In an hour-based agency, the billable utilisation serves as a crucial metric, representing the percentage of billable hours employees spend on billable client projects. A higher billable utilisation indicates optimal efficiency and resource allocation, while a lower rate may suggest under-utilisation or potential areas for workflow improvement.

The General and Administrative to Revenue Ratio measures the percentage of total revenue consumed by corporate overhead and administrative functions that support overall business operations but don't directly generate revenue. This metric encompasses executive compensation, legal and professional services, accounting and audit fees, insurance, corporate facilities, administrative technology systems, and governance-related expenses. For CEOs, this ratio represents operational efficiency and the company's ability to scale without proportional increases in overhead burden. Finance leaders view this as a critical profitability driver, while HR leaders must balance necessary support functions with cost optimization pressures. This ratio is particularly complex because it often includes irregular, one-time expenses such as legal settlements, restructuring costs, acquisition-related fees, or extraordinary professional services that can significantly distort underlying operational trends. Unlike other expense ratios that correlate with business growth or strategic initiatives, G&A expenses ideally should grow slower than revenue as companies achieve operational leverage and economies of scale. The challenge lies in distinguishing between necessary infrastructure investments that support future growth and inefficient overhead accumulation that erodes profitability without strategic benefit.

The Research and Development to Revenue Ratio measures the percentage of total revenue that a company invests in innovation, product development, and technological advancement activities. This metric encompasses all costs associated with creating new products, enhancing existing offerings, conducting research initiatives, and maintaining technological competitive advantages. For finance leaders, this ratio represents a critical investment decision that balances current profitability with future growth potential, while for HR leaders, it reflects talent acquisition and retention strategies in technical disciplines that command premium compensation. The ratio serves as a strategic indicator of a company's commitment to innovation and long-term market viability. Unlike sales and marketing investments that typically generate near-term revenue returns, R&D investments often require longer payback periods but are essential for sustaining competitive differentiation and market position. For CTOs and VPs of Product/Engineering, this metric provides the financial framework within which they must deliver innovation outcomes, making it a crucial tool for resource allocation, team planning, and technology roadmap prioritisation.