Business Simply Put
 a division of LW and ASSOCIATES
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

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.

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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.

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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

 


BUILDING COMPANIES THROUGH STRATEGIC THOUGHT AND EXECUTION

   Growth Companies   ♦   Turnarounds   ♦   Restructuring   ♦   Training   ♦   Strategic Negotiations   ♦

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