case histories

 

CHALLENGE – Business founders aging, felt forced to sell their successful publishing business.

ACTION – Determine with founders what about the business they most enjoy and discover that this is the creativity of new acquisitions.
OUTCOME - Found a joint venture partner and negotiated a joint venture that took the burden of daily operations from the founders and allowed them to concentrate on the parts of the business they love.

 

 

 

CHALLENGE -  Family business expanding and taking on new risks.  One of the siblings, a founder, wanted to be bought out and to continue to work in the business.  The other sibling, the CEO, wanted to find a solution that would protect the company’s solvency and the sibling relationship.
ACTION -  Facilitated communication, clarity of purpose on both sides and the parameters of a business deal.
OUTCOME - Successful meeting of the minds and hearts, buy out plan created, sibling relationship preserved.

 

 

 

CHALLENGE – Construction company business founders wanted to stabilize an undercapitalized, fast growing company.
ACTION -  Analyzed business systems, created financial and cash flow models, interviewed and hired controller, created staffing plan, created procedure manuals, negotiated preferred stock sale to increase capital, worked within the business as a temporary CFO, brought in a marketing specialist.
OUTCOME -  Business stabilized.

 

 

 

CHALLENGE -  Business founders wished to sell business to a publicly traded corporation and continue to work within the business once sold.
ACTION – Worked with company lawyer to negotiate complex sale documents which clearly reflected the owners’ intentions.   Managed the intricate due diligence response required to fast track the sale.
OUTCOME – Business sold at a handsome profit.   Business founders continue to work in the new company.

 

 

 

CHALLENGE – Elder sibling and CEO of four siblings who together operate a restaurant asked for help in integrating the work of the siblings and improving communication.
ACTION – Held series of meetings with the siblings leading them through an appreciative inquiry process that allowed them to see what about the business and working with each other they deeply value and to practice increased communication.  Then transitioned the group into working with specific technical roles and issues within the business.
OUTCOME – Siblings working more pro-actively with one another, solving technical problems of the business and communicating more fluently.

 

 

 

CHALLENGE – Trustees of a non-profit corporation were concerned about the viability of the business and were considering a merger.
ACTION – Examined the merger plan, forecast system integration issues resulting from the merger, worked with Board to determine alternative possibilities, interviewed and hired new specialist CEO and worked with the process as a new strategic plan was developed. 
OUTCOME – Merger was avoided, non-profit is revitalized and is planning expansion into new areas.

 

 

 

CHALLENGE - Couple wanted to create an estate plan that would reflect their intentions and values.
ACTION -  Held series of meetings that helped the client focus on what they most deeply care about and what would protect them, honor their children and allow them to express their gratitude and their intentions regarding their wealth.  Helped chose an estate lawyer who could work with them effectively and managed the communications with the lawyer and the couple’s investment counselor.
OUTCOME – Clients’ intentions focused.  Estate plan created.