Voice: (304) 965-7100 Fax: (304) 965-3777
We're a small, family-based business helping other small, family-based businesses prosper.
Our network of business consultants operate throughout the US and Canada servicing your business with affordable fees. These fees are known to you before you engage us and are based on the amount of time and resources we put into the assignment.
Onsite Visit
We come to your place of business, help you determine where you are, where you want to be and help devise a plan to get you there. This plan is in the form of actionable steps and a budget. We also focused on helping you solve your pressing issues or take advantage of opportunities.
But we also will compare your operation with our known set of best practices that we have found in similar businesses as well as our family-based business principles. This is one way we help you maintain performance.
Further, it is our practice to perform a free pre-visit analysis to assure both the client and ourselves that our visit will be productive and that our services can be useful to you.
The number of people employed by the business and the complexities of the issues identified in the previsit analysis determine what consultants are needed. And we have the capabilities of providing even larger teams when the situation warrants.
Our starting point during the visit is the goals of the owners. Goals dealing with cash and/or time are typical.
With respect to cash, we typically calculate the amount of cash required for the health of the business and the amount available for expansion or acquisition. We also estimate the amount required for goals such as retirement and/or education for children, which can have a dramatic impact on the business.
Regarding time, we evaluate what people do, the organizational structure of the company and make recommendations in this area if warranted. The financial statements are analyzed to see where you are today. Many times this analysis will point out areas of improvement. We also view how the people assets of the company are used. Are needed functions performed? Are too many people doing the same thing? In some instances, production is a significant bottleneck. In those instances, the production flow will be reviewed and improvements suggested.
The team also considers what threats, if any, stand in the way of achieving the goals. Perhaps transition issues and/or the training of the next generation are issues for instance.
Fundamental among our tools are interviews and surveys of workers. These interviews are necessary since many owners decide changes should be made on the basis of our visit. When workers have had input into the process, they are more accepting of needed changes. Because of this, we will survey and/or interview as many people as we can within your organization our first day. In doing this, we are able to help the people of the organization prepare for change as well as gather valuable information for your consideration. Usually companies with up to 25 employees can be processed within the standard two-day visit. Sometimes companies with more employees will take a day or two more.
During the interviews, we will try to create as little disruption as possible within your worker's daily routine, however, it is important that we be able to speak to all pertinent individuals during our first day. We will bring to your attention, or to the attention of your designated supervisor, anyone with whom we are having difficulty scheduling an interview.
On the final day of the visit, the team meets with the principals to report the findings and to work with them in developing an action agenda and budget. A written report follows the visit, usually within the week.
Our view of your business is long-term. We try to look out at a twenty-year horizon and help you plan for the future. After all, a successful business requires us to be able to withstand adversity. This on-site visitation helps you to be sure you are doing all you can do to prepare yourself for the unknown.
Your Report
Within ten days of the completion of the on-site, a formal report is sent to you. It records observations, suggestions, and any recommendations of the visitation team. It also contains your formal budget and action plan. In addition, the team usually leaves a working copy of each with you during the visitation.
You may request additional copies of the report if you wish at no additional charge so all principals may have a copy.
Be Sure To Read These Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who makes travel arrangements? Our staff makes all travel and hotel arrangements. All you have to do is give us directions to your business and perhaps some suggestions with respect to hotels. We take care of the rest.
2. When do you arrive? The on-site is usually a two-day process. Your team arrives in your shop at 9 am each day which gives you time to "clear the decks" before we launch into your work. This also gives our team time to communicate with our office and take care of any other pertinent client business.
3. When will the owners be involved? We will need you particularly during the morning of day one as much of this time is spent assessing goals and concerns of management. It is important that all principals be in attendance. This could be you and your spouse or other significant other person. We then need the same principals at our presentation session on day two.
In the interim, (afternoon of day one and morning of day two) we usually are able to work independently with only intermittent interruptions for you. Most of day one is used to gather information to "put ourselves in your shoes." We do not offer instant solutions.
The planning session typically begins on day two by 10:30 am and runs for several hours. It takes us about two hours to present our findings. The remainder of the day depends upon your needs, questions and concerns. Usually we find these sessions about four hours in total although they can be longer or shorter, depending upon the findings. You will want to keep interruptions to a minimum, especially during the presentation session on day two and the morning of day one.
4. What about lunches and dinner? Most of the time we have lunch brought in so that a maximum amount of time can be spent within your business. Frequently, the owner, spouse and visitation team will meet for dinner on the evening of day one, although it is not required. While we can't discuss the evaluation of your business that evening because it is not yet complete, it is an opportunity to get to know each other better.
Why Choose Crouser & Associates, Inc. For Your On-Site Evaluation
While we can not speak for other firms, we would note the following points about the services of Crouser & Associates, Inc.
1. You Hire A Team Not an Individual: When you hire Crouser & Associates, Inc., you hire a team of professionals to help you prosper. Our staff completes preparatory prior to the team's arrival. In addition, it is our practice to perform a free pre-visit analysis to assure both the client and ourselves that our visit will be productive.
2. We Are Full Time Consultants. Crouser & Associates, Inc. is a full-time consulting business formed in 1985 and it is not a sideline for us. Our mission is to help you and your family prosper. We are the largest family-based business consulting firm in the US. Our consulting office is open from 9 am to 4:30 PM EST weekdays for client assistance.
3. Our Visitation Professionals are academically and practically qualified to help you prosper. Our visitation teams are lead by people who not only hold at least a Masters in Business Administration, but also who have had at least six years of experience in consulting with business owners helping them achieve their goals.
4. We do more family-based business on-sites than anyone else. While other firms consult with family-based businesses, we dedicated to the job.
5. Support: With Crouser & Associates Inc., the on-site consultation is not an end in itself. We support our reports for up to 18 months after the fact. Many of our clients request regular re-visits every year or eighteen months.
6. Results. We request you discuss results with others that have utilized our services. We think you will agree with them that our fees are very reasonable especially when compared with our results.
Would you like to discuss our on-site visitation and how it might help your business? Call (304) 965-7100 between 9 am and 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time. Or message george@crouser.com. You will be glad you did.
Thomas P. Crouser
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