Services for Founders

WE OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF SERVICES TO HELP FOUNDERS. As founders of our own businesses, we understand the constant challenges that founders face in managing their businesses. In addition, with decades of combined experience working for, or serving, some of the world’s leading multinationals, we can help you implement many of the programs and techniques used by the world’s best companies. Our focus is on serving as your mentor, advocate and change agent to help you accomplish your business objectives. Our frame of reference is always on helping you increase the value of your company to achieve the most lucrative exit possible. We realize that a great exit cannot be achieved overnight, so our services are designed to last for one to three years and we typically insist upon a minimum engagement of one year. Our comprehensive suite of services are described below and are included in our comprehensive services, but we will also consider providing a single service if that is all you need.

TIME FRAME: 1-3 Years

DELIVERABLE: See all services described below

FEES: Monthly Retainer + small equity stake/exit success fee

Business Audit

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE OF YOUR BUSINESS. As founders of our own businesses, we understand the constant challenges that founders face in managing their day-to-day operations. Our Business Audit is a short, intensive review of your operations designed to help you confirm your own suspicions and identify other areas to change and improve. During the audit, we meet one-on-one with your entire management team, allowing each of them the opportunity to input into the company’s future. Following the completion of the audit, we write a detailed analysis of our findings and provide our recommendations for improvements. Our aim is to rapidly cut to the chase of your most important issues so we can turn our attention to helping you implement change.  Like all other services, the Business Audit is included as part of our Comprehensive Services.

TIME FRAME: 4-6 Weeks

DELIVERABLE: Very detailed analysis delivered in report form, typically 15-20 pages

Strategic Planning

WE WILL DEVELOP A STRATEGIC ROADMAP. Following the Business Audit, we will work with you to develop a pragmatic strategic plan that is focused on resolving problems, achieving the results you desire and maximizing your business valuation.  Because our strategic planning process is democratic and incorporates feedback from all corners of the company, it also serves as a motivational tool for your entire team. Since all key players are part of the process, the power of this democratic approach is that the entire team feels ownership of the plan going forward.

TIME FRAME: 8-12 Weeks

DELIVERABLE: Very detailed analysis delivered in report form, typically 30-50 pages

Execution

EXECUTION TRUMPS STRATEGY. A strategy is only as good as the execution that follows. Once a strategy is agreed, we believe that the execution of the plan should be focused on results, and we will work with your team to ensure those results.  Growth and progress require change, and we will act as your change agent to help you make the tough decisions needed to achieve your goals. We will help you implement sales and marketing initiatives, improve margins and implement metric management tools. If desired, we can also serve as an advisor, coach, board member or interim CEO. There is no specific deliverable or fee to this aspect of the service. It is an on-going, engaged process that is part of our comprehensive consulting services.

TIME FRAME: On-going

DELIVERABLE: Constant assistance with strategy, projects, marketing, administration, P&L management etc.

Board Services

LONG TERM STRATEGIC ADVICE. We offer all our clients the opportunity to nominate one of our three partners to their board. Our partners have extensive experience serving on boards and broad knowledge of governance and how to guide founders and management to achieve longer term strategic objectives. We offer this service as an independent offering and are flexible in our official capacity. We can serve as official Board Members, Board Sdvisors or Board Auditors. We are unconcerned about the specific tittle or status. We are only focused on helping you succeed. If you engage us for Comprehensive Services, serving on your board is included in our fee structure. If you choose not to engage us for Comprehensive Services, you can still hire us to serve on your board. You may choose any one of the three partners to serve on your board, but rest assured you will benefit from the wisdom of all three of our partners.

Exit Planning

ACHIEVING A LUCRATIVE EXIT IS THE END GOAL. We believe that achieving a lucrative exit is the end goal for most founders. Our Strategic Plans focus on maximizing the valuation of the business with the ultimate objective of achieving an exit at the optimal time. We will help you prepare the business for sale and advise you on what needs to be accomplished to achieve your desired exit. If you engage us for Comprehensive Services, exit planning is included in our fees. However, we can also offer this as an independent service.

TIME FRAME: 8-12 Weeks

DELIVERABLE: Very detailed analysis and proposed road map delivered in report form, typically 20-30 pages

Capital Sourcing

WE CAN HELP SOURCE CAPITAL. Whether it’s equity capital or debt, we can assist you in raising capital for your business. We can help you with your pitch deck, assist with capital connections and help you negotiate terms. We have extensive experience working with investment bankers and M&A firms to help founders sell their companies and we have a broad network of both equity and debt sources to whom we can introduce you.

TIME FRAME: 12-24 Weeks

DELIVERABLE: Comprehensive Investor Presentation, thorough research into prospective strategic and financial acquirers and introductions to a minimum of 12 prospective acquirers. We will participate in all prospective investor calls and meetings.