The Russell Consulting Group

Case Studies:Financial Service - A client’s failure to properly represent their brandManufacturing - Lacking tactical financial planning for growth and setbacksCafé’s- Scaling without full scalability resourcesAutomotive - Becoming oblivious to competitionMultiple sectors - Assumptions surrounding: Customer (consumer taste) Social, economic, cultural, and political trendsClient Size & Sectors:Established business generating between 2-30 million in annual sales3-200 (averaged target 103) employeesSectors – services, manufacturing, professional, retail, restaurant, bars/cafes, and hospitalityWill consider small businesses under 500K and qualified start-ups (providing that they have adequate seed funding and are able to implement strategies)Businesses:Entering growth phase seeking an intelligent scaling strategy in Austin, Texas, reginal, national expansionInto CEE (EU) marketsSeeking a succession strategy to be groomed and prepared for sellingSeeking a strategy to buy out their competitorsInterested in exceptional customer service and healthy management to employee relationshipsSeeking to incorporate relevant marketing strategies to their business planning

As the Principal Adviser, John Russell’s track record includes:21 years in building and selling multiple successful business’s (some of which earned statewide recognition)Over 25 years as a Business Strategist in Hawaii, CA, Central Europe, and Austin, have advised all business sizes and sectors including several Fortune 500 companiesThese two factors provide our clients with knowledge and experience derived from a well-rounded history - from the perspective of a business owner and business adviser. As a past political lobbyist and one who served political office, John also understands how to maneuver our clients around political hurdles.What’s Unique About Our Service?Beginning with business planning and marketing strategies, we take a hybrid approach toward incorporating all facets of business needs into one strategy We have built a solid team of trusted and vetted partners who become part of the “we” approach the RCG is known forWe troubleshoot and truly work to resolve issues of deficiencies through a combination of candor and advocacy for the clients we serveProponent of business > community > cultural integration

Issue: In-ability to properly create a plan with a succession (exit) strategy in mind.Problem: Their business valuation was 50% less than expected.Solution: Created a strategy (roadmap) for company to:Build on their history and strengths in the marketplace – and expand upon themBring in the right team of CPAs, Financial Advisers and Competitive Marketing professionalsResults:Company sold 1.3 years later for 138% above original valuationBusiness owners sold company with minimized tax impactAn enhanced retirement plan that incorporated their previous investments with the sale of the business was established

Issue: Failure to fully implement the vision through effective leadership.Problem: Developers built a team without a true understanding their key purpose and objectives.Solution: Brought clarity which included:Product development was based on focus group input from perspective end users and not the “clients intended buyer”Validation of products worthiness to intended buyers.Energized brand recognitionCohesive product delivery and team participationResults:Buyer’s value perception increased resulting in purchasesWith this growth, client was able to secure additional rounds of funding to scale businessThey were bought