SUCCESS STORIES

Credit union: New CEO, in first CEO position joins because he knows that he doesn’t know all the things he should in leading his credit union. Since joining, he has completely changed his corporate culture, added four branches (and has plans for five more) and gone from 9th in the state in asset share growth to first, ahead of many larger credit unions. Earnings have roughtly doubled in three years. Member graduates from monthly to quarterly group.

Software company: CEO joins because he’s run his firm single-handedly for 17 years, is feeling a little burned out. Gets reenergized by monthly meetings, makes several changes in senior management team, including harmonizing them. Better awareness of sales, undertaking two new product development projects. Still working on programmer productivity.

Software company. CEO joins because he wants an outside validation source for ideas generated by his own management team. Rides out tech collapse in 2001, sales drop 60%, uses Solutions Forum to keep sanity. Finally buys out last partner, with advice from Solutions Forum, which coincides with upturn in business. Looking at possible diversifications.

Solar power design and parts distribution company. Veteran CEO and member of Solutions Forum convinces owner of company to cede majority control of company in return for taking company to next level. Sales up 50% this year, possibly 100% next year. Veteran CEO learns to trust wisdom of group in selecting a business partner.

Financial planning firm. Member joins to receive validation of promotion plans, later breaks up firm when partner retires. Develops, and receives Solutions Forum validation of an innovative promotional method for tax returns, planning, which leads to more financial planning customers. Likely the most rapidly growing tax firm in Phoenix.

Construction company: Reorganized the company in one meeting, saving about $50,000 of overhead. Also advised on personnel selection, negotiations with a major grocery chain and later entry into Chapter 11. Savings: at least $50,000

Advertising/software: Advised on and validated merger with a larger, complimentary European software firm, doubling size of member firm. Benefit: about $l million in the first year. Also advised on hiring of outside counsel to stop piracy of intellectual property; savings estimated at $500,000.

Fast food chain: member originally joined as Chief Operating Officer of a wholesale transmission rebuilder and, later, through the group, became aware of several fast food chains that needed his fast food expertise. With financial backing, member later bought a Tucson chain, and will become one of the first licensees of Solutions Forum. Benefit: approximately $200,000 to the member through consulting fees gained, validation of his wish to run and expand a chain of fast food restaurants.

Paving contractor: member originally joined to get psychic relief as he ramped up his business (he had just made major equipment investments), but enjoyed a sales increase from $1.5 million to $2.7 million per year, and also got important benefits in effectively dealing with employees. Overall benefit: $300,000.

Charter jet operator: Successful entrepreneur assumed control of charter jet business after being an investor, and joined to get perspective on supply/demand problems. Group invented another method of increasing supply of aircraft, by brokering time on corporate jets, while ramping up private fleet. Profit improvement: about $300,000.

Underground pipe laying contractor: Highly successful founder of rapidly growing company joined to explore increasing in size (we also placed a marketing director with him, and added $15 million of backlog in a year), or downsizing the company to do what he liked doing best, which is running field crews. Benefit: $175,000 for added business; self-knowledge, priceless.

Sales training company: Founder joined shortly after starting company; group has aided in positioning the company relative to several competitors and keeping finances in order during a period of rapid growth, which is still occurring. Revenues are triple the level on joining. Benefit to date: $200,000.

Architectural firm: Founder joins for advice in cashing out difficult partner, receives negotiating advice over several months, saving about $100,000.

Tile and stone importing and distribution: Founder’s son joins at father’s request, group identifies problems with succession plan, turns member over to family counseling specialist to iron out problems with buyout plans. Benefit: priceless.

Personnel leasing company: Improved hiring procedures through better personnel selection, reduced turnover. Savings: $100,000.

Drawer manufacturer: In first meeting, got advice on settling potentially nasty lawsuit with trash disposal company. One time savings: $16,000, and better legal counsel (priceless)