Common Questions Owners Ask Before Getting Business Help

These are real client questions our Business Advisors get asked when working with Owners.

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Choosing a business advisor is a big decision, and it usually comes with a lot of practical questions. Business owners want to understand how the work actually happens, what’s expected of them, and whether the relationship will lead to real, lasting progress. At The Resultants, our Business Advisors work side by side with owners, helping turn priorities into consistent action.

In this FAQ, our Business Advisors answer the questions we hear most often, sharing straightforward insight to help you decide whether a partnership with us is the right fit for you.

Q: What kind of companies do The Resultants usually work with?

A: We work with growth-oriented, privately held small to midsize businesses that have a reasonably healthy balance sheet and the capacity to work on the business (not just in it). That includes companies with an established leadership team, as well as owner-operator who are ready to build a leadership team and implement a strong operating system to support the next stage of growth.

Q: How long does the process usually take?

A: On average, clients are with us for about 3 years before “graduating” to running their Business Operating System independently. Some clients choose to keep us on longer as they evolve to the next level and experience new challenges, higher ROI, and greater success.

Q: How can I trust The Resultants with the business I have spent years building?

A: It can be daunting to let someone into your company, especially when change is needed. But at The Resultants, we hold a deep respect for our clients and their businesses, some of which have taken a lifetime to build. Since 1999 we’ve been earning our clients’ trust and building a reputation of success. When we partner with you, we’re in it for the long-haul to help you thrive.

Q: What is expected of me in terms of time and involvement?

A: Our most successful clients are owners and leaders who are coachable: willing to show up, try new things, and learn new ways of approaching business management. Your continuous involvement is key to your success, but don’t worry - we won’t overload you with busywork. Expect regular meetings and hands-on work digging into business operations to make your organization more efficient than ever.

Q: With the economy feeling a bit shaky, is now the right time to invest in a partnership?

A: Business goes on in all different kinds of environments. We’ve worked with clients through upturns, downturns, and the unknown. We provide you with the tools and systems to build the right structure and team, and this groundwork will allow you to successfully pivot and adapt to whatever comes your way.

Q: How can I afford to bring in help with my business?

A: How can you afford NOT to? The Resultants bring decades of experience and a proven process to help you grow and scale. Look at our services as a percentage of your revenue and make the nominal investment to transform your business. We’ll help you set the foundation for a healthy business that continues to deliver a return for years to come.

Q: My company/product is very niche. Will The Resultants be able to help me?

A: While the products may differ, the components of successful business operating systems hold strong across industries. When you partner with us, you’ll have a talented team around you and access to helpful resources such as content from trusted business leaders, solid advice from subject-matter experts, and peer groups. We might not know how to build your widget, but we have the tools, resources, and facilitation magic to help you make widgets better than ever before!

Q: Owning a business isn’t what I expected. Is that normal?

A: It’s more common than you think. It helps to remember that your company is an asset to grow, not a business to manage; done successfully, it isn’t supposed to feel like a job forever. Our Business Advisors function as a “head coach,” working with owners 1:1 to assist them in identifying the issues and opportunities, delegate business operations to a well-developed team, and get out from under the day to day details of business management.

Q: My situation is complicated: I’ve had a business partner for 15 years and want to pass along my half of the company to my son/daughter. How can The Resultants help?

A: Owners often feel like their situation is too complex for anyone to coach or advise them through. The good news is that we help owners navigate all kinds of problems — from the complexities of competing goals, to operating agreements (or lack of them), to next generation planning. We also have trusted referral partners and resources available to assist with a variety of professional needs.

Q: I already know everything about running a business operating system. I’ve read all the books and have been in professional development for many years. Why do I need The Resultants?

A: Reading and “knowing” is a lot easier than applying, executing, and implementing. If it was just about knowing, we wouldn’t need professionals in any field (dentists, car mechanics, wealth managers, tax preparers, etc.)! However, we love to work with companies who have experience with and understand the concept of an operating system.

Q: Does my business really need this kind of “intensive engagement”?

A: As General Patton would say, “A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." Our focused engagement requires consistent interaction - either with the leaders of your organization, or (if you’re an owner-operator) with you and the key people you’re developing into leaders. This allows us to bring strategy to life, as opposed to putting it in a three-ring binder to gather dust on a shelf!

Q: Is this going to require even more meetings?

A: Actually, most of our clients find it’s the same number of meetings, and sometimes less. This is because most meetings held in organizations are ineffective—they have no agenda or structure, no actions, no accountability. When we come in, we focus on quality over quantity; our meetings are going to streamline your decision-making and eliminate all the ad hoc hallway meetings that leave people out of the loop and create chaos.

Q: Can you really help me not feel handcuffed to the bank or my business?

A: Yes! Owner freedom goes hand in hand with financial freedom, and our Business Advisors understand that one of the ways to gain financial freedom is to build a leadership team that has the tools to function with or without you. So, whether your definition of freedom means enjoying afternoons on the golf course, having the money to buy another business, or leaving a legacy with a philanthropic effort, The Resultants can help you get there.

Q: Can you help my leadership team enjoy working with one another?

A: Absolutely. Your team health is one of the most important keys to your business’s success, and improving poor team health requires consistent behavioral changes that often need a specialized coach to lead teams through. That’s where we come in. We are experienced in helping owners identify who is (and who isn’t) a good fit for your culture. While our Business Advisors will make the observations and ask the important questions, it is the business owner or leader who ultimately has to make those decisions.

Q: Who should be involved at the Leadership Team level and why?

A: At a minimum, all areas of the “Three-Legged Stool” should be represented: Sales/Marketing, Operation/Production, and Administration/Finance. Depending on the size and industry of the organization, leadership teams may include additional functional leadership as needed in the best interest of the organization (strategic HR, IT/Technology, Purchasing/Supply Chain, Inventory Management, etc.).

Q: How are The Resultants different from other business coaches out there?

A: The Resultants are different because we focus on the A.R.T of Business:

1. Accountability: We increase accountability through frequency of interaction and depth of relationships.

2. Results: We achieve results with proven, documentable performance and tracked data.

3. Teams: We help build high-performing teams with healthy, core values-based cultures.

Furthermore, our clients see us as The Team Behind Their Team™. We aim to improve the lives of entrepreneurial leaders, their teams, and their families. We take a holistic approach using The Resultants Accelerate Your Business™ Process and the Value Builder System™ to ensure that the most optimal outcomes are achieved.

Q: What is a Client Account Manager (CAM), and how do they support our work together?

A: For clients who already have a leadership team, our Client Account Managers (CAMs) are the “easy button”, enabling teams to adopt and utilize the core tools of the Business Operating System quickly and effectively. They manage logistics and materials, and capture outputs of our full-day planning sessions to create a seamless experience for the team to begin execution.

Q: What does working with The Resultants actually look like week-to-week and quarter-to-quarter?

A: Our work together is focused on building a strong foundation for your company by focusing on these three components: People, Plan, and Execution.  Together we will get the right people and roles aligned, create a clear plan (your Playbook), and establish the operating rhythm to execute it. From there, we meet weekly to drive accountability by solving issues, making decisions, and capitalizing on opportunities in real time. Every quarter we review progress, refine priorities, and reset your plan for the next 90 days. Annually, we revisit the long-range vision and plan for the next stage of growth.

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Got More Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

Questions are part of the process, and they don’t always fit neatly into a list. If there’s something you’re still wondering about after reading through these FAQs, one of our Business Advisors would be glad to talk it through with you. Reach out to start a conversation. Asking honest questions is often where meaningful progress begins.