The ABM Agency

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CFO and VP of east coast operations for Mission Financial, a commercial lender that offers small business loans to the transportation industry. We typically offer our services to owner-operators that drive commercial trucks.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The ABM Agency?

ABM Agency has taken control of our online portals for acquiring applications from commercial drivers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ABM Agency has helped us transform our online presence. Over the last three years, we’ve also used their services for Google Matrix and Analytics. Generally, they work to help us increase both the number of applications we receive and the number of contracts we’ve done through our online application portal. These contracts include repair loans, operating capital loans, and funding for purchases of commercial vehicles both from private parties and dealerships. 

What is the team composition?

We work with Vincent (President), Hannah K. (Digital Marketing Account Manager), and 4–5 analysts. 

How did you come to work with The ABM Agency?

Approximately 6–7 years ago, we decided to revitalize our website. We worked with a web design company to create our website, and they were in touch with ABM Agency while working on the backend. That was how we met the ABM Agency team. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent approximately $300,000 on their services over the last seven years, and that covers all the side projects we’ve done with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in September 2014, and the partnership is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We measure success based on the increase of our overall presence on the internet. So far, we’ve made great ROI off of ABM Agency. They’ve raised our online star rating to 3.8 stars from our previous rating of 1.2 stars. Currently, we’re at the top page of nationwide search results that directly relate to our businesses.

Tracking the applications that we receive from end clients, we now get 186 applications per month, which is higher than our previous rate of 2–3 applications per month. We also track our business growth that’s explicitly due to their input; they’ve grown our business to approximately  $3.6 million just through their help for our online presence. 

Moreover, the online application portal directs us better to the types of customers with whom we do business. In fact, our book ratio has greatly improved; the number of applications that we’ve turned into contracts has tripled. The rate has jumped to about 12%–13% from a small prior rate of 2%–3%. Furthermore, every other aspect of our business in which we receive applications has improved. We’ve seen the business grow across the board and applications increase in different avenues, including those that come from our nationwide network. 

How did The ABM Agency perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re extremely good at meeting direct deadlines. On top of that, they can provide insights that members of our marketing department, including myself, haven’t thought to put online. Their team keeps us updated through a monthly meeting, where we go over everything that has transpired during the previous month. Throughout the engagement, we’re in constant contact with them, thanks to their initiative in reaching out to us. Overall, I highly rate them on their communication skills.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve helped us grow and solidify ourselves as an authority in the commercial lending marketplace. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

To companies that want to use ABM Agency’s services, it’s great to let them gain knowledge of your industry. This will let you set goals properly while allowing them to work well within your parameters. 

For instance, at the beginning of our work, we’ve sent them a lot of information that pertains to our industry. As a result, they’ve become experts in our field.