Frequently asked questions

The most common questions.

What organisations ask before a first conversation — direct answers, no sales pitch.

Firm structure

Do you work alone?

Yes — LP Stratégies is an independent firm with a single point of contact. That is precisely the value: no invisible junior subcontracting, no loss between brief and execution. For missions requiring specific resources (filming, printing, events), I coordinate selected providers — always under my responsibility and within the scope of the quote.

What is your capacity?

The firm runs on a deliberately small, qualitative portfolio — typically 3 to 5 active missions in parallel, one or two of them recurring. This discipline is intentional: it ensures the execution quality and responsiveness that sensitive contexts require. When the calendar is full, I say so immediately and propose a realistic window rather than overcommit.

What languages do you operate in?

French (native), English (fluent professional — diplomacy, negotiation, writing), Spanish (professional). Deliverables can be produced in these three languages. For other languages (German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic), I work with specialist translators and proofreaders, included in the quote.

Public procurement & contracts

Are you compatible with public procurement?

Yes. LP Stratégies handles assignments compatible with French simplified procurement procedures (marchés à procédure adaptée, MAPA), within the current threshold of €40,000 excl. tax for services. I am used to public-sector administrative requirements: detailed quotes, purchase orders, compliant invoicing, respect for protocol timelines. For any such request, please indicate it from the first exchange. See the dedicated public-procurement page →

Do you work under NDA?

Always. Confidentiality is a non-negotiable condition of the relationship, particularly for diplomatic missions, defence work or anything involving sensitive strategic information. A standard non-disclosure agreement is proposed at contract signature — or the client's NDA is accepted after review.

Why are your invoices VAT-free?

LP Stratégies is registered as a micro-enterprise under French VAT exemption (article 293 B of the General Tax Code). Invoices are issued without VAT, with the corresponding legal mention. For public bodies and most SMEs, this is neutral. For large VAT-registered groups, it simply means no deductible VAT — clarified upfront.

Timelines, modalities and locations

How quickly can a mission start?

After signed quote and down payment, kick-off occurs within 5 working days. For protocol emergencies or constrained calendars, priority availability can be discussed from the first exchange. The initial scoping note (free of charge) is delivered within 72 hours.

Do you work remotely or on-site?

Both. Most strategic and editorial missions are handled remotely, from Paris or Clermont-Ferrand. Missions requiring physical presence (events, filming, multi-party coordination) involve national or international mobility — included or billed depending on context, always specified in the quote.

What are your response times during a mission?

Email reply within 24 working hours by default, within 4 hours for missions under protocol or crisis stand-by. Phone availability on agreed slots. Sensitive or time-constrained missions benefit from a priority communication channel defined at kick-off.

Fees & payment

How are you remunerated?

Three possible modalities: fixed fee for scoped missions (most cases — see the seven packages), day rate for ad-hoc interventions or hybrid missions (€500–800 excl. tax depending on mission profile), monthly retainer for long-term engagements with a 3–6 month minimum. No commission, no performance percentage — the relationship remains strictly advisory.

What are your payment terms?

30 % down payment at signature for missions above €1,500 excl. tax. Balance due within 30 days of invoice. For public bodies, statutory timelines (30 days) are respected and the down payment can be adjusted to match internal procedures. Late penalties and indemnities are aligned with article L441-10 of the French Commercial Code. Full conditions in the Terms & Conditions.

Ethical scope

Are there assignments you refuse?

Yes, in line with the firm's positioning. Systematically declined: disinformation, astroturfing, influence operations based on falsehood, missions conflicting with French or European strategic interests, missions involving reputation laundering of sanctioned actors. Beyond these red lines, each case is assessed individually after reading the context.

What if a mission becomes sensitive mid-course?

Long missions include a mid-term review mechanism. If a material element of the context changes (ownership shift, scandal, legal investigation, sanction) and continuing the mission conflicts with my professional commitments, the engagement can be suspended or terminated as per the Terms & Conditions — with an organised handover, no abrupt break.

A question that isn't here?

The first conversation (30 min, video) is free. No question is too specific — or too sensitive — at that stage.

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