scope
• Deliverables
• Project Staffing, Organization, and Logistics
• Professional Fees.

In addition, NHI usually includes several sanitized case studies that describe our energy management experience that is directly relevant to the potential client's issues.

During the proposal review process, we typically provide the names of several client references to assist potential clients in their evaluation of our project proposal.

Lastly, we always conducts our client discussions and negotiations in a polite, professional, and courteous manner.

Professional Fees and Expenses

NHI performs project assignments on both time-and-materials and fixed-fee bases.

NHI is competitive on overall project pricing. We can offer attractive professional fees because:

• NHI’s staffing model utilizes seasoned energy management professionals who can get the job done efficiently and cost effectively.
• NHI uses a leading-edge knowledge management and collaboration support infrastructure and a variety of communications technologies to reduce the need for face-to-face meetings during the project—saving our clients the associated hotel, car rental, and other travel costs.
• NHI keeps its internal overheads low.

We can structure our invoicing and contract terms to meet our clients’ requirements.