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 need help with my business, but the services I need do not neatly fit into any of the categories listed in your website. Can you still help me?

A: If your company can benefit from a team of talented management consultants who have extensive experience working with small and middle market businesses, then Ground Floor Partners is likely to be a good fit. Give us a call during business hours and we will be happy to discuss your situation at no charge.

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. 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: I am starting a business and need help developing the business concept, researching the industry, and developing a marketing plan à MP. 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.

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 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 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.

 

Ground Floor Partners FAQs