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Performance Breakthroughs for Business Owners
ProActive Learning works with business owners to accomplish anything from making improvements in a specific area of the business all the way to preparing the business for sale.
The process begins with a “no obligation” meeting to uncover the business owner’s view of the issues and opportunities in the business.
This is followed by further fact finding meetings which provide the basis for developing an action plan targeted for results. This action plan is called the Value Development Plan. The Value Development Plan outlines the specific actions to be taken to move the business from its’ current deficient condition to its’ ideal state.
When the owner’s goal is business improvement
When the owner’s desire is to maintain ownership of the business for the foreseeable future then the goal is to focus on progressive improvement. The ultimate goal is to create a business that runs by itself. That way the owner has a significant income stream without having to actually work in the business day to day.
While the coaching process is always responsive to the owner’s immediate needs, it also focuses strategically on creating a business that runs by itself.
Here are the steps :
- Chaos Removal Look for the presence of chaos in the business. Is there anything that could mortally wound the business in the short term? Cash flow issues are often addressed here.
- Revenue Predictability Build solid predictability around revenue streams. Does the business have Marketing and Sales systems in place that guarantee revenue?
- Systems and Procedures are introduced on a prioritized basis throughout the business. This includes Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Operations.
- Team The people dimension is addressed here. For example, Hiring, Job Fit, Engagement, Performance Planning. Steps 2,3,4 are worked on simultaneously until each is operationally solid. The business is now “franchisable”.
- Management My experience tells me that this is the biggest pitfall and the reason most small business owners struggle as their businesses reach critical mass. Most entrepreneurs lack the critical ability to recruit and develop managers. As a result of growth these owners find themselves working too many hours and feeling out of control. And they do not have effective management personnel in place to support them.
- Succession The management function is now carefully cultivated so that the owner has only to check the key metrics on his or her dashboard to ensure that things are running smoothly. This is accomplished through carefully planned and executed succession planning. There is depth and talent in the management pipeline and the “buck” no longer stops at the owner’s desk. Revenue streams are healthy, the management team is self sustaining, the key indicators are healthy and the owner is “free at last, free at last”.
When the owner’s goal is capital for expansion or the sale of the business
Whether the objective is raising capital for expansion or selling the business, ProActive Learning works with strategies in three areas : increasing sales, increasing
profits and increasing the confidence factor for the potential purchaser. Our focus is on Sales (revenue), the Team (people) and the Systems (financial, information
technology and operations). A Value Development Plan is developed which outlines the steps needed to optimize the sale potential in terms of dollars and
terms. In a word, the business is viewed from the prospective purchasers’ perspective and action is taken to fill in the gaps. A business owner’s lifetime of focused effort
and commitment deserves that he or she get all the return possible from the business.
Working with our strategic partners, we have the people and processes to ensure results.