Colleagues
Dr. Phil |
Case Study One: Colleagues
ISSUE/OPPORTUNITY
Two businessmen who had formerly worked together as colleagues were beginning the process of starting
their own business. They lived in different states, but had the capability to deliver the services of their
new business without maintaining expensive central office overhead. The soon-to-be partners were in the
process of incorporation, knew what services they expected to offer their clients, and understood critical
start-up details needed to be addressed; however they were very involved with their existing business
responsibilities. They required help to accomplish important start-up basics, and they desired some
on-going business management support.
SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME
Due to geographic and time zone differences, PRISM utilized numerous conference calls and e-mail to move the
partners through the steps of naming the new company, securing a domain name, working with a graphic artist
to create a logo, business cards and stationary, and then collaborating with their web-site designer to assure
they would have a strong internet presence - their virtual brochure! PRISM established bank accounts and set up
QuickBooks to assist in the financial management of the new company.
In addition to handling the "nuts and bolts" start-up tasks, PRISM also conducted a day-long team meeting,
bringing key people together at a centrally located site, to begin to add substance to the partners' vision.
PRISM helped set the agenda for the meeting, provided the handout materials, and as the proceedings commenced,
encouraged everyone to articulate their varying expectations of the meeting, as well as to share their motivation for
coming together to work as a new team. Through skillful facilitation, discussions were kept on point, and participants
agreed at day's end that their goals and expectations had been met.
The day-long deliberations aided the partners in articulating the exceptional benefit they would offer their
clients, identified the competition, and everyone strategized how the partners' services would be uniquely
different. Vital discussions regarding the company vision and mission resulted in the creation of a draft
mission statement that would receive further wordsmithing. A number of strategic goals were identified and
an outline of a marketing plan was constructed.
After crafting a succinct Business Plan, the partners stand ready to serve new clients. PRISM continues to
provide management services - all the while keeping overhead costs down for the new partnership.
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