Before arriving on-site, we ask for permission to review the past three years financial statements. Naturally, we treat this information very confidentially. We compare the client's results with other clients in the same geographical region with a similar customer mix and product mix.

We also ask that the client administer a battery of psychological tests to each manager and salesperson. When discussing these tests with employees, we suggest the following explanation: "Lee Resources is interested in how our people work together as a team. By developing a psychological profile of our entire organization, they are in a better position to recommend the talent we need to look for to create a more balanced team when hiring opportunities arise down the road."

We recommend a battery of three tests for managers and salespeople. Our fee for scoring and interpreting these psychological indexes is $192 per person.

After arriving on-site, we spend the first couple of hours with top management making sure we understand their vision for the company. We need to know what they are trying to make happen over both the short term and the long term.

We then interview each manager and salesperson. These interviews last approximately an hour and a half and are made up of several dozen open-ended questions. We're probing for opportunities for the company to enhance gross margins, reduce operating expenses, grow market share and do a better job of managing assets.

Our commitment is not to begin a Business Audit for another client until we've completed the current client's work. Therefore, our report will be delivered within ten to fourteen days. The extensive report is 20-30 single-spaced pages, and contains dozens of specific recommendations.

Investment: Bill Lee's consulting fee is $8,100 per day spent on-site, plus reasonable travel expenses. In most businesses he can do this work in two days. He does not charge for his preparation time or for the time required to prepare his report.

Phase one of a Marketing Research project usually involves extensive market research to determine the market demographics that indicate the potential for business opportunities. This includes census data, employment and wages, the value of housing, housing units by building permits, and the sale of building materials and hardware within the market. We then provide a thorough analysis of the competition to determine sales estimates, facilities, inventory levels, service capabilities, pricing analysis and public image. This analysis allows us to determine the strengths and weaknesses of all local competition and to determine those vulnerabilities that would allow for the potential penetration of the market. We conduct a thorough customer analysis to determine how builders and contractors buy, what they buy, what motivates them to buy, where they buy and what special needs could represent unfulfilled opportunities.

Our consulting report enables our clients to compete more effectively within the marketplace. It gives them a better understanding of what portion of the business they are currently earning and how they might gain additional market penetration. We help our clients determine what particular niches they should focus on to earn an optimal return on their investment.

In situations involving site planning, we begin phase two of the project. This phase includes establishing projections for the building and land requirements. If relocation is involved, we assist our clients in searching for the ideal property to the extent that they need assistance. This includes developing an analysis of the actual hard costs involved to move in the most efficient manner.

Also included in this second phase of the project is a proforma or budget for planning purposes. We assist in the development of initial capitalization requirements and business plans since these are particularly important to gain lines of credit and bank financing. We also assist in determining equipment needs and other capital requirements.

The third phase of the project often involves designing the lumberyard once the property or land requirements have been established. This includes the final facility design, specifications and specific equipment requirements. The building and warehouses will be designed in such a way as to facilitate efficient inventory receiving, handling and, of course, selling.

Norville Spearman has extensive experience conducting these types of projects. Fee structure is determined based on the scope of the project. CAD time is invoiced at cost.