Business Strategies and Planning for Sustainable Growth

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if Ground Floor Partners is a good match for my business?

A: As business growth consultants, we can help almost any legitimate business, from start-up through middle market. Every business should have a realistic business plan and a marketing plan based on accurate, current market research. However, there are specific industries and business types where we may not be the best fit. We will be happy to discuss your situation confidentially, and will immediately let you know whether or not we think we are a good fit for your business.

Q: Do you work with businesses that do not involve a lot of technology?

A: Yes. We work with clients in many other areas. Please contact us to discuss your situation confidentially.

Q: Do you provide client references?

A: We are happy to provide client references to serious prospects once we have held initial discussions and have tentatively agreed on the scope and structure of an engagement.

Q: I just need a few hours of consulting time to help me with my business. Can you still help me?

A: Our online store allows entrepreneurs and small business owners to purchase a business plan review. This is currently the only "package" we offer online. We accept most major credit cards. And turnaround time is fast since there is no complicated contract to review and sign.

Q: I am an entrepreneur with a great idea. I need help developing my business plan, but I have a limited budget and an uncertain schedule. Can you help me?

A: We now offer a lower cost, self-paced business plan option for entrepreneurs in your situation. With this package you develop the business plan at your own pace using worksheets that we provide. We are available at any time to help you when you get stuck, and when you are ready, we'll write the final plan and create the pro-forma financial projections in a format that bankers understand. The time frame is completely up to you, so if you have all your ducks in a row you can complete everything in a few weeks. Or, if you get stuck or need extra time to work on other things, you can stretch the work out over several months. It is completely up to you. Note that this option is NOT a good fit for most technology businesses or businesses with complex business models. It IS a great fit for more traditional businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, spas, salons, and some professional services businesses seeking SBA or other bank financing.

Q: I understand that business strategy consulting can be very expensive. Can you help me if I am on a more limited budget?

A: Everything we do is tailored to each client's individual situation. If you tell us your budget, as long as it is reasonable, we can work within it. For instance, on the strategy consulting side, we can set up a half day strategy workshop for less than two thousand dollars. If you need more, we can build from there. The point is we can work with you.

Q: My company has very proprietary information, which I do not want to leak out. Do you sign non-disclosure agreements?

A: Once we have determined that there is a good match between your needs and Ground Floor Partners' capabilities, we can send you a mutual non-disclosure agreement. This agreement protects both parties from disclosure of confidential information. And, if you become a client of Ground Floor Partners, our standard contract provides ample protection that covers most circumstances.

Q: Why don't you list more of your clients' names on your website?

A: Most of our clients insist on strict confidentiality, so we cannot divulge any information about them beyond their industry and a general description of the type of services we provided them.

Q: Do you work with non-profit organizations?

A: Although most of our clients are small or mid-size businesses, we also work with non-profits and associations. As long as we are a good fit in terms of skills and expertise we are happy to work with any legitimate organization. In particular, we work with technology commercialization (or tech transfer) groups at major universities.

Q: Do you work with clients outside of the Chicago metropolitan area?

A: YES! We have worked with clients across the United States, as well as in Europe and Africa.

Q: Your focus seems to be on business planning and strategy. Do you also help clients with marketing or strategy execution?

A: Although our greatest expertise is in business strategy and planning, we also help clients with a wide variety of other issues. These include interim management, part-time management, marketing execution, and more. Please contact us to discuss your particular situation in confidence.

Q: I am starting a business and need help developing the business concept, researching the industry, and developing a marketing plan. I have very limited funds. Will you work in exchange for equity?

A: The amount of market research that needs to go into a high quality marketing plan is extensive and time consuming. We usually work strictly on a fee-for-service basis, but in exceptional cases will discount our fees in exchange for an equity stake or percent of sales.

Q: Can you make an equity investment in my business or provide debt financing?

A: Ground Floor Partners is not a lender or private equity firm, and we do not act as an intermediary in any financial transaction. That said, we can support your search for funding in many useful ways, including market research, preparation of a business plan, development of a business presentation, and preparation and review of supporting documents.

In some cases, we can arrange introductions to qualified funding sources. All work of this nature is strictly fee-for-services without guarantee that a deal will be completed. We also work closely with other financial services firms that specialize in business valuations and investor introductions (investment banking services for small businesses).

Q: I need a business plan / marketing plan completed in a week or less.
Can you help me?

A: We are willing to go the extra mile for our clients, but we cannot complete most projects in such a short timeframe. Generally, even “straightforward” business plan, marketing plan, and market research projects take at least 2 to 3 weeks. More involved projects can require several months (or longer) to assure the high level of quality and accuracy that are essential to success.

Q: I have developed a patented product and now I need help getting it to market. Can you help me?

A: We have found that many inventors just want someone to help them "sell their product" without asking any questions. We do not work that way, since it usually leads to failure. We can help you formulate a sound go-to-market strategy first, then help you commercialize your technology product or service. If you already have a solid go-to-market plan, with real market data and analysis to back it up, we can quickly jump into the execution phase.

Q: I already have a business plan. I just need a great presentation for investors. Can you help me?

A: Yes. We frequently help entrepreneurs develop and practice concise and compelling presentations. However, we do not simply "slap together a few slides". Very few entrepreneurs ever succeed at raising capital. Poorly designed and executed presentations are a major reason why.

Q: I am an angel investor. I have invested in one or two early stage companies, and I want to find more investment opportunities. How do you structure this sort of work?

A:  If we mutually agree that Ground Floor Partners is a good fit, we then set up a Finders Fee arrangement plus a small monthly retainer to cover our expenses. Our compensation would mostly be from the Finders Fee. Note that this type of arrangement generally only makes sense if you are looking for businesses with a valuation of at least $500,000.

 

Business Strategy and Planning Consulting FAQs