Consulting Business Indianapolis

This morning, I'm heading out to run the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.  After weeks of training, it all boils down to left, right, left right.

I'm thinking that training and running a race is no different than preparing for funding your company.  Business funding in Indianapolis or any other city involves the same discipline and persistence.

There will be positive days and negative days along the way especially if you are in a project involving business formation.  As a business consulting firm, we see the training from an outsiders perspective.

Our advice: Stick with the training.  When you cross the finish line, you will appreciate all the work along the journey.

What race are you running?

Be+Do+Solve(TM)

When you read the title, you probably thought I was going to mention China, India, etc.  Outsourcing is a broad term.  For example, if your company uses an outside printing firm to complete your marketing materials, then you are outsourcing. 

We are currently working on a project for a medical device start-up in Central Indiana.  The scope of the project involves formation of the supply chain for the product to get to market.

During our initial conversation with the client, we discussed the potential for outsourcing the manufacturing to places outside of Indiana.  I know that many of you are not happy with outsourcing in its various forms.  In my opinion, I think that outsourcing can be the key to the growth of a business.  The focus of the business should be on its core expertise.  All the rest, you need to outsource.

Fortunately, we are working with our Indianapolis business relationships to keep the initial launch local.  As a global business consulting firm, we could have worked with our partners outside of Indiana.  We decided to outsource locally to control the initial process.

Is your company focusing 100% on its core business?

Be+Do+Solve(TM)

A non-scientific review of Indianapolis business trends reveals that technology companies are growing despite the economy.  Now, I'm not selecting the technology industry to suggest that everyone should switch to that industry.

As a business consulting firm, we use technology but are far from a technology company.  One of our partners, Dave Castor at Alerding Castor, keeps our team informed about technology.

I just think that other industries can learn from the technology industry.  Whether your firm is a manufacturer or a business services organization, the lessons from the technology company can help you.

I could use examples from our company or our clients but I thought I would a share a video clip which prompted my thoughts on this subject.  Although David Lawee, VP Corporate Development at Google is speaking about business formation issues related to technology, he presented two themes that resonated with me and probably will with you as well.

#1 - Passion, Partnerships and Speed
#2 - Maximize time and people resources



We all use technology in our organizations for-profit and NGO alike.  What can you or have you learned from those organizations that create the technology you use?

Be+Do+Solve(TM)

The door is open.

The time for complaining about the economy is over.  Whether you are a start-up dealing with business formation issues or a existing company looking for ways to grow your business, it's time to walk through the door.

Business owners need to take a step back from the noise and review the landscape.  Broadly speaking, business are failing and people are losing jobs.  Upon further review, some businesses are failing due to bad management or lack of investing in their infrastructure during the good times.  If your organization is looking to survive or grow, you may want to explore strategies outside of working with banks or grants for funding sources to assist with growth.

For example, one of our clients, a start-up, is working on closing their first round of funding.  They will use the funding to begin production of their product.  In concert with the funding round, they have secured LOIs (Letters of Intent) and other agreements which will generate revenue in their first year.  As a potential solution, we have been approached by and are in talks with several marketing firms which can make the investment.  The marketing firm would be the strategic partner and investor.  The revenues of both companies are projected to benefit from this partnership.

Although we are a business consulting firm based in Indianapolis, we are observing the success of alternative business models from Seattle to South Africa.

Have you been successful with strategic partners investing in your business?

Be+Do+Solve(TM)

The temperature outside has dropped 30 degrees in the last 24 hours here in Indianapolis.  With the frigid temperatures and strong winds, a strategy from staying warm has to be implemented.  One of the key strategies is to dress in layers rather than wearing one big coat.

In business, we are all experiencing a change in the weather.  If we try to use a one-size-fits-all solution, we may not be able to weather the storm.  We prefer to advise our clients on incremental solutions similar to wearing layers of clothing to protect yourself from the cold weather.  You've heard about the principles of Kaizen and Six Sigma.  For those that don't know, Kaizen focuses on ocuses on continuous improvement.  Six Sigma focuses on improving processes and eliminating defects.

As a business consulting firm, we help our clients (including virtual business clients) to implement the components of these principles that work for their given industry.  From a law firm to an Indiana life science company, we partner with our clients to develop incremental solutions which can help to provide stability in a time of "quick fixes".

When the winter temperatures hit our area, we prefer to use layers and dress for long-term warmth.  What does your winter clothing look like?

Be+Do+Solve(TM)