Feedback: January 2017

Question: What is a lesson learned from 2016 that you anticipate using to your business’s benefit in 2017?

Tom Beyer

President and CEO
Beyer Management Consulting, Inc.
Sector: Management Consulting

Strategically, the “total product solution” must be a primary part of the planning process. Total solution is more than the features and benefits of a product or service. Total solution includes the entire process. For example, if a person buys a home, the total solution includes the entire purchase experience. The search, offer and counter offer, financing, inspection, appraisal, walk through, renegotiation, HOA, taxes signing, closing, and moving are all sub processes within the entire experience.

The company that wins is the one that aligns all the sub-processes to deliver the best experience for the customer, regardless of where they make their money in the process. A willingness to accept this view and utilize technology to bring everyone together will create the winners of tomorrow. The lesson: All revenue planning should begin with the question, “What is the end game for the customer and therefore what is the total product/service solution?”

Since 1988, Beyer Management Consulting, Inc. has been advising senior management of companies, lenders and private investors on strategies, establishing revenue models and the application of corresponding tactics resulting in sustainable profits and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.

Jack Eberenz

Chairman of the Board
Precision Door Service
Sector: Home Repair

Strategic relationships with capital sources, political and national business contacts will be even more important in 2017. Franchising has been a vital growing part of the U.S. economy for many years, but government interference in labor issues from unionizing to minimum wage are straining the resources of franchise companies.

Franchising is the chance for many people to reach the American dream through business ownership. As leaders in this business-generating system, we need to step forward politically and with a strong business voice to make sure people understand the value that 14 percent of the private sector economy contributes to protect the future for thousands of business owners and their employees.

Jack Eberenz is a nationally known business consultant concentrating in multi-unit growth. He is chairman of the board of Precision Door Service and has more than 40 years of business consulting (Franchise Integration) experience. He is often identified by his tag line “If someone says, ‘Franchising,’ you say, ‘Call Jack.’”