SME Strategy Consulting INC

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Vice President of U.S. Operations for West Power Energy, a full service and multi-disciplined consulting engineering firm with primary specialization in power generation, transmission, distribution, and substation design. Responsible for the daily operations and strategic direction, performance, growth and company culture for West Power's business in the United States.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SME Strategy Consulting INC?

Our company has been rapidly growing and as a small business, were in desperate need of a business strategy and destination for our firm to align our business objectives, where to make investments, create a Vision and Mission and communicate all of this to our employees and clients on who we are and where we are headed.

SOLUTION

How did you select this firm and what were the deciding factors?

It was decided that this meeting would take place in our Burnaby, B.C. office and as such, we were looking at a variety of firms both in the United States and Canada to support and facilitate our session(s).

After a number of interviews with potential partners to consider to take this journey with and considering proximity of the firm to our proposed off-site location, SME Strategy Consulting prevailed. Deciding factors included experience, chemistry with the proposed facilitator, ability to do the meeting in person, and cost.

Describe the project in detail and walk through their service package.

This was a 2-day intensive business strategy session where SME Strategy provided strategy guidance and facilitation to our leadership team to develop an overall 3-year business strategy encompassing a Vision, Mission, and Strategic Objectives with Goals.

SME Strategy facilitated and guided our team over those 2 days in a regimented process to draw out the most from our leadership team to get us to a point where we were clear on what we wanted to accomplish and how we intended to get there.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

One (1) resource from SME Strategy worked with us and their position is Managing Partner with the firm.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the engagement that demonstrate progress or success?

The 2-days resulted in a Strategic Plan with clear Vision, Mission, Values and Strategic Priorities for the next 3 years for our firm. Additionally, outcomes included a SWOT analysis and goals session that would feed into how to be successful with the Strategic Initiatives.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. There was great engagement from both sides and having an independent person facilitate the session allowed each leadership team member participate fully. SME Strategy pushed our team to draw the best out of them to ensure that at the end of the session we had a well rounded Strategic Plan with little uncertainty and everyone's voice was heard.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

SME Strategy and specifically, Anthony, has great energy and there is some psychology involved with not only going thru the process with a leadership team that he doesn't know to a great degree, and engaging them when they are quiet, working thru the more challenging aspects of items that may be uncomfortable as a team is being honest with itself, and having a sense of humor with a process that can be intense and mentally challenging.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

There was an instance where the owner of the company was struggling with the afternoon process on Day 1, and specifically, a time where we were answering questions like "What do we do?". There was some noticeable frustration followed by verbal frustration as well which can be expected as a leadership team is honest with itself and also for the first time going thru such an intense process.

It was handled with care from SME Strategy, and the only constructive feedback I would provide, is in those moments, try to not make it about you or maybe an attack on the process, but understand that for people going thru this the first time, particularly for a small business that has increased it's leadership team by 500% in the last 18 months, that there will be some skepticism and things will be challenged, and try to gracefully work thru that as much as possible.

It was worked thru, but not without some really uncomfortable moments, including going from a feeling of "we are in this together" to a series of events and push back on the end of the first day, where there was a feeling that all that trust that was built, felt dismantled.

West Power Energy could have handled the situation differently, and encourage SME to understand this is tough, and don't take it personally, just a person or team unfamiliar with the process and the uncomfortable things that come out of these sessions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Director / CEO of Industrial Fasteners Institute

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a trade association that represents manufacturers of fasteners throughout North America.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SME Strategy Consulting INC to accomplish?

• 3-year strategic plan

SOLUTION

How did you find SME Strategy Consulting INC?

Online Search

Why did you select SME Strategy Consulting INC over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from SME Strategy Consulting INC were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Strategic planning via teleconference and in-person workshop to lay out a 3-year plan for our association.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have adopted our 3-year plan and are in year 1, making great progress.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Everything was delivered on time and on budget.

What was your primary form of communication with SME Strategy Consulting INC?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Anthony has a way of driving to the heart of the matter.  He was able to gather the feedback from our planning committee and turn that feedback into an actionable plan.

Are there any areas for improvement or something SME Strategy Consulting INC could have done differently?

Nothing from my perspective.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the EVP of a chemicals & biotechnology company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Manufacturing Services

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SME Strategy Consulting INC to accomplish?

• Facilitation of Strategy Discussion
• Keeping pace of implementation

SOLUTION

How did you find SME Strategy Consulting INC?

Referral

Why did you select SME Strategy Consulting INC over others?

Pricing fit our budget

How many teammates from SME Strategy Consulting INC were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Facilitation of Strategy Discussion, 1 pager of strategy, implementation pace-keeping

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have streamlined the company-wide projects into a managable number, and they are either running, or have been reviewed and changed. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes, very fit for our purpose.  Not pushing solutions but focusing on facilitation, which we very much need to draw out content from the members and fuse together, all in a productive way.

What was your primary form of communication with SME Strategy Consulting INC?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I'm impressed by their facilitation skills.

Are there any areas for improvement or something SME Strategy Consulting INC could have done differently?

None that I can think of

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the GM/COO of Jericho Tennis Club

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Private Racquets Club w/over 3k members, and a 10yr+ waitlist.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire SME Strategy Consulting INC to accomplish?

• To make sure our board is aligned with their vision
• To assist in planning and preparing our strategic Plan
• To work with a new GM to work with his board to meet deliverables.

SOLUTION

How did you find SME Strategy Consulting INC?

Referral

Why did you select SME Strategy Consulting INC over others?

• High ratings
• Referred to me

How many teammates from SME Strategy Consulting INC were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Jericho Tennis Club is a prviate members only Racquets club, SEM was hired to assist with 2024-2027 Strategic Planning for the club. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Building out our Strategic Proprties, 
• Strategic Goals and timelines and metrics around both 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Yes delivered evertyhing on time and in very good detail. 

What was your primary form of communication with SME Strategy Consulting INC?

In-Person Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Very agile and receptive. They're able to direct and steer us in the right way. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something SME Strategy Consulting INC could have done differently?

As of now, nothing really, more of the aspects fall to us as the club. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the President of CIMA, our industry trade association.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire SME Strategy Consulting INC?

SME was hired to help us develop a cohesive strategic direction for our association.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

SME was recommended to our Executive Director.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Initial work was a member survey followed by a conference call with the Association Board of Directors. A series of 5 weekly 3-hour sessions developed our Strategic Plan with succinct focus, timelines and KPIs.

What was the team composition?

The team was with representatives from the majority of the manufacturing members and the association Executive Director.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We eventually reached a strong consensus on three primary strategic initiatives that will develop a strong foundation to build for our mutual success and future planning.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Although due to circumstances, our sessions were all virtual. The workflow worked extremely well.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The individuals at SME quickly learned the general issues facing our association. They make-up of the members and guided us to focusing on our three primary initial initiatives.

Is there any area for improvementz or anything that could have been done differently?

Three-hour virtual video conferences seemed particularly long with only one 10-minute break. The break should have been longer to allow the participants to catch up on other responsibilities.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Child Development Institute is a Children’s mental health charity

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with the vendor?

Strategic plan/leadership

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

They were our consultants. They facilitated our strategic planning process twice, provided leadership team coaching as well as regular stakeholder engagement and leadership training. 

What is the team composition? 

9 senior leadership members

How did you come to work with the vendor?

RFQ

What is the status of this engagement?

We are no longer working with SME

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We are now working better as a team, as the leadership at our agency, as well as succeeding in our strategic plan.

How did the vendor perform from a project management standpoint?

SME was incredibly flexible in working with us as a team as well as through individualized session work.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was incredibly impressed with SME Strategy. The SME Team challenged us while supporting us in our learning. They moved us forward in leadership as a team. At the same time, they were able to clarify our strategic goals and created a tangible framework.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.