Distributor

Professional Business Assessment...a diagnostic business review

Most of our clients contact us with specific business issues that they are experiencing now or expect to in the future. For example: "we have problems generating and holding margin" or "our market seems to have changed" or "we are just having problems with planning for the future". The business assessment that ARA developed is designed to look at perceived problems that maybe symptoms of larger issues or issues that are entirely different than what the client initially started out with.

Getting the diagnostics process started:

The first step is that we sign a confidentiality agreement up front to cover any and all documents you choose to show us. By taking this step up front, it allows us to perform our "homework and analysis" prior to setting up our first visit.  You will be asked to fill out a tailored form to get your perspective on your business.  This will help us with a pre-analysis of your business before we meet.

What is involved in business assessment?

Most assessments include an evening meal or meeting the day before with your key staff members who will be interviewed the following day. The basic purpose of this meal/meeting is to explain the process and develop a level of comfort and rapport about the process.  The next day, ARA personnel begin selected interviews that look beyond surface issues and deal with root causes. Are comparative metrics or analytics use? For some clients it is helpful to be exposed to what similar size businesses in the same industry are generating. For other companies, their goals and operational ratios are entirely different. There are common core issues. While some may liken this to an annual diagnostic business review, others will see it as a chance to further the growth goals. Because ARA personnel are outside the business being assessed, their view will be based on years of industry experience.

At the conclusion, a debriefing meeting is held with the owners and or the executive staff. We provide a written summary assessment within a 10-14 day period of time. Included in the assessment will be ARA's recommendations. Some clients will use our recommendations to develop their own ways of handling their issues internally, assuming they have the depth and expertise. ARA will also provide  proposals addressing the totality of issues where we feel that  ARA can provide real value beyond the client's needs.

Costs and valued feedback:

The cost of an assessment will vary depending number of branches, geographical location, and inclusion of function and personnel evaluations and of course the number of days. The fees range from $4,000 to $15,000, plus travel expenses.

Currently ARA has conducted assessments for distributors ranging in size from $2 million to several billion in annual revenues.  Some of the comments we've recorded are:

"We are very glad we brought you in. Your company provided a fresh look at our company that has proven to be true. We just couldn't seem to see the trees for the forest." -Owner-$50 million distributor

"Your observations proved to be true and hit the nail on the head"- President -$150 million distributor

"When we first talked, I should have brought your firm in right then. We could have dealt with the issues before it got out of hand. Thanks for opening our eyes."- VP Marketing- $18 million- distributor.

Call Allen Ray at 817-704-0068 or email: allen@allenray.com . Ask for a sample business assessment report or any additional information regarding various types of professional business assessments.

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Gaining mind share of your company to get the business software to take your company to the next level?

• The step by step review of your company to help you analyze your company's needs for improving and increasing
• How to develop buy in for your current  needs now and needs in the future
• This is not for the faint of heart, as this paper covers the hard decisions you will face as you move through choosing the next generation of business software. To start the process, please send me an email with "Gaining mind share "in the subject section, along with your name and company contact information.

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 Are you getting your money's worth?  Connect with your manufacturers or your customers? Where is your pay off?

• The promise of cost savings between a distributor's manufacturers and their company is real. But is it worth the expense? To explore those cost saving it might help to read the back ground research: Data Synchronization (from IDEA research paper) For some, the cost savings is worth the expense.

Synchronization Assessment: Most clients contact us with questions about whether it is worth the money invested to synchronize data between themselves and their manufacturers. We sign a confidentiality agreement with your firm, up front. This is done to create a feeling of comfort with our process.

How does a Synchronization Assessment work? Generally ARA will start with a general business assessment that covers business size, lines carried and etc. Based on this phone interview ARA will recommend an on site visit with selected personnel interviews in your business or, we may recommend that confidential sales history files be forwarded for review.

The results will yield a written report that recommends the cost savings that are attainable by synchronization with manufacturers and the on going cost to continue synchronization.

Synchronization Cost Assessment: ARA feels that we provide value to the client before they commit moneis and assets to a synchronization project. The fees range from $3,500 to $10,000 plus travel related expenses.

• Many clients (distributors) are more interested in electronic connectivity with their customers. So, what are the opportunities for distributor's to connect with their customers? Currently there is a lot of paper being pushed at your customers. What are the benfits and potential gains for a distributor that connects with selected customers?