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Frequently Asked Questions | ||||||||||||||||
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Skim through these questions and see if it helps you. More questions, contact
us at 815 455 1165 or info@tropos.biz.
You've constantly used the phrase "help you." What do you mean? Don't you do anything? We are not a group who comes in and attempts to implement a complicated process, collect a large fee, and leave you with plans or systems that your people don’t believe in. We're all about results. We help you take your business where you want to take it by discovering what’s getting in the way and then developing your staff to overcome the obstacles to success as they never have before. So you see - Consider the following table that compares the expert consulting approach to our facilitated development approach:
You use the word "development." Aren't you a training company? Actually, no. There is a subtle distinction between training / education and what we do. Training entails imparting new skills or knowledge to the person, perhaps through some combination of lecture, reading, demonstration, and/or hands on. Most often, these training sessions occur over a concentrated period of time (e.g. 4 hours, 1 - 3 days, 1 week, etc.). Unless these new skills are immediately implemented, over 90% of the information is forgotten and never used in your business. That's not an effective way to spend your money! Think of development as building the person - getting the person to better use the skills and knowledge they already have. It's turning potential into performance. We help the person transition to a new, improved state over time. Each week we meet, the person internalizes some new element and/or reinforces some element to ensure it becomes a life-long change. If you think of the three ingredients we cover - goal setting and achieving, interpersonal skills, and attitudes - and the millions of books, cassettes, seminars, et cetera that were sold on these subjects, you would think everyone would have their act together. But they don't! Why not? Because the training concept doesn't work for these ingredients!!! Except in a few instances, habits don't change overnight. The new habit must be internalized over time. That's development! The result is a lasting improvement. Now that's an effective way to spend your money! Furthermore, the participants will be working on goals that will move your organization in a positive direction. We don't have a "development" budget. Where does the money come from? Training? Consulting? It doesn't really matter. It's an investment that you'll get back multiple times over. Why should I hire a consultant? When a piece of equipment is not working properly, you fix it. If you want to enhance the equipment to perform a new function, you modify it. If you don't have the expertise in house, you contract out for that expertise. I'd expect the same is true if you need to improve or fix your organization. Since most small to medium-sized organizations do not have the necessary expertise in house, it only makes sense to contract with an outside consultant to provide that expertise. Even many large companies do not have the specific expertise they need to make these types of improvements. Many are. Large consulting firms with high overheads charge their clients 4 - 10 times what you might pay an employee with similar skills. TROPOS Success Systems, with its low overhead structure, is able to charge hourly rates up to 60% lower, and in some cases, up to 80% lower than many other consulting companies. With TROPOS Success Systems, you get the experience of the big guns at the rates of the little guns. Many consulting firms also have large benches that they must keep billable to stay profitable; therefore, they expect to load the project with their people. TROPOS Success Systems generally assigns one consultant to a project, and will only assign more if there is a client need. Are rates the only factor that make consultants expensive? Consultants are really expensive when you spend your money and get nothing for it. This will not be the case with TROPOS Success Systems. We ensure:
We expect that the benefits you derive from the project will exceed its cost. How else can I control the cost of a project with consultants? Many consulting firms work on a Time and Material basis, providing budgetary estimates that are usually exceeded. The meter is running whenever you're talking to them. At TROPOS Success Systems, we clearly define the project and provide a fixed price quote - no hidden charges. We don't have a meter. We have seen consulting engagements that produced volumes with no real results (literally - (25) two-inch binders of useless information that no one ever read) . That's why our services are designed to produce actionable results. TROPOS Success Systems ensures the right solution for the right goal, management commitment, employee involvement, realistic results, and a plan to move through the next step. TROPOS Success Systems has the experience to help you through these trying times. Our most valued contribution is helping set merger goals and planning what needs to be done. We also help consolidate business processes and systems and help with change management.
Our XXX will be on medical leave for
several months. Can you provide someone to fill in? TROPOS Success Systems does not directly provide that type of consulting assistance. However, we have formed relationships with many excellent organizations that can provide different types of expertise. As examples - energy audits, marketing programs, web design and creation, financial officers, new product development processes, et cetera. Additionally, our contacts include permanent and temporary placement firms. Just ask us. TROPOS Success Systems provides a process to specifically develop your sales people. TROPOS Success Systems has developed services specifically designed to meet the challenges of the small business start-up. Additionally, we customize these services to address only what need, so we can charge an affordable price. Good business practices and positive behaviors apply regardless of the company size or industry.
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