Leadership kick-off
Align on context, expectations and firm-specific considerations.
SmarterReward™ is a diagnostic that provides leaders with insight into how reward systems enable or inhibit collaboration.
Created by Dr. Heidi K. Gardner, Michael Roch and Ivan Matviak, three global authorities on collaboration and partner compensation in professional partnerships.
CREDENTIALS & REACH
Decades of Research. Real-World Impact.
0
BOOKS
OVER
0+
YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE
CONSULTED OVER
0+
COUNTRIES
ADVISED
0+
PROFESSIONAL FIRMS
Is your partner compensation system enabling or inhibiting collaboration?
A well-structured reward system can be a significant enabler of partner collaboration. Yet in most firms, partner reward is a major barrier, often leaving millions of dollars in revenue upside on the table. SmarterReward™ is the first diagnostic that reveals how partner compensation affects collaboration and how partner reward affects shared success.
It delivers on 4 core outcomes:
Clarity
Objective assessment of how partner compensation enables or blocks collaboration
Actionable Insights
Concrete priorities and recommendations for change
Peer Benchmarking
Comparative data against similar firms
Progress Tracking
Measurable improvements over time
SmarterReward™ is powered by our proprietary 3-I™ Framework.
- Imperatives – Strategic foundations
Evaluates why collaboration is a strategic necessity and leadership and trust underpin a collaborative culture. - Incentives – Results and metrics design
Assesses how incentives across the value chain, and the measures that underpin them, drive collaborative results and collective performance. - Integrity – Reward system alignment
Tests how the profit-sharing architecture and reward allocation decision-making reward collaborative outcomes in a way that is fair, transparent and trusted.
The radar chart shows an example of the results produced by our diagnostic.
Why deploy SmarterReward™
- Drive higher-quality revenue through collaboration across teams and clients
- Improve margins by working smarter, not harder
- Create an environment that attracts, integrates and retains top talent
- Enable new ways of working that benefit both people and profit
- Deliver seamless, integrated service that strengthens competitive advantage
How we work with you
Partner perceptions
A quantitative survey of partners to understand first-hand how your compensation system.
Expert evaluation
A structured review with your management team of how partner collaboration is impacted by your compensation system.
Leadership debrief
Detailed insights workshop on your firm’s SmarterReward Index on how to prioritize change for better partner 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.
SmarterReward™ has been developed by three global experts
Dr. Heidi K. Gardner
Founder & CEO, Gardner & Co.
Learn more
Dr. Heidi K. Gardner, a distinguished fellow at Harvard Law School and former Harvard Business School professor, is a globally recognized leadership expert, keynote speaker and advisor. Named a Next Generation Business Guru by Thinkers50, she leads executive education programs and, through Gardner & Co., helps boards and senior leaders drive performance through smarter, cross-silo collaboration. Author of over 100 works, including the bestsellers Smart Collaboration and Smarter Collaboration, her award-winning research has been featured in top media and Harvard Business Review. A former Fulbright fellow, McKinsey consultant and Procter & Gamble professional, she holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, the London School of Economics and London Business School.
Michael Roch
Founder, MHPR Advisors
Learn more
Michael Roch advises partnership boards, managing partners and senior leaders worldwide on building strong partnerships and driving competitive growth. He has guided dozens of organizations on global partnering strategy, profit sharing, compensation, governance and execution. Co-author of The Partner Compensation Handbook (Globe Publishing, 2022), Michael provides expert insights into profit sharing in professional services partnerships. His clients range from multinational firms to start-ups, particularly in professional services and technology, benefiting from his hands-on experience as an entrepreneur and partnership leader, along with his deep expertise in partnership economics, incentives and organizational design.
Ivan Matviak
CEO, Smarter Collaboration International
Learn more
Ivan Matviak, CEO of Smarter Collaboration International and co- founder of Gardner & Co., is an expert in transforming global businesses through strategy, innovation and cross-silo collaboration. Co-author of Smarter Collaboration (2022) and a contributor to Harvard Business Review and Wharton Magazine, he has held executive roles at Clearwater Analytics and State Street Bank, served as President of multiple software companies, and as a senior advisor to BCG and Warburg Pincus. With global experience across multiple locations, he has worked with Bain & Company, Disney and Procter & Gamble. Ivan holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Wharton Business School.
The Partner Remuneration Handbook
A guide to compensation in law and other Professional Service Firms
Buy now
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.
SCHEDULE A CALLWHY 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
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
OUR PROCESS
How We Work With You
01
Leadership kick-off
Align on context, expectations and firm-specific considerations.
02
Partner perceptions
A quantitative survey to understand first-hand how your compensation system shapes collaboration behaviours.
03
Expert evaluation
A structured review with your management team of how your compensation system impacts partner collaboration with your management.
04
Leadership debrief
Detailed insights workshop on your firm’s SmarterReward Index on how to prioritise change for better partner collaboration.
WHAT IS SMARTERREWARD™
The 3-I™ Framework
A diagnostic across three interconnected pillars of partner reward design.
IMPERATIVES
Strategic foundations
- Strategic necessity
- Collaborative leadership
- Collaborative culture & trust
Culture signal
We strive
INCENTIVES
Results & Metrics Design
- Business development
- Service delivery
- Innovation
- Talent development
Culture signal
We evaluate
INTEGRITY
Reward System Alignment
- Reward architecture
- Contribution management
- Reward decision-making
Culture signal
We respect
GET STARTED
Ready to Transform Your Reward System?
Schedule a diagnostic to discover how your compensation system can actively promote collaboration and drive firm performance.
A diagnostic to enhance your reward system so it actively promotes collaborative behaviours and outcomes.
Book a call