Small businesses need help now more than ever. As small business communities recover, you can be a part of helping them return as prosperous and thriving establishments in your local community. New startup businesses are also springing up.
Who Are The Clients And Why do They Hire Consulting Firms? Leading businesses are the primary clients of a lot of consulting firms. There are three main reasons companies hire firms. They want to get inside the company's head in order to understand the strategic issues that are preventing it from reaching its full potential. A second reason is that these companies need help making sense of their problems and developing viable solutions. Sometimes a company needs to "re-invent itself" or undergo a major restructuring and it needs expert advice and assistance to make this process as smooth and profitable as possible. Many companies don't need any of this. Most large firms with all their resources are able to help them make a simple decision. I bet you could spend a month working on a project for one of your clients and not be able to come up. What do Business Management Consultants Actually Do? Critical expertise in key areas has been built by leading consulting firms. Mission-critical problems are faced by companies. These problems can cost a company millions of dollars. They will often go to the very best minds in the industry. When you partner with us, you will be able to take advantage of the enormous amount of brain power. You will have access to some of the best minds in the industry. We have a unique structure. You can bring in other experts as needed. There are skills and experience you need. Add-on arrangements are what most consulting partnerships are. We are with you. It's an all-in-one deal. You don't have to pay for additional knowledge. It means that you will spend less money on outside help and have a better chance of fixing your problem on your own. If you're a marketer, you're struggling to create a direct mail campaign. Maybe your last attempt did not work out. Your business management consultant can, of course, help you with your business loans needs and assist you in choosing the best option for your business. Are All Consulting Firms The Same? Which firm do you hire if you have an urgent pricing problem? Are all the firms capable of helping you navigate that problem? They aren't. Some of them will help you and some of them will make things worse. It's important to have an "elite" consulting firm that has the right connections, the right capabilities, and is willing to stake their reputation on your success. If you aren't willing to pay for the help, any consulting firm can't help you. When I first started out in this business, people didn't talk much about the cost of doing business.
We share with you today the top 4 Business Management Consulting Firm in Detroit
Slalom
Slalom is a global consulting firm focused on strategy, technology, and business transformation. They help companies tackle their most ambitious projects and build new capabilities. Contact info: Slalom 660 Woodward Ave Suite 1975, Detroit, Michigan 48226, United States Phone: 206-438-5700
The Barthwell Group
The Barthwell Group, a Certified Woman-Owned, Minority Business Enterprise, is a strategic management consulting firm. They work with a range of clients, from small colleges and universities to Fortune 100 companies, to help them achieve better management outcomes. Through customized assessments, strategic planning, and trainings and workshops they help their clients in a wide range of areas including: diversity and inclusion, brand strategy, supplier diversity strategy, cultural change/organizational cohesion, and strategic collaborations. Contact info: The Barthwell Group 2035 West Boston Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan 48206-3019, United States Phone: 313-866-9000
Best Practices Consulting Services
Their service includes a comprehensive consultation to help identify gaps and opportunities, a comprehensive report that includes a project plan with timelines and milestones, a cost analysis, and a schedule. They also offer a suite of quality products that will help you get there quickly and smoothly. That’s how they ensure your success. Contact info: Best Practices Consulting Services 10000 Wayne Road, Ste 3, Romulus, Michigan 48174, United States Phone: 313-265-3062
LifeLine Global Consulting Services
LifeLine Global Consulting Services is a full-service business planning and management consulting agency serving small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations. Lifeline fulfills its mission of helping individuals in the Detroit area by providing access to resources that accelerate personal development, creating effective strategies and developing strong business plans. Contact info: LifeLine Global Consulting Services 2470 Collingwood St., Suit 329, Detroit, Michigan 48206, United States Phone: 313-629-7983 There will come a time in every entrepreneur’s career when they are ready to move on from their business. However, selling a business is not as easy as going to the bank and cashing a check for your years of hard work. Statistics show that it can take up to 15 months to sell a small business. This process may take even longer if you own and operate a franchise, which comes with its own special set of restrictions and hurdles to clear. To help in this regard, the following breakdown looks at 5 considerations for how to sell a franchise. 1. Look to Get Listed On Franchise Resale Websites
There is no shortage of online real estate and business listing websites. While it is definitely worthwhile to put your franchise on any or all of these platforms, also look into sites that are specific to buying and selling franchise businesses. This can increase your exposure to high-interest buyers. There are countless reasons why a buyer may be interested in only purchasing a franchise. Perhaps they are a current franchisee and want to expand their geographic footprint. Maybe they can achieve greater economies of scale by adding your franchise to their portfolio. Whatever the case, listing your business on a franchise resale marketplace reduces the chances of it getting lost in the crowd of non-franchise businesses, helping you stand out to the most interested buyers. 2. Highlight What Sets Your Location Apart It may seem like pricing your franchise business is a piece of cake compared to other types of property valuations. Simply look at what other franchise locations are selling for, plug your financials into a business valuation calculator, and find the common ground between the two figures. Like most matters business-related, it is never that simple. Although there are some advantages and efficiencies that come with owning a business with a recognizable brand, there is a good chance you are selling your business short if you go “by the book.” Look at what sets your franchise apart from other locations. Is real estate set to appreciate in the coming years? Is your business convenient and easy to access? Have you made any recent upgrades or technological investments? Specifically on this theme, make a point of connecting with buyers on a humanitarian level. Show that you are more than just a corporate machine. Demonstrate how your business gives back to the local community. Outline your plans for providing jobs and retaining local talent. As 86% of people say they are hesitant to buy from a company that has a bad rap, it can really be worth your time to demonstrate how your franchise cares for its local community. 3. Leverage the Experience of the Franchisor Franchisees can sometimes have ambivalent feelings when it comes to their franchisor. Sure, it’s nice to have a recognizable brand and proven business plan when starting your path as an entrepreneur. However, franchise fees, royalties, and/or creativity restrictions are sure to leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many franchisees. Even if your current feelings toward your franchisor aren’t so savory, you need to find a way to look past them during the selling process. The franchisor has likely seen dozens of stores change hands and can be a valuable resource to you as you navigate your sale. In addition, the franchisor is likely to be aware of other franchisees who may be interested in expanding, so they can help put you in contact with more qualified buyers. At the end of the day, the franchisor wants to see all of their locations succeed, so utilizing their experience during the selling process can be extremely beneficial. 4. Work With a Business Broker Speaking of valuable resources, a business broker is a professional, similar to a real estate agent, who can help you facilitate the sale of your business. In addition to having a broad knowledge of the market and experience with how to value a business, a business broker can help in the following ways:
No matter the type of business, it is always best practice to inform your employees of a potential sale. Give them updates on what their continuing status will be with the franchise. Help them plan the next move for their careers if they are uninterested in staying through the transition. On top of this, it is also possible that your buyer may be a member of your current staff. Some of your more long-term employees will have a strong understanding of how the industry works and be looking for ways to advance their careers. What better way than owning and operating their own location! Consider All Options When Selling a FranchiseSelling a franchise has a number of considerations that do not apply to normal business sales. These hurdles can significantly stall the process if not planned for properly. To help you navigate these waters, getting listed on a franchise resale marketplace, highlighting your business’ key distinguishing features, leveraging the experience of your franchisor, working with a business broker, and communicating with your employees are 5 helpful considerations before selling your franchise business. Need to speak with a business advisor? Get in touch with Business Loans Michigan today! If you have a business in Michigan, it’s critical to stay on top of your finances. The truth is, financing is just as important as finding new customers and retaining existing ones is. However, if you are like most small business owners, you should know that bookkeeping and managing money is a common problem. The best way to stay ahead of the game is by preventing some of the major money mistakes that small business owners make. Ready to improve your chances for success, and increase your profitability? Below, Business Loans Michigan lists some of the common money mistakes for small business owners and how to avoid them. Failing to create a budget or sticking to itNot having a budget for your business expenses is a mistake you should avoid. If you don’t have a budget, or you don’t pay attention to the one you created once upon a time, you will probably forget about all future tax obligations, ongoing expenses, insurance payments, etc. That is why you need to learn how to create a small business budget. Insufficient cashThis is one of the main causes of business failure. Small businesses and startups often have it, and it firstly shows up when they start making money and underestimate all the expenses they will incur. You can have plenty of sales, but unless you get paid in advance for them, you will have expenses to pay before collecting from your customers. The problem shows in growing businesses that serve bigger customers or wide markets, but later on need cash to pay for their growing staff, payroll taxes, or overhead expenses. Overspending in the first monthsNext up is the issue of overspending. To prevent it, you’ll need to be realistic about how much business you will do and how fast you will be able to start bringing in new business. However, being too optimistic can lead to overspending, which is why you need to carefully research your needs, put a business plan in place, and create a realistic budget for your business. Mixing business and personal fundsWhether you are new in the business world or have been running a business for a while, mixing your personal and corporate funds is a recipe that leads to disaster. First of all, you will likely have difficulties keeping track of how much money the business is making or losing throughout the year. Also, you will have big headaches with the tax reports, and will find it difficult to get a business loan in Michigan if you ever need one. Waiting too long to seek out a loanPlenty of business owners think that loans are bad for their economic stability. In reality, getting a loan is one of the best ways to grow, expand, update your equipment, invest in new technology, relocate, or hire additional staff. There are plenty of funding sources nowadays and with online business loans, you can get approved in a matter of days using only a simple application form.
We hope that this article helped you understand and prevent some of the costly mistakes business owners make. Now, you can check out our business loan offers and get in touch with our loan advisors for more information on this subject. If you are new in the corporate world and want to learn more about growth, you should know that business finance plays a major role in successful running of a business. You can’t really get any business off the ground without investing some money into it. But how big does an investment like this have to be, and where do you get it? What Is Business Finance?The term business finance basically refers to the practice of managing your money as a business. Obviously, this term can also be a bit vague (especially for new business owners) but covers everything from buying equipment to handling taxes, selling assets, or borrowing money. Some of the most common categories here include:
Each of these relates to the overall flow of assets within a business, which is why you have to maintain a careful balance between all of them. Even one misstep can lead to financial troubles that may last for years or decades. Types Of Business FinanceIn business finance, there are generally two main categories you should be aware of. The first one is debt, or borrowing money from an existing institution such as a bank, and returning the money with interest over time. The second category is equity, which means selling shares of your business to investors. In practice, both of these categories are combined to maintain a solid cash flow. Next, we have short-term finance, medium-term finance, and long-term finance. As the name implies, short-term finance covers a short period of time which is up to a year, medium-term finance covers a period of 3 to 5 years, while long-term finance are the actions you do for longer periods such as equity capital, preference capital, term loans, debentures, etc. The Need For Business FinanceIf you are wondering why you would need additional finance for your business, there are plenty of things you can do with a simple business line of credit or a term loan, for example. Some of the most common reasons for business financing include:
We hope this guide helped you understand the concept of business finance and the ways you can finance your business for growth. Now, check out some of the best business loans in Michigan and use our online application form to apply for your loan today! The effects of COVID-19 are still visible all around the world, and the global efforts to contain the outbreak through mobility restrictions have caused drastic shifts in consumer demand and behavior. The financial recovery of businesses is kind of asymmetrical – amidst all of this, economic recovery is crucial in the return to a normal world. However, such a form of expansion needs to happen on a broad scale with plenty of resources for businesses in all areas and sectors. And while governments are easing restrictions in stages, business will recover at varied paces based on their industry and geography. If your business has been hit by the pandemic, it’s time to think about financial recovery. Below, we are listing the five steps you should consider and start with the recovery process. 1.First of all, think about health and securityCOVID-19 is a human problem that requires a proper health response in order to protect more people. In the business sphere, this means starting with health and security – you should make sure you have implemented some of the best practices to keep your employees safe and prevent further transmission. Safe distance protocols, plexiglass barriers, masks in some areas or vaccination entry only are some of the common practices. If you can’t make this work, make sure there is a way for your people to work remotely. Be sensitive to the financial distress that your personnel may be experiencing and look to build employee loyalty above all. 2.Prepare a communication planA solid communication plan should target employees, customers, and suppliers. It should voice a clear and concise message, schedule regular updates and use technology to send out messages to everyone. You should put someone you trust in charge of your communication plan – ideally, look for someone from the HR department to lead it. 3.Contact your customersContact your customers and confirm that business is as usual and all the orders or services are on track and/or available. You don’t really need to renegotiate payment terms, but you may need to defer production or loosen some of the terms. There will be some changes in your cash flow, which is why you need to understand the financial impact of these changes and develop a forecast that reflects the changes. 4.Reach out to your suppliersWhen it comes to suppliers, there will probably be some delays, so make sure you contact them and know this early – all so you can manage your customers’ expectations and update your plans. 5.Evaluate your capacity, resources, and cash flowAn aligned workforce is the best way to work towards your new projections. Demand may dip, which is when you will want to realign things and see where you can shave costs and discover some other more sustainable cost savings from which you can benefit after recovery. Question which expenses are really necessary and optimize your budget.
If needed, you can always seek out business loans in Michigan and get up and running again at full capacity – there are options with flexible repayment plans and good interest rates. For more information about corporate financing, contact us today! If you just opened a business in your favorite neighborhood and completed the paperwork, it’s time to get organized and think about all the ways you can create a solid marketing strategy. Working with your local chamber of commerce should definitely be on your list as one of the things you can do to network with like-minded people, get more potential clients, and discover the best form of support in your journey to growth.
By definition, a local chamber of commerce is an organization that exists to help promote a local business community. In other words, this organization is local for businesses in the area, and its main purpose is to bring together the professionals in town and encourage them to share their experiences, support and learn from each other. Similar to a business network but set up locally, a chamber of commerce is designed to help business owners in a formal environment. There are plenty of advantages to joining a local chamber of commerce. You can get a publicity boost, discover plenty of networking opportunities, get freebies and discounts as well as open up to a larger target audience. The chamber of commerce can support you online, too, which is certainly some free publicity and positive brand awareness in your region. Additionally, each chamber of commerce has a couple of brand objectives that are mostly oriented to improving a community’s economy and the quality of life. These include:
Among the other advantages, we can also note that millions of businesses nowadays actively participate in events created by such chambers of commerce, and most of them benefit from the fact that they are recognized locally and can get more consumers to shop with them. Joining a chamber of commerce is a great way to get started with a new business, and working with it is recommended for becoming known in the community. From invitations to local events to increasing your business exposure, a chamber of commerce offers great networking opportunities and a chance for every business to easily get found locally and online. You can even participate in seasonal campaigns and enjoy a variety of discounts as a member of the chamber – whether it’s in other member businesses or improved banking accounts at local financial institutions. Plenty of studies show that consumers link chamber of commerce membership with business trustworthiness – one study confirmed this and showed that consumers are 68% more likely to buy from a local business that is a member of a chamber of commerce. Credibility is important and benefits every business owner. For many, being able to establish credibility early on makes the difference between building a successful business and being out of business in just a few years. Don't hesitate to contact our team if you have any questions! We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many companies across different regions and industries in many different ways. While many employees and front line workers have continued their work in physical settings, there are still some people that have been working from home. How To Create A Resilient Workforce?In times when employee absenteeism in the workplace is high due to the pandemic, many people are likely to experience emotional distress. Below are some of the best ways you can empower your workforce.
Encourage Self-Care Self-care is a vital aspect in the workplace, and there are plenty of ways to encourage it. For instance, you can give away some vacation time without the punishment in the form of more work or special projects assigned to employees who are constantly available. Document your expectations for “disconnect behavior.” This will help you reduce burnout and prove to your employees that they don’t need to be “always online.” Lastly, offer wellness programs that promote self-care. For instance, a yoga class during lunch, meditation tools after work or an online workout session can do wonders for their overall health. Communicate With People Communication is important, and sometimes, it must come in the one-on-one form. Even though it might take some time, it is the first step to understanding what your employees need. Some of the questions you can ask yourself are: What are my employees’ personal and professional concerns? How did COVID-19 impact most of their work and environment? Are they caretakers, do they have elderly relatives, or ill family members? Have they lost someone in the pandemic? Do they have specific workplace safety concerns, or concerns getting to and from work? What do they truly need to feel supported? Answering these questions can give you a better idea on your employees’ needs and what it takes to properly address them. Provide Mental Health Support The number of people with mental health issues has increased during the past year. The direct impact of the pandemic has to do a lot with that, inducing a certain brain fog or triggering issues such as depression, anxiety, or OCD behaviours. If you have a mental health coverage plan in place, you should do everything to promote it. Let your employees know about it and what it covers. Utilizing mental health services should be anonymous and confidential – but if you don’t provide coverage, try to offer alternatives or low-cost mental health services. Be There For Them Employees love appreciation. You should do everything you can to inform them of their successes or new/modified work policies. In this manner, you can celebrate their wins, identify their new or potential career paths, address all workspace changes, and give them a chance to understand all of the policies you have in place, designed for their own well being. Final Words There are millions of workers that are still on job retention schemes, as well as some that are unemployed or underemployed. For many, the financial situation has weakened, and the new virus variants still impose restrictions on economic activity. That is why it is important to be there for each employee and continue supporting their families. Looking beyond all of this chaos and adapting to the current situation is the only way to grow your business and succeed. Even if you need to get back to basics, do that diligently and find new ways to work efficiently. |
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June 2022
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