Many companies today have a definite need to retain outside consulting assistance for their business in order to increase sales and profits. Every company has a pressing need for new ideas and approaches to doing business! Ideally, you need to distinguish your company from your competitors to gain competitive advantages.

Nevertheless, many companies don't know how to go about finding a consultant who has the specific experience and knowledge regarding their business or they are just too busy to pursue the need. Additionally, many people feel they can't effectively utilize the "traditional" consulting approach and feel that the right "fit" for their business doesn't exist.

As one of its many unique approaches to consulting services, the Consulting Collaborative offers a non-traditional and very effective approach to obtaining consulting services without the high costs usually associated with consultants, but with the results most businesses need. It is called a Strategic Assessment where we visit your business to make an in-depth study which forms the basis of a Strategic Plan that includes specific action plans, plus our continued involvement for an extended period of time. Here's how it works.

As the first step, we will conduct a strategic assessment of your business spending about two days at your company (more time if multiple locations) with the submittal of a Strategic Plan within 30 days.

Conducting a Strategic Assessment involves personal interviews with a representative number of executives, management and key staff employees. Most often employees will be more direct and candid with a consultant than with their management. This means you will receive insight into problems and opportunities that will not normally arise through the traditional communication channels. That's an essential step that really gets top management focused!

During the personal interviews there will be a major focus on determining the firm's strengths and weaknesses as well as exploring the management system that is in place along with other needs that are identified during the interviews.

Following the interviews a Strategic Assessment Report is written which may have a table of contents as follows:

• Situation Analysis
• Executive Summary
• Management Philosophy
• Overview of Employee Interviews
• Company Strengths and Weaknesses
• Most Distinguishing Company Strength
• Most Serious Company Weakness
• Automation and New Technology (as necessary)
• Management by Accountability
• Internal Communications
• Employee Training
• Official Job Descriptions (as required)
• Performance Appraisal Process (as required)
• Salary Administration
• Incentive Compensation
• Additional Employee Observations and Comments
• Strengths and Weaknesses Summary
• Voice of the Client/Customer
• Key Personnel Assessments (if requested)
• General Comments and Observations
• Summary of Major Findings
• Prioritized Recommendations

Please understand, not all of the topics listed may be included and, in some cases, additional topics will be added as required.

Additionally, don't expect our consultant to drop a lengthy report on you and then disappear, but instead, we provide a consulting relationship where we help you establish top priorities, outline implementation plans and, as necessary, can assist with employee training and implementation, too. In most cases, opportunities are identified to install new management tools. In some cases, findings support the implementation of a long list of proven management tools.

Following the submittal of the Strategic Assessment Report to top management, the consultant then meets with the management team to discuss the findings. At that time, the consultant usually assists the management team in facilitating the establishment of the Top Priorities of the firm.

Based upon the Strategic Assessment with the accompanying Strategic Plan and actions plans, you can better address today's challenges as well as plan for future growth. Additionally, if you choose to engage us based upon continuing monthly consulting services, you and your company can get help when you need it. A second opinion regarding a challenging situation in a real life time frame, implement strategic plans and special projects or just fine tune your business to have a competitive advantage while increasing your profits at the same time.

Ideally, it is best to select a consultant that can relate to your business and industry. There is no substitute for experience! Additionally, look for these attributes in a prospective consultant:

• Professional reputation
• Problem-solving ability and results-oriented track record
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Essential knowledge of client's business and industry
• Strong integrity, leadership and character traits
• Management fundamentals of business with a diversified background