Designed exclusively for owner-operators of closely-held business, the Project Mentor and The Sounding Board programs will help turn your vision into your reality. By adding structure, collaboration, and guidance when and where you need it, you'll get there sooner, safer, and in all likelihood, have more fun along the way!
If you sense that your vision needs refinement before you’re ready to proceed, the Project Mentor program might be just what you need. It’s designed to help you turn a fuzzy vision into a focused step-by-step process that will create the results you want! Ron can help you think through the entire process: what you intend to achieve; what you have to work with; how you're going to get there; and when you'll make it all happen. Together you'll identify core objectives, pitfalls, milestones, and imperatives. You'll assess approaches, identify resources, and create an appropriately detailed action plan using the resources you actually have.
This is no pie-in-the-sky process. You'll be enlisting Ron's depth of experience, systematic approach, and creative genius. But be forewarned. This approach is not for everyone or for every project. Admission is limited and by application only. You and Ron must agree that the program is appropriate for you and your project. If it isn’t, your application fee is promptly returned.
The Project Mentor program is divided into four components:
1. Screening and Admission Your vision and values are discussed with Ron and a statement of your perceived needs are reviewed to insure that the program will fit your needs and that your vision is ready for the program. There is no fee for this stage of the program, but to limit the applicants to serious inquiries only, a $500 fee for Assessment and Fact Finding must be submitted with the application.
2. Assessment and Fact Finding The goals, objectives, intended outcomes, available resources, time-line, strategic approaches, alternatives, and overall risk assessment are reviewed and discussed. A determination of the program’s scope, duration, total fees and terms are finalized. The initial $500 submitted with the application is payment for completion of the Assessment and Fact Finding phase.
3. Detailed Action Planning Using Ron’s systematic approach and his guidance, you will create strategically appropriate and adequately detailed project action plan including the identification of your intended outcomes, operational imperatives, risk assessment, key milestones, a work schedule, resource requirements, funding requirements, and other elements depending on the project’s scope and complexity. Action plans can and should vary greatly: each business owner has varying degrees of planning skills; there are no two business projects alike: nor is there any perfect text-book approach. Consequently this stage of the program ranges in time to complete and your required investment will range accordingly, but within the confines established during the Assessment and Fact Finding phase.
4. Implementation Review and Confers To keep your project on track and on-time you’ll have access to Ron for periodic progress reviews as determined in the Detailed Action Planning phase. Business owners who benefit from more structure may schedule formal contact times to discuss progress, obstacles, and performance. Others choose to contact Ron only as-needed.
Together you'll build a realistic plan that uses the resources you actually have to work with right now. Ron will be with you every step of the way, helping you focus effort on actions that move your business forward.
If you're invoking change, growth, or business critical initiatives, Ron's pragmatic objectivity and systematic approach added to your determination and experience creates a winning combination!
It's easy to lose sight of your vision while you're dealing with the inevitable urgencies of the day. Who's watching the horizon? Adjusting your tactics? Assessing your strategies? To maximize success, the effective business leader manages in both the short- and the long-term. Tomorrow's success is created today.
The Sounding Board program helps you systematically identify business imperatives, provides an objective view for your decisions, adds a creative voice when problem-solving, and helps keep your actions strategically focused. After an initial interview and acceptance into the program, Ron is continuously on call and the frequency of contact is completely up to you. Some clients call weekly, reviewing achievements, challenges, or asking Ron to weigh in on their decisions. Others prefer monthly conversations, reviewing key objectives and assessing their options. A few clients just like to keep Ron at the ready: his sage advice, objectivity, depth of experience, and intuitive business sense always available when they need it.
The initial interview consists of a written questionnaire and a fact-finding telephone discussion with Ron. You’ll discuss your vision, values, current situation, and any on-going challenges. The more information Ron has about your business and your vision of the future, the more he can help sharpen your focus, identify key priorities, and help you create the measurable progress you’re looking for. During this process you’ll decide together if the program is right for you. If you choose not to proceed or if you are not accepted into the program for any reason, the $99 application fee is fully refunded.
Upon acceptance, you’ll set up a telephone appointment with Ron to discuss your program needs in detail. Together you’ll identify the specific goals and the key objectives you intend to achieve. You’ll select a participation term that’s right for you, from thirty days to a year, and choose a payment plan for your term and size of business. From that point forward Ron is on your team, acting as advisor, coach, and confidant. Whenever you need him he’s as close as your phone and email, helping you solve problems, identify alternatives, and prioritizing your efforts. There’s no limit to the number of calls or emails you can make. The frequency of contact is completely up to you. Calls are typically returned within an hour or two and email is replied to within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). When it is mutually convenient, Ron prefers to meet in person.
Two heads really are better than one. Ron can't run your business or direct your career, but by adding his creative genius, pragmatic objectivity, and systematic approach to your vision and determination, you've got a winning combination!
"In these tough economic times, there just could not be a better speaker or business consultant to help you get out of the ditch or up to the next level.
Time and time again over his career, Ron was thrown into tough business situations and through resourcefulness, drive, and an unrelenting belief in a positive outcome, he prevailed.
Best of all, he knows how to work from where you are right NOW with what you've got ON HAND to begin to move you forward.
In this economy, I want Ron Black on my team."
Bill Metcalf (708) 386-5010
J. Sawner, Ed Options an in-depth interview conducted by Bill Metcalf describing Ron's entrepreneurial skill, core values, competencies, and relentless approach to business success. (17:36)
C. Duncan, of Quidel Medical Diagnostics comments on the usefulness
of Ron's project management methods (0:58)