The Russell Strategy Group

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founder and Principal ar Trucon Communications

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Russell Consulting Group?

A company management, products, structure and profitability review.

SOLUTION

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

Based on Russell Consulting experience and my personal interaction with John Russell, I felt like he was the most trusted consultant in my sphere of associates.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

The business review was done through a series of personal interviews and a thorough questionnaire that required me to explain Trucon's processes and constraints to profitabily growth.

1. The first stage was investigation.
2. The second stage was review and analysis by Russell Consulting.
3. The third stage involved implementation of the recommended process, planning, and budget objectives.
4. The fourth stage has involved interaction and course corrections via reporting and monitoring from Russell Consulting.

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

The primary resource was John R. The project also received input from John's partner on some sales and operations metrics.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One of the primary course changes was to step away from providing outsourced sales services and move Trucon into a professional sales speaking, training and consulting service provider.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Rsussel Consulting was very accomodating where involved my scheduling and workflow.

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

Russell's real business experience and attention to detail were important to me. Having an objective eye to peer into your business can be a critical path to opening up growth opportunities.

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

The Russell Consulting Group accomplished our agreement and acted within the scope and timeframe of my expectations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and owner of Mad Scientist Market, a nationwide wholesale art glass distributor. We’re a B2B company with a well-established market, so we’re not looking for retail customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Russell Consulting Group?

We needed help with managing growth. We purchased inventory software, but we were completely dissatisfied with it. Trying to implement it was a significant loss of revenue for six weeks.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The Russel Consulting Group provides a wide range of services, mainly business consultation in general. First, they did an in-depth analysis, interviewing some key employees and gathering information on finances, operations, and the vision and plans for the future. They put together an extensive 30-page report that covered team building and marketing suggestions. It seemed to support the business owner in general with an eye toward exit strategies, continued and expanded growth, maximizing potential, and eventual exit strategies. Overall, it was pretty full service from a high-level management perspective.

They offer suggestions for marketing and branding, but we haven’t taken much advantage of that area. More importantly, they have an extensive network of professionals that are very useful to us. We initially didn’t have an established relationship with a reputable IT company, an accountant, or an attorney. Shortly after we engaged with them, we’d planned to move into a new warehouse, and they knew a real estate broker. That was very helpful because if you don’t know people to do these professional services, you’re in the dark.

Our struggle right now is inventory management and team building. They’re currently looking into CRM software for external relationships. We’re not ready to turn around and do it again, but it’ll hopefully be much smoother. Nonetheless, we look forward to using them when we’re ready. We’ll rely on them for their advice and recommendations to find something functional that wasn’t built in the 1990s.

What is the team composition?

We work with John (Principal Advisor).

How did you come to work with The Russell Consulting Group?

I searched on Google for consultants and came up with John and another company. However, they weren’t local, which was one of the factors in deciding to go with The Russell Consulting Group. Also, John’s background was well-rounded — it was evident that his experience lent a lot to what he had to offer.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $13,000–$14,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2021, and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve grown hugely since engaging with them. We’ve moved into a warehouse, doubled our staff, and our sales are on their way to doubling, which is the goal. Also, we’re gearing up with new facilities and new people. In summary, they help us manage our growth. 

Moreover, we feel heard and supported. The Russell Consulting Group comes up with suggestions when we’re stuck. We got the initial report, and we refer back to it to identify the progress we’ve made because it included milestones and advice going forward. Also, they’re going over something right now, and we should get a report that shows the progress we’ve made in the last year. We’re really looking forward to it.

Additionally, systems and processes need to be in place so it’s not all dependent on people or one person. I started this as a one-person operation, and they push me to put time into it when I feel like I don’t have time because it’s crucial to have these things in writing, understood by everybody, and uniformly followed.

How did The Russell Consulting Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very responsive. We communicate via phone calls, text, and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a good understanding of what we have going on. The team thinks more corporately than us; we explain our position and why we might not go as far as what they suggest. However, they’re open to hearing us, understanding our perspective, and doing it differently. The Russell Consulting Group has a good grasp of business and the elements needed to help it stay alive and grow.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I care a lot about grammar, and there were some grammatical errors in the report. It took away from the professionalism, but it didn’t take away from the deliverable.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’ll take time. You have to be willing to think about what they’re asking for upfront and give them good, solid information to work with. Respect what they have to say and put it to work for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO Buildaligned, a roofing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Russell Consulting Group?

We hired The Russell Consulting Group to help us build our business correctly and profitably.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We've turned over some financial information to them and answered a questionnaire regarding our business. The Russell Consulting Group has also checked if our financials are in order. After that, they've helped us go over our business plans and strategies. They've also talked about different ideas, discussing if they're worth pursuing or not. The team continues to provide the same services to our company.

What is the team composition?

We only work with John (Principal Advisor).

How did you come to work with The Russell Consulting Group?

The owner of the company approached me at a business networking event. We sat down and talked, and he understood the business challenges that I was facing. In addition, he knew how to take my business to the next level, so it made sense to partner with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing partnership with The Russell Consulting Group began in June 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When we first started, the revenue of the company was around $400,000, but the profitability was just above zero. Currently, our revenue is now over $2 million and the profitability is close to $400,000.

How did The Russell Consulting Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a great project management process. We communicate with The Russell Consulting Group through emails, phone calls, text messages, and in-person meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to understand our business because of their wealth of experience has been impressive. They’ve also been able to bring different parties and clients to the table, which has helped us build our business.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m not really sure what areas they can improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just do your research and figure out if The Russell Consulting Group is a good fit beforehand. If they’re a good fit, you should take the advice that they will give.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Way Finder Insurance and Financial LLC. Health, Life, Medicare insurance for small businesses. I am the owner

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Russell Consulting Group?

We hired him for advise and assistance with writing a business plan, policy, and procedures.

SOLUTION

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

We were referred to him from another business owner.

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

I told him that I was looking for someone to help me write a business plan and coach through some of the processes in order to get my business growing and moving in the right direction. He offered me three levels of service and I chose the middle one.

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

3 of them. 1 was a financial advisor that had built their business in a way that mirrored what I wanted to do. 1 was a printing business that I used for some promotional materials and the other was internet marketing consultant

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The plan we wrote helped me get clarity around my business goals and helped me take the next steps to level up my business.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was always very smooth.

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

That they have been around, have good reviews, and I was able to find background information online about the owner.

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

nope

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the principal attorney of a boutique law firm in Austin, TX.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire The Russell Consulting Group?

We hired John Russell to help take our business to the next level. Specifically, John consults with our business on marketing, HR,, business strategy, and other matters.

SOLUTION

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

John has an excellent reputation among the Austin business community.

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

We meet weekly to discuss our business goals and strategy. John has also facilitated sessions at our annual company retreat. He has also worked with employees one-on-one.

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

Our main point of contact is John.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With John's help, my firm has grown from a small solo practice to a thriving multi-attorney practice with numerous employees and clients across Texas.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

John makes everything seamless.

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

They have a wealth of business expertise that has been extremely valuable to me and my firm.

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

No.