The Profit System is the process delivering maximum return on investment. We work with management to implement enhanced business management processes that result in improved business performance and a significant increase in profits. Our most recent project with a retailer resulted in annual sales and profits more then quadrupling in less than 24 months.

Growing revenue profitably involves programs to maximize the value of current customers and developing new customers. Achieving those two goals involves using the right business development tools and techniques for your business. We have found many of our clients prefer to outsource certain of the administrative tasks often required as part of the revenue building programs implemented. Regardless of whether we do them, they are done in-house or outsourced to another business, they need to be done in order to achieve the customer service and business development objectives. Total Marketing Solutions, Inc. was established to assist with this process.

The primary difference between our small business consulting practice and our services to larger companies is where we do the work. Generally, we are able to work with smaller companies remote to their location which reduces travel time and cost. There are no short cuts in the process of assisting our small business clients.

The right information delivered when needed is one of the foundation tools for achieving business goals. This is particularly true for those goals related to revenue, margin and profit improvement. In most cases we find the structure for accumulating and reporting required information is there but is not being used to its full potential. Often we find the controls over data to be inadequate. We partner with experts who strengthen information systems when required. Our partners, like us, are focused on practical solutions where the is a solid return on investment.

You don't need a consultant to tell you inventory management is the lifeblood of every retailer. This area has far reaching consequences and is tracked using inventory turnover, realized gross margin, sales per square foot, contribution margin per square foot and other metrics. We are advocates of key reporting indicators. Beyond that posture, we have a practical eye for identifying the true key success factors for your business. For example in the age where the increased use of technology is the norm, we find the attention to employees who really make the difference is often lacking. In fact, incentive programs, employee recognition programs and positive employee relationships are often topics for magazine reports and not much more. Sure we want you to track the right information. We also want you to have the best programs for your business that achieve targeted sell through rates and realized gross margin.

When you read the stories of the mega mergers reported by the business press, you might conclude they should be banned. Looking at the HP acquisition of Compaq and Morgan Stanley's Acquisition of the Discover Card business and. of course, the acquisition of AOL by Timer Warner, you would think that no deal will work. Well, there are a lot of successful mergers and acquisitions. They are simply under the radar screen. If you are approached to be acquired or are thinking of selling you owe it to yourself to call me. I have extensive experience acquiring companies so I can help you evaluate what your company could be worth to a buyer. If you are a buyer then not only do we need to look at purchase price but also the synergies and the integration strategy.

The business plan for purposes of this section is defined as the one you need for a bank  investor group in connection with a loan, line of credit, acquisition or possibly in connection with your communication with investors. The business plans I assist clients in preparing are focused on the core values of the business and how those core values will be enhanced by the way the company is managed. Of course business plans need to present historical financial information and projections. They also should present a practical picture of the market landscape including, competition and favorable trends. They need to be written with intended end reader in mind. Generally, that read or readership group is known and will provide a list of key sections of the business plan they are expecting. Once known, those expectations should be met. Business plans prepared with the assistance of an reputable third part like Exec Net Consulting have more credibility. Often I am the lead when presenting business plans.

There are all types of financing including asset secured loans, asset based lines of credit, factoring arrangements, real estate mortgages and more. Once you move past loans that are secured by valuable hard assets like, inventory, accounts receivable, real estate and personal assets, generally you are looking at financing that has a higher than average interest. rate. So the familiar advice that you should secure a loan when you don't need it is sound. When you are low on liquidity and need liquidity you will pay the most money for it if you can get a loan at all. Every lender is going to want many of the components of the business plan mentioned above.  It is very common for me to assist clients with the presentation of information required by lenders.

The following is a partial list of areas where we have helped clients:

• Recruiting
• Web site hosting and internet marketing
• Recommending legal, accounting and tax services
• Negotiating the sale of a business and tracking compliance with terms.
• Arranging the introduction of lenders.