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Expert Access. No Contract. No Commitment.
Buy expert hours on demand. FSV Advisory Credits give you 5–20 hours with senior fractional advisors — no retainer, no commitment. From $70/hr.
Build Your Board →Forward Achieve Advisory Credits give you session-based or project access to operators from the STAR-vetted pool – no subscription, no recurring commitment. Pay per session or per project, use credits when you need them.
When a subscription doesn't fit – and credits do
Not every need for operator input maps to a monthly advisory relationship. Some situations call for a targeted expert opinion on a specific decision – a second opinion on a term sheet, a gut-check from someone who's run a sales team restructure, a one-time input on a board presentation. Other situations involve a project with a natural end – help preparing for a fundraise, reviewing a product roadmap before a planning cycle, stress-testing a new compensation structure. Advisory credits are built for these use cases. You purchase credits, apply them to sessions or defined project work with matched operators, and that's the end of the transaction. No subscription starts, no cancellation required.
What advisory credits can be applied to
Credits can be used for three types of engagements. Single advisory sessions: a structured 60-minute session with a matched operator focused on a specific question or decision – same structure as the Access tier session, single occurrence. Expert opinions: a shorter async engagement where you submit a document, deck, or decision memo and receive structured written feedback from an operator with relevant track record – useful for situations where you want a review rather than a live conversation. Project credits: a block of credit applied to a defined project scope, similar to the Sprint product but more flexible in duration and deliverable definition. The matching process for credit-based engagements is expedited – typically 5–7 business days for a single session match, faster for operators you've worked with before.
How credits work and how they're priced
Advisory credits are purchased in blocks. Each credit covers a defined unit of operator engagement – a session, an expert opinion review, or a project hour block. Credits do not expire within the purchase year. Pricing per credit is higher than the equivalent session cost under a subscription, reflecting the no-commitment structure – the same tradeoff as any pay-as-you-go versus subscription model. Members who use credits regularly and find themselves scheduling sessions most months are typically better served by the Access tier; the Forward Achieve team will surface that comparison when it's relevant.
Frequently asked questions
How are credits priced?
Credit pricing is available on request from the Forward Achieve team and varies based on the type of engagement (session, expert opinion, project block) and the seniority tier of the matched operator. Single-session credits are priced at a premium to the equivalent per-session cost in the Access subscription, reflecting the no-commitment structure. Project blocks are priced based on scope. The Forward Achieve team will walk through the credit pricing model and compare it to subscription economics during any initial conversation.
Do credits expire?
Credits purchased in a given calendar year are valid through the end of that year. Credits are not rolled over automatically – unused credits expire at year end. The Forward Achieve team sends a usage reminder 60 days before expiration to ensure credits aren't left unused. For large credit purchases, expiration terms can be negotiated – contact the team to discuss.
Can I use credits with an operator I've worked with before?
Yes – and it's the preferred model for returning credit users. If you've had a previous advisory relationship through Achieve and want to bring an operator back for a specific session or project, the matching process is bypassed and the session is scheduled directly. The operator's existing context from your prior relationship makes the session more valuable than a cold session would be. This continuity is one reason many members move between the subscription and credit models over time rather than treating them as separate products.
How quickly can I schedule a session after purchasing credits?
For new engagements (no prior Achieve relationship), the matching process takes 5–7 business days from completed intake – faster than the subscription matching window because the scope is more defined. For operators you've worked with before, scheduling can happen within 24–48 hours of credit application. Expert opinion reviews (async feedback) are matched within 3–5 business days. The Forward Achieve team handles coordination; you receive a calendar invite once the match is confirmed.
What's the difference between credits and a Sprint?
A Sprint is a structured 30-day engagement: defined problem, defined operator, weekly check-ins, deliverable at day 30. It's a product with a fixed format. Advisory credits are flexible – you define what you need and credits are applied accordingly. A Sprint has more structure and accountability built in; credits give you more flexibility to define the engagement type and scope. If your need has a clear 30-day problem-and-deliverable shape, Sprint is the better fit. If your need is more episodic or variable, credits are more appropriate.
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