Frequently Asked Questions

Every company we work for is different. And that fact is why we can provide you with a meld of best-practices. If everybody was the same you could easily go out and buy standard procedures for operating your business, or a standard tech management process. We expect you to be interested in and to uniquely know the “what and how” side of your business, or in other words, your core competency. We are interested in helping you with the invested dollar as it progresses through the business cycle.

We are experts in evaluating and making recommendations to business and technology practices and procedures. What will be most helpful to you is a fresh perspective on your operation from an organization skilled at providing companies with an outside viewpoint. This is something that many business owners and their employees find very difficult to do with their own company.

We don’t intend to run your business. We will provide you with the tools to operate your business more effectively. Typically, it is the procedural side of an operation that needs our help, not the core areas where our clients are the experts.

Complacency has destroyed more prosperous companies than any other business attitude. Very few people are ever truly satisfied with the money they are making or the level of success of their company. And they shouldn’t be if they want to continue to be successful. Are all of the departments in your business making money and contributing to the company’s success, or don’t you know?

Good management and good managers exist in every organization, even some poorly performing organizations. Unfortunately, there is a disparity between doing a job right and doing the right job. It is possible to very efficiently perform an unnecessary task. Process Analysis is a tool for good managers to examine the work flow of the current processes and identify improvement opportunities. This creates an integrated effort which enhances the performance of a good manager and removes a majority of the obstacles to great performance.

First, together, we clearly define the project, the goals, the project’s value. If the entire project cannot be clearly defined, we establish milestones to be accomplished before moving on to the next phase. Value Management Partners will quote a fixed, value-based price to attain those goals and milestones. Then together we work on it for as long as it takes to attain our goals.

We specialize in change management, organizational development, technology assessment, accounting support, process development and documentation. Some or all of these skills are required to successfully complete any merger or acquisition.

Value Management Partners has developed a program tailored to the needs of start up and small companies. We understand the needs of small developing businesses. We can help you with your business plan, marketing plan, strategies, product/service development and supply chain. We understand that you are not ready for frills but need efficient and economical solutions.

Every company, no matter what the size, has some problem areas. In any size company, there should be room for practical ideas that improve operations and make the business better.

Value Management Partners has developed an Interim “C”-level Program. We have cultivated a group of highly skilled and experienced individuals who have held CEO, CIO, CFO, COO, President, Controller, IT Director, and other high-level executive positions who specialize in working with your existing systems and teams. Interim management is the ultimate in flexible senior-management resources.

If your business goals are to purchase someone’s time at the lowest hourly rate, we may not be of any help to you. The last thing we want to happen is for you to make comparisons based on the charge per hour. Your comparison should be based on the value of our contribution. Our value is simply not conveyed by merely showing up.

Value-based fees are far better for you because they remove ethical compromises. You want cheaper rates? Use slower and less experienced people. Value Management Partners wants you to make a single Return on Investment (ROI) decision at the time of the proposal, not a new ROI decision every day or hour someone works on your issues.

We want to hear questions like:

• “How can we maximize results?”
• “Will you work on this as our partner for as long as it takes?”
• “How do we do that best?”

T&M billing causes you to hesitate to make a call or to suggest new work or tactics. A project-based billing helps you get rid of questions like:

• “What’s this costing an hour?”
• “Can you do this in fewer days?”
• “Can you do this with fewer people?”

We assess a single project fee for our work, so that there is never a “meter running,” and you can control expenses tightly. Within the objectives and parameters we both agree to, we will commit as much time as necessary to fulfill the objectives and meet your time frames. You and we may request additional time be spent on aspects of the project without any additional fees or charges.

Because consultants have skills that you do not need full time or could not afford or find on a full time basis. We work on specific issues, goals and objectives that, once implemented, our skill set may no longer be required. And if it is, we help you find, train and transfer our knowledge to your team or individual for a permanent position.

Also your employees are on the company’s payroll and controlled by your company’s policies and procedures. Because of these factors, internal resources are likely to be influenced by the very issues that may need changing.

Simple. Our work is guaranteed. If you do not believe we have met the mutually established objectives for your project, we will continue to work toward those goals with you for no additional fee or expense consideration. If, after such an additional attempt, you still believe we have not met your objectives for this project, we will refund your fees in total.

Well, e-mail is probably the best. It documents any questions, answers, problems and results. It provides an audit trail of any correspondence and removes the “I thought I told you” versus “I thought you said” problems.

But we know that sometimes issues arise and you just have to “bounce something off of one of us.” Each of us is available by phone. Each phone has voicemail capabilities. Each professional has the practice of not being more than an hour or two away from corresponding with a client! Sure, life and meetings get in the way, but we will get back to you that day. We always backup phone conversations with an e-mail.

A great deal of consulting, design, training work can be and is done off site. We live in Northeast Ohio and work around the country. Data- and tele-communications have removed all bounds to physical locations. We communicate in person and by IM, phone and e-mail. We’ve been known to catch a flight within an hour’s time to meet with a client, but our experience shows that data gathering, analysis and advice travel very well electronically. And of course, at times, that human, in-your-face exchange is still needed, useful and warranted. We’ll be there!

PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP)® credential is the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers. Globally recognized and demanded, the PMP® demonstrates that you have the experience, education and competency to successfully lead and direct projects. To be eligible for the PMP certification, you must first meet specific education and experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step in becoming a PMP is passing a multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your project management knowledge. This computer-based examination is administered globally.

In addition, those who have been granted the PMP credential must demonstrate an ongoing professional commitment to the field of project management by satisfying PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements Program.