The Integration Framework: four phases from invisible to self-sufficient
The Integration Framework is Communication-IMPACT's four-phase process for industrial companies:
- a 30-day Diagnostic,
- a build of sales tools and search work,
- a Fractional CMO phase run on a 90-day SLA, and
- a handoff to your own team.
Each phase has a fixed scope and a clear deliverable. You can stop after any phase and keep what you paid for.
Why does Communication-IMPACT work in phases?
Communication-IMPACT works in phases because industrial marketing fails when the build starts before anyone knows where the leaks are. Think of it the way you think about a new production line. You do not bolt on the conveyor before you run the feasibility study.
I do not offer a menu of marketing services. Each phase has a clear deliverable, a fixed scope, and a reason to come before the next one.
What are the four phases, and what does each cost?
The four phases are:
- the 30-Day Digital Pipeline Diagnostic ($15,000 fixed),
- the Digital Arsenal Build ($20,000 to $40,000 one-time, or included in Phase 3),
- Fractional CMO and AI Orchestration ($8,000 to $20,000 per month on a 90-day SLA), and
- Internal Capability Transfer (included in Phase 3).
All prices are in Canadian dollars.
| Phase | What happens | Investment | What you keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Diagnostic | A 30-day audit of where your pipeline leaks and who is winning your buyers online | $15,000, fixed fee | A written blueprint you own |
| 2. Arsenal | I build the sales tools and search work your reps need to defend your price | $20,000 to $40,000 one time, or included in Phase 3 | ROI calculators, comparison pages, spec portals, and the search work behind them |
| 3. Orchestration | I run your marketing as your Fractional CMO, measured against a 90-day SLA | $8,000 to $20,000 per month | Qualified RFQs on your VP of Sales' desk, or you walk away with no penalty |
| 4. Transfer | I train your team, document every process, and hand over the keys | Included in Phase 3 | A trained team and no consultant on the payroll |
Questions about the Integration Framework
Most owners ask three things:
- whether they must buy all four phases,
- where to start, and
- what happens if they want to stop.
You do not have to buy all four, everyone starts with the Diagnostic, and you can stop after any phase.
Do I have to buy all four phases?
No. Every phase stands on its own. After the Diagnostic, some companies run the blueprint with their own team. Others hire me for the build only. Others go through all four.
Where do I start?
With the 30-Day Digital Pipeline Diagnostic. I do not build anything before I know where your pipeline leaks.
Can I stop after any phase?
Yes. You own everything built up to that point. In Phase 3, the kill clause lets you end the agreement with no penalty if we miss the agreed number of qualified RFQs in 90 days.
Not sure which phase fits?
Start with a 30-minute call. I will tell you which phase makes sense, or whether any of them do.
Written by M.J. Plebon, Fractional CMO and founder of Communication-IMPACT, Montreal. Last updated October 21, 2026.