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THE PROCESS__________________________________________________________♦
♦SERVICES
DEFINED
♦FEE
STRUCTURE ♦ THE CONSULTING RELATIONSHIP
LW
AND
ASSOCIATES
is a
business strategy and financial management advisory firm, providing businesses with
growth strategies designed to increase revenues, profitability
and productivity.
The
strategies integrate
financial modeling with strategic marketing to build long-term
sustainable growth.
Our expertise includes strategic planning, financial
analysis and restructuring, marketing/selling strategies and
internal efficiencies. We
participate from strategy development through execution, using
applied systematic methods to achieve results.
Processes are customized to meet
the specific requirements of the client based on scope,
budget
and time frame.
Please call 310-473-9064 to discuss a customized solution.
The list below is intended to
provide an overview of the processes involved in each service.
The
first step involves an introductory client discussion
to learn about the client's concerns, desired outcome,
existing conditions, timeframe and budget. Afterwards
the client is presented with a proposal that clearly
details the activity, the approach, fees and
expectations.
Services
DEFINED__________________________________________________ top
LW
AND
ASSOCIATES
integrates
financial modeling with strategic marketing to build
long-term sustainable growth.
The main focus is on the following
FOUR
disciplines:
COMPANY
BROCHURE
Strategic Planning
is a crucial component used in the development of growth
strategies, which includes a financial analysis,
assessment of the marketing/sales strategies and
internal efficiencies.
Financial Analysis includes monitoring the financial
health, analyzing risk and ensuring the ability to
support strategic initiatives and major transactions.
Marketing/Selling Strategies seeks to develop a unique
competitive position which once leveraged can provide
the company with a sustainable marketing advantage.
Internal Efficiencies
have a direct effect on
the bottom line and companies that have
successfully developed efficient workflows achieve
faster growth and higher returns.
________________________________________________________
LW
AND
ASSOCIATES defines the level of service by
the following four categories:
Strategic Review and Assessment
LW and Associates follows a structured process,
which consist of two to three key meetings and provides business
owners and executives with a “quick assessment” of the
company. In this, the necessary steps to meet company
goals and objectives are determined. In cases of
restructuring, valuable insight is obtained regarding
why the company may
not be achieving desired objectives. This type of assessment is an
excellent format to bring underlying issues quickly to
the surface. Moreover, the process is instrumental in
flushing out false perceptions.
The first meeting helps to
structure the thinking processes and bring clarity to
vision and goals. The second meeting identifies
inefficiencies and addresses key strategy issues. The
final meeting provides an overall assessment, direction
and "next step" outline.
Fees include review and assessment of the company's
financial statements (ratio analysis) and the creation
of a debriefing after each meeting. A debriefing is a
report detailing the discussions, conclusions and
considerations uncovered during the session. Information
obtained through additional research is also included.
The debriefings will provide a road map from which all
additional activities can be based.
Strategic Oversight and Execution
LW and Associates takes an active role in both the development
and the execution; beginning with a complete company analysis
involving the four main disciplines above, advising in the development
of strategic
goals and direction and executing on
both a strategic and tactical level. The objectives are
expansive and far reaching, such as reach the next level
of growth, improve the capital structure, reverse
downward trends.
Inherently this type of work
encompasses many departments and divisions of the
company and relies heavy on financial data and strategic
initiatives. Due to the complexity of the work,
retainers are required with a minimum three month
commitment. On-site implementation is a crucial component of the
relationship. For more details on the structure
of this type of relationship
click here for a
detailed description of the consulting relationship and the
fee structure
Project Specific
LW and Associates assist the client to achieve a
clearly defined a scope of work as related to the four
main disciplines above. Each project has an expressed
outcome
that is determined by the client with a set time for
completion. These can involve company wide operations or
a specific division, department or product. The project
may involve off-site research, on-site meeting
facilitation or a mixture therein. A flat fee, directly correlating with
the scope of the project, is agreed upon in advance.
Time Based Consultation
For clients that want to arrange a limited number of one-on-one
consultation meetings, the following process has been developed.
The client is instructed to complete a pre-consultation form
prior to the meeting, at which time the client indicates the
purpose and goals for the meeting. The form is used to gather
important data, thereby allowing the client to achieve maximum
results during the meeting. The form includes questions relating
to strategic planning, finance, marketing, selling techniques and
internal efficiencies.
____________________________________________________________
Business Simply
Put (a
division of LW
AND ASSOCIATES)
offers expertise through standardized programs
Company owners and entrepreneurs can gain access to
information through self-guided resources
info booklets
and worksheets or attend
classes and workshops, which offer
cost-effective training
to increase executive and employee skill levels.
Additionally companies can purchase customized training
presentations and programs.
detailed
description and cost
Companies can also purchase counsel
and business guidance services via email and phone.
This
includes consulting minutes,
financial assessment and
benchmarking and business
plan review.
FEE
STRUCTURE
______________________________________________________ top
The company’s pricing structure is ideal for the type of clients
it serves. Pricing flexibility is created by varying the degree
of involvement and/or time allotment. Budgetary restrictions can
be met by defining a relationship that concentrates heavily on
instruction and guidance rather than on-site implementation.
This allows LW and Associates to work with companies of all
size.
• Strategic Review and
Assessment is priced as a flat rate and includes a
pre-defined completion date. The fees usually range from $3500
to $5000 and include 2-3 full or half day meetings. During the
first meeting the overall company strategy is discussed. The
second meeting is used to discuss prioritizations, concerns and
challenges. The final meeting is used to create a framework for
the strategic direction. Fees include a ratio analysis of the
company's financials and a debriefing after each meeting.
• Strategic Oversight and
Execution is priced as a monthly retainer which reserves
time on weekly basis. At the beginning stage of the project a
time commitment may be required. Monthly retainers usually range
between $5000- $10,000, guaranteeing the client scheduled days
on-site per week.
• Project Specific is priced as a flat rate and includes
a pre-defined completion date. Additional request require a
new/revised work order. Average hourly compensation ranges
$150-350 per hour depending on the complexity of the project.
For those types of activities that involve supplemental
personnel, LW and Associates charges $50-75 per hour.
• Time Based Consultation is priced by the hour with a
set number of hours agreed to in advance. The client's
objectives are determined prior to the engagement in order to ensure
the desired outcome is reached.
Due to the advance preparation,
the hourly fee for this type of consultation is $250. If desired
hours exceed eight, within a limited period, it may best to use
a defined project approach in order to reduce cost. If during
the consultation the client desired an extension, fess are added
accordingly.
Business Simply
Put (a
division of LW
AND ASSOCIATES) was
founded to support the small company owner and entrepreneur. Info Booklets can be bought for as little as $20 and the average
cost to attend a class or seminar is $150. Clients can
experience counsel and business guidance services through email or phone
for under $3/minute.
For added convenience these services can be purchased through
MasterCard and Visa.
See products for more detail.
The consulting relationship defined
___________________________top
The following gives a more detailed description of the consulting format.
At the beginning of the relationship, time is spent mostly in a
fact finding mode. Often the management team has not determined
the root cause of the problem; they are only aware of the end
result: a lack of growth, inadequate cash flow or an inability
to fill orders.
The consulting relationship involves three types of
activities:
1. On-site executive and staff meetings
2. Off-site research and strategy development
3. Authorship of deliverables (debriefings)
There are three types of meetings defined by focus and intent:
1. Information gathering
2. Debriefing and discussion
3. Instructional and educational
Off-site involves four types of activities:
1. Research
2. Strategy creation
3. Deliverables (debriefings)- reports, etc.
4. Contact to alliances, competitors etc.
Agendas are set in advance
Prior to each meeting an agenda is created detailing the goals
and objectives for the meeting. A copy is distributed to each
person attending the meeting. As the meeting progresses the
agenda is frequently checked to make sure the meeting stays on
track and all issues/discussions are covered.
Debriefings are delivered after each meeting: .............Sample
Debriefing
..............Sample
Debriefing
After each meeting, the client receives a debriefing within
24-48 hours. The document is in a PDF format and includes three
headings: meeting notes, next step and questions.
The debriefings are created to achieve four objectives:
1. Keep the consulting relationship on track
2. Review information for accuracy
3. Set agendas and next steps
4. Provide a written document for reference
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