Success Story #1 – Tissue Talk
Through a mutual friend I got connected with the owner of an online massage instruction video service. Tissue Talk Academy is designed to help registered massage therapists enhance their skills and learn advance techniques. In addition, they also help with the business side of operating a Massage Therapy Clinic. www.perfectbalanceseminars.com is the link for the main business and then students are able to log in to their Academy portal for the advanced techniques. In there the owner wanted top offer business knowledge to her students so they know there are items to consider and learn about beyond working on with client.
This is common for small business owners who are just starting out because they want to help people or sell some of their items. But they don’t know what a balance sheet is or how to market themselves. Sometimes people must leave their place of employment and then choose to start their own business rather then finding a regular job again. The owner wants to ensure that therapists survive the business start up phase and set themselves up for success. But not overwhelm them with all that needs to be done. So we came up with a plan to add a module to the academy and coach them through what they need to know.
The lessons are a video series based online with the option of talking with the owner when needed for extra help. We wanted to produce the same type of thing for them but not get to detailed and load them up with too much info. New small business owners are already bombarded with lots of information and learning. Together we designed a 10 topic slide presentation that gave some knowledge but more specifically some thought provoking items that encouraged them to follow up with and learn more. We wanted them to reach out and ask questions about certain topics. This allowed them to feel they gained some knowledge and that they now have a Coach to help and guide them through their journey. Everyone needs a team of supports around them to succeed and a Coach is an important part of the team.
The slides have been well received by the students. The course was enhanced by providing these extra tips and lessons about how to operate their business. It increased the confidence of the students and they appreciated the Coaching that was available to them. The course is seen as more reputable and helpful and the students are referring others to the Tissue Talk Academy for the lessons. “I use the techniques that you teach, and they work wonders! I now insist that any new therapists I hire, obtain certificates from your courses. This will ensure that they are serious about their work, and they have been taught the skills they need to be successful therapists.”
Success Story #2 – Fiber Optic Cable Project
While working with a Government client with regular items I assist them with, a conversation came up about a new project that resulted in them feeling overwhelmed. The project was rather large in that they decided on a vendor to project manage the installation of Fiber Optic Cable to every premise in their community. This included homes and businesses. Through their RFP process finding the vendor was not that difficult but then the harder work started. A contract had to be written for both companies and they required a third party to help with negotiations and writing the contract. That is where I came in. Acting as a neutral company I was able to write the basis for the contract and then speak with both the Government and the vendor to come up with mutually beneficial language and create a contract they were both wiling to sign.
The process started off with a first draft of what I thought was a good foundation of the agreement and how we should approach this contract writing. It included the traditionally legal necessities, definitions, and terms required in most contracts. Then we added the specifics of the project and what is required to purchase materials, lay out the project management requirements, sub-contractor information for the construction and installation, and the work-order and payment transactions. The hiring of a Consultant allowed them to only get help on a temporary basis and not take their staff away from their other important tasks.
The contract was continually reviewed over Zoom meetings and both interested parties work well together to add their important and adjust the language. I, as being a mediator and advisor for both, the contract got completed and eventually signed. Yes, it took a few revisions and multiple meetings, but this was a larger agreement and had a value of over $20,000,000.
At a formal public signing event, both the Government and the vendor presented why they are excited about this new unique project and how well the process has progressed to this point. The citizens in attendance, staff from both parties and the press enjoyed the presentation then watched the signing of the contract. This has resulted in new jobs; money being spent in the community and a great relationship between the vendor and Government. Coaches and Consultants can be invaluable when working on projects of such big scale.
Success Story #3 – Integrated Comprehensive Security System
My client had multiple buildings and facilities all using many different security protocols and vendors to protect what they had. But it got to be too much and with no policies in place things were inefficient and expensive. They hired Stage-COACH Consulting to conduct and internal review to find out what they had and to prioritize buildings and assets. Then find a new vendor that could take care of it all. Once chosen, negotiate with the vendor for the final contract and begin implementation. This was too much to take on with their over worked staff and would have resulted in potentially never getting completed and overspending till it got fixed. In addition, they could not go through the process of hiring someone that could work out of multiple departments to complete this task. They just did not operate that way.
Therefore, we went into the company and began the interviews. This was over many departments and required some creative digital techniques to consolidate the information and share it with a few people. Over the course of collecting, we found which buildings of the 95 needed priority security, what was the current inventory of security equipment, methodology for the physical locks on the buildings and other items. At the end of this we began to write an Expression of Interest to be released so we could collect submissions and find out the latest security technology on the market and find an innovative vendor. This resulted in 35 interested companies, 11 submissions to review and a winner to be chosen. Nest step was to negotiate with the vendor and begin the implementation of the new equipment.
The result of this process and coordination of the new security protocol was exactly what the client needed. This improved efficiency with their internal operations and the staff morale increased. The cost decreased to secure what they wanted, and, in the method, they wanted was achieved. Finance department saw a decrease in invoicing, time spent, and money allocated to the category of security. Overall, their assets are safe and secure, employees are happy, and profits have increased. The additional benefit achieved was that because responsibility was taken away from some key staff, they had more time to allocate to other priorities and tasks that needed to be completed.
