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Large Sample of The Small Businesses Served in 2002 and 2003 |
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View Clients By Industry:
art/entertainment
beauty/fashion
business services
ecommerce/internet
financial services
manufacturing/production
media/communications
nonprofit
professional services
retail
technology
View Clients By Business Need/Solution:
business strategy
financial
marketing
operations
Industry
art/entertainment
Music Video Distributor
Since the early 1980s, this company has compiled monthly music videos to distribute to nightclubs. Our MBAs4NYC team will work with the owner to develop a marketing/promotion campaign for its existing business, as well as potentially new ways to market its music library. This campaign may involve the hiring of a new sales team.
Record Label
This client is a young dance/house recording label with a large international distribution. They also offer promotional DJ services for DJ's recorded on their label; however, demand for these promotional services dropped significantly post-9/11. The client is seeking assistance with the following three initiatives: (1) cutting operating and marketing costs (marketing is high because they are dependant on promotional partners in other countries), (2) making their web site more robust (they don't currently sell music via this channel) and, (3) exploring the pros and cons of becoming a nonprofit; they feel the label supports a strong cultural exchange in promoting world music and unknown artists from developing nations.
Art Gallery
Our client has become a prominent and established gallery in the local art community. Over two-thirds of its sales are generated through corporate clients. Our team has been asked to work with the owner to develop an outline for a comprehensive business plan for the gallery given the new realities of the economy. This overview would include bullet point summaries for a marketing/growth strategy, projected cash flow and recruiting strategy.
Spiritual Greeting Card Entrepreneur
This artist has created unique greeting cards and programs aimed at the religious marketplace. At the same time, this person is opening a retail store. Our team will work with the artist to prioritize her efforts and develop a two-year plan of attack that meets her own goals.
beauty/fashion
Artist/Fashion Designer
For twenty five years this artist/fashion designer sold her wares through various channels to the top 1% wealthiest people -- her niche market. Living and working literally one block from the World Trade Center, it has taken her two years to contemplate the restarting of her business. Our team will assist her in developing a business game plan, and work with her to decide what to produce, where to sell it, and how to market it.
Cosmetics Firm
This firm has developed products aimed at the prestige cosmetics category. It is a diverse collection of foundations, powders and lipsticks providing options for women who do not fall into defined cosmetic categories. An MBAs4NYC team will conduct an operations audit to provide ways to improve fulfillment and order taking processes, and to lower time spent on operational tasks in order to free up the management team's time for selling.
High-End Fashion Designer
This fashion designer, in business for three years, is poised for rapid growth due to extended publicity received over the last year in major fashion magazines. The client would like a growth game plan for taking the current four-person company to the next level. This operating plan would wholesale sales expansion to select high-end stores in various cities, consider cash flow management, define tactical plans for seven key operations areas, as well as match operations to employee responsibilities.
business services
Courier/Messenger Service
In business for sixty years, this firm provides messenger center and mail room services to top Wall Street firms and other large clients. Given the trend to outsource these functions, the company has lost business, as it has not aggressively moved into outsourcing model. Now, it must position itself as a full-service out source solution. To do so, the company must build a strategy to move from their current position to this new full-service outsourcing service without losing current customers or dropping current services.
Coaching Firm
This firm, focused on Fortune 500 businesses, is entering a new market for its services in addition to its training business. An MBAs4NYC team will develop a tactical marketing plan and brochure for this new service.
Flower Shop
Our client has been, at various times, the preferred flower provider of celebrities and fashion models over its twenty-year history, as well as consistently recognized as one of the premier flower services in the NY area. Since 9/11, business has suffered due to its close location to the World Trade Center and the general economic downturn. It seems people are just not buying as many flowers as they used to. Thus, our client needs to reposition itself with a new pro-active marketing program and, possibly, a branding makeover to attract more corporate clients and gift orders.
Fundraising Company
The company creates Donor Walls, a physical wall structure depicting donors and their monetary contributions, and marketing plans to attract new donors. The client has been actively marketing its services to organizations that receive monetary contributions/donations (e.g. universities, hospitals, private schools, religious institution etc.) The team will work directly with the owner to conduct an extensive marketing audit, determine the effectiveness of each approach used, and make recommendations on continuing programs as well as new tactics and/or strategies to reach its top target audiences.
Medical Billing Company
Our client was originally incarnated as a corporate cleaning service for businesses in Lower Manhattan with the bulk of its clients located in or around the World Trade Center. The company had thirty employees at its height, but currently its staff has decreased to four. At the time of 9/11, the owner was in the midst of transforming the Company from the cleaning service to a medical billing business. The client has requested that the MBAs4NYC team help execute the following deliverables: 1) A definition of at least 2 target markets for new sales opportunities and, 2) An analysis to more fully define the key benefits of using the client's services in these target markets.
Printing Firm
Since 1932, this family-owned printer has served the downtown community. Like many printers downtown, the loss of clients has forced the owner to reexamine how he currently markets and positions his company, particularly to small businesses. The owner recognizes the need to take a fresh look at his company's current business practices and sees the value of working with a two-person MBAs4NYC team over a six-month period. The owner is proactive in nature and welcomes assistance in developing marketing and promotional ideas to expand his book of business.
Downtown Printer
This printer has been located in the Wall Street area serving the business community for over 50 years. With its own print shop on premises, the company is known for its ability to do rush printing jobs, yet also maintain quality standards, high service and reasonable costs. The company has had some major challenges. They lost their major client, a leading Wall Street Investment Bank, after 9/11. And, being located only a block from the World Trade Center it had to close its doors for 4 months. Additionally, it suffered because it's phone service was out for 8 months. Since then, business has continued to decline and the firm continues to struggle to attract new clients. For many years, the printer reached new clients through well-placed yellow pages advertisements. Given the rise of the Internet, the effectiveness of the yellow pages has declined measurably. The company has never had to market itself to acquire new business. Now it does. Our team will work with the business owner (son of founder) to create a new marketing focus and image for the company to win new business accounts.
Digital Printing Company
In business for several years on the far west side of Tribeca, this company's staple has been high-end customized digital printing jobs (museum exhibitions, large outdoor advertisements, custom event canopies/dance floors). While the company has an excellent reputation for high-quality work, and these custom jobs are priced accordingly, orders have been less and less frequent. The company wants to create a new, more reliable revenue stream by creating a "mass" product line, and has two-three ideas that need to be analyzed in-depth. One example is licensing certain genres of art or prints for home furnishings (throws, pillows, etc.).
Support Staff Recruiter
Our client has placed high-end support staff workers at companies for the last sixteen years. Our team would work with them to rebrand their business to reflect their service differentiation rather than a "me too" sales and marketing focus. For deliverables, we will help design a new marketing brochure that will serve as the basis for the development of their upcoming "phone sales pitch" project
International Trade Documentation Company
As world trade becomes increasingly global in nature, companies and individuals set up businesses and residences in more and more countries. Security is paramount in this post 9/11 environment, and official "paper" documentation needs to be verified. Our client performs this service and would like our team to work with the CEO to refine and critique their internal business plan with a focus on their strategic and tactical plans, including their existing branding strategy.
ecommerce/internet
Herbal Medicine E-Commerce Company
A web-based herbal medicine company seeks a marketing team to develop marketing programs to launch their two products.
Finance eNewsletter Service
Our client has spent four years to build a finance industry web-based email service geared to a niche audience within Wall Street. As with most free email services, our client would like to examine new revenue possibilities including charging base members a subscription service fee, and expanding advertising offers, value-added services, and advertorials. The team will assist our client with developing a range of options to generate new revenue opportunities including strategic alliances or JV partners.
Web Retailer
Our client built an online retail store that allows consumers to purchase indigenous, high-end, quality food that is sourced from each state in the United States. Our client would like a team to review its business plan for capital raising purposes, and to develop a more detailed marketing plan that defines potential target markets and lays the foundation for a comprehensive marketing and sales campaign.
financial services
Foreign Currency Trading Firm
This client is seeking one person to review a new business plan to attract new funding to restart a foreign currency trading operation focused on China. This person will be asked to spend 8-10 hours to interview the entrepreneur, understand market forces as well as the plan to build operations.
Insurance Broker Who Lost A Large Number Of Clients Post 9/11
In business for over forty years downtown, this client needs marketing assistance to re-brand his company, and enter new geographic and industrial markets. The challenge is to differentiate the company in an industry where decision is based almost entirely on price.
manufacturing/production
Lucite Promotions
Our client is dedicated to the artistry and production of lucites, lucite gifts, lucite awards, financial deal tombstones and mementos that illuminate the significance of a Wall Street financial transaction or memorable award. The company is seeking a team to provide it with an organized business and marketing approach to expand its business into corporate gift promotions and trophies. In addition, the team will determine if the current structure of the organization, including roles and responsibilities, matches this future expansion of services offered by the company.
Pet Food Manufacturer
The client has carved out a niche within the $31 billion pet food industry by focusing on a collection of 50+ premium products sold in large and small retailers through out the country to dog, cat and, even, horse owners. They are seeking a team to provide them with the foundation of a business plan, including creating a cash flow model based on strategic and tactical plans that management would co-create with our team.
media/communications
Digital Media Company
For over 25 years, this SOHO cultivator of digital media artwork has trained and lectured to a diverse creative community in music, interactive media and film and video. Our team will develop a marketing plan that will increase awareness of its capabilities and enable the firm to reinvigorate its efforts.
Biotech/Pharma Marketing Communications Company
This client has worked for many years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries with not only Fortune 500, but also start-ups. Given the collapse of the dot-coms and venture-backed companies in these industries, the client has seen her business significantly decline. While marketing savvy, the client seeks a team to work with her to bring some fresh ideas to the table and to develop a formal six-month marketing action plan to drive new business.
Publishing Company
This client has two lines of business. The original business has faltered lately due to changing market conditions and the impact of 9/11, while the new business shows increasing potential, but is yet unproven. The MBAs4NYC team will work directly with the owner to perform an industry analysis and a feasibility study for the future of these two businesses.
HIV/Hepatitis Ad Education Agency
Our client produces education materials about HIV and Hepatitis A. These brochures and pamphlets, paid by drug company grants, contain the latest health information about these diseases to help consumers make more informed decisions. A two-person team would work closely with the senior production manager to streamline both the content and graphic-art production processes within the company as their production teams produce multiple printed materials. The goal would be to reduce costs and eliminate wasted time, increase speed to produce materials, and improve product quality. Our ideal team should have ad agency, brochure production and/or project management experience.
nonprofit
Not-for-Profit Youth Organization
The MBAs4NYC team will work directly with the management of this not-for-profit organization that empowers youths ages 5-20 into community action through photography and writing. The goal of your work will be to streamline our client's internal processes to make this organization more efficient and effective.
Child-Abuse Program
Our client is a seventeen-year old nonprofit. Through school puppet shows, it reaches out to children to support their right to be safe from child abuse. They agreed earlier this year to replicate this service in Israel. This is the first expansion effort for the program outside of NYC and they'll be working through an Israeli social services agency to implement it. MBAs4NYC was asked to form a volunteer team to help our client properly replicate the program in Israel by developing and properly documenting an operating plan.
Young Cancer Nonprofit
This client is a young nonprofit that provides personal shopping services for women with cancer using clothing and self-image as a means to promote wellness. They have extremely limited resources. They have tried several outreach ideas, with mixed results, and need help with strategies to raise overall program awareness and to forge partnerships with other complimentary service organizations. They also want to explore the viability/demand for new programs/channels (e.g. outreach programs, online information resources) and are also looking for recommendations to better manage their volunteer resources.
Nonprofit Employment Firm
Our volunteers developed a report for select industries (retail, services, manufacturing, food services, printing, and construction) to serve as the blueprint for hiring entry-level employees in select geographical areas. Requires hands-on market research to find companies and develop proper marketing materials and sales lingo.
professional services
Architecture Firm
This client is a small, award-winning, full-service architectural firm seeking to differentiate itself from other similar firms. Currently, the firm positions itself as a leader in four primary markets. The team will work with the client to 1) develop a consistent vision statement for all five employees to use for selling purposes 2) a unique positioning that clearly differentiates the firm from the competition and 3) develop marketing support points that will clearly communicate the firm's positioning as well as its key service benefits and points of differentiation. In sum, the owner wants clarity in how the firm needs to market itself in order to build new business and client relationships.
Architecture Firm
This is a small six-person architecture firm focused on residential brownstone restoration. The owner prides himself on solving problems and taking clients through the administrative permit hurdles. A team is needed to reposition the firm, fine-tune its message and how the principals sell their services. Our team will work to create a vision to grow the firm to 10-15 people, select 2-3 products to offer that are profitable, and at the same time make sure the firm can grow by clearing operational hurdles that may hinder future growth.
Chiropractic Firm
Our client is a sole practitioner looking to reestablish a once-thriving practice prior to 9/11. He is at a critical juncture in determining which direction to take his practice. After spending one year working out of his home to resuscitate his business, he is challenged with building his clientele due to the fact that his former client base either left the area or no longer requires chiropractic services. Should he sublet patient rooms within an existing medical practice, for example, or go out on his own? What type of marketing does he need to do to build his client base? Our team will work with him to answer these types of questions and more. The end deliverable will be to develop a six-month plan of attack that meets his risk/reward, family obligation and philosophical requirements.
Chiropractic Firm
Our client is moving offices in September and would like assistance in building a marketing program for current and previous patients to spur new business at the new location. In addition, our client would like us to overhaul his practice's image in the market to coincide with the move and future advertising or marketing programs to be undertaken.
Psychoanalyst Training Organization
This client trains students to become psychoanalysts. It is the largest organization outside of the medical world involved in this type of activity. Students come primarily from the arts, literature, teaching and social work backgrounds. Due to a drop in patients since 9/11, our client needs help finding new patients for its students to treat in its referral service. Our team will work closely with management to develop a marketing strategy to find these new patients as well as develop a computerized system to implement the marketing strategy while administering the referral service program more efficiently.
retail
Latin Music CD/DVD/Record Retailer
In its neighborhood for many years, this retailer in the Lower East Side has seen sales decrease due to the decline of foot traffic. A husband/wife team needs its MBAs4NYC team to prepare detailed cash flows based on marketing/financial projections and assumptions. These projections will be used in loan applications to secure working capital needs to bring in new customers. The project may also possibly include a web site.
Locksmith & Hardware Company
This twenty-year-old retail hardware store owner has set some high business goals and very much wants our help in reaching them. The MBAs4NYC team will work directly with the owner to focus on a small number of initiatives to help drive new business. Additionally, the team will develop a marketing program that the owner and his employees will be able to execute themselves while MBAS4NYC provides guidance and advice along the way. This project is slated to run for a six-month period.
Long-Time Sausage Retailer
This well-known family-owned retail shop is now owned by the founder's grandson, and is located in a neighborhood once populated by immigrants who heavily purchased and consumed meat products. However, that was over twenty years ago. Today, the demographic mix of the neighborhood, as well as the eating habits of its population, in general, has changed. In the aftermath of 9/11, this retailer's business experienced a sharp fall off due to the fact that a large number of its customers who had traveled into the city from Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island curtailed their visits to the city and the store. The company is seeking guidance on how to increase its business through branding, marketing and promotions. Additionally, assisting with results tabulation and interpretation of a recently executed customer survey may be required.
Restaurant and Deli
This client has served the downtown financial community for almost 20 years priding itself on customer service, efficient office lunchtime delivery and quality food. Since 9/11, these two food providers have seen business decline due to decreased foot traffic, reduced demand for door-to-office delivery service, and the reduction of customers due to major corporate clients leaving the area. The team will work with this small business owner to ramp up sales including developing promotions to attract new customers, and expanding its catering business. In addition, we will provide input in how best to link the two businesses together for promotional purposes.
Greenwich Village Restaurant
The client is a well-located restaurant with a visible location in Greenwich Village. They are seeking a team to develop new marketing approaches to attract local customers and also tourists, including potential promotional activities, menu changes and advertising/branding suggestions.
Wine and Spirit Retailer
The company has been supplying high-end wine and other spirits downtown for nine years. Historically, the company's main sources of business had been corporate clients and local foot traffic. An MBAs4NYC marketing team is needed to work with the company to develop its corporate client base outside of the downtown area and drive traffic to the new web site that is in the process of being implemented.
High-End Chocolate Maker
Aside from the obvious food benefits of helping this client, our team will be building a comprehensive excel cash flow that will be used to secure expansion financing. Our client will be moving into new space downtown from its current Lower Eastside manufacturing facility and opening a retail store, too.
technology
Web Development Firm
This client has a new signature client in the art world. This artist's web site will be routinely viewed, worldwide, in locations where significant, high-exposure art shows will be occurring over the next few years. The client needs its MBAs4NYC team to work with it to develop a game plan to take advantage of its client's worldwide exposure and potentially develop a new business focus on developing artist web sites.
Software/Program Consulting Firm
Since 1998, this client has developed two B2B software programs aimed at the small business market, as well as work-for-hire programming. Currently, the company offers PC networking support consulting and a new HR software product aimed at 50-500 employee companies. The company would like the team to develop a comprehensive marketing plan, and in particular, to develop a marketing message and how this message needs to be delivered to potential clients.
Software Programming Firm
Our client is a larger, full service telecommunications/ information processing/ security /and audit visual consultancy firm that has downsized its staff 25% since 9/11. In business since1979, they have an impressive client roster with representative firms in many industries such as financial services, legal, professional services, transportation, energy utilities, media and broadcasting, healthcare, education, nonprofit and high tech. The team will be working with the CEO to look at ways to increase revenue, to examine new markets to concentrate sales efforts, and to cut costs without additional layoffs.
Video and Film Post-Production Company
Started 10 years ago, the company offers post-production equipment for rental onsite, in addition to a suite of services utilizing full-time staff and freelancers to edit and apply graphics to commercials, documentaries, on-air promotions, independent feature films and long format informational videos. Our team will help compile the financial documentation to apply for a loan, evaluate the profitability and potential market for each type of post-production work, and develop an HR resource model to help determine when best to hire employees versus freelancers.
Website Design Firm
Our client is a website design, technology and development firm that had built its business by referral only. Until recently, the client never engaged in any organized sales efforts. The client is looking for help in creating a preliminary sales and marketing plan. In addition, the client would like to learn how to attract good sales people and derive an appropriate payment arrangement that creates employee incentive while maximizing the ROI of his sales and marketing efforts.
Securities/Real Estate/Information Technology Consulting Firm
This firm has worked for clients since 1975, most recently by performing software-vendor selection services and strategic operations analysis. The owners are seeking to reposition themselves given the new realities of the IT marketplace and need help to develop marketing materials.
Web Customer Support Company
Started in 1999, this company is a technical support and training firm that offers its clients both Internet-based and on-site technology support and advice. The goal is to jump-start the company's revenue stream and growth by refining/refocusing its marketing and sales processes, and its sales presentation and marketing efforts in up to three target markets. This work will become the framework for the client's future business development efforts and lead to a higher likelihood of winning customer accounts.
Employment Software Firm
Developer of automated employee recruitment web tools that fully automate the hiring process from start to finish needs a business plan developed in order to obtain financing for continued operation and expansion.
Network Service Provider
Our client offers customized networking and connectivity solutions to the financial industry. In business for approximately seven years, their target market has been financial service firms in need of fully managed network solutions for data interchange. The company is involved through the entire network lifecycle (from planning through to implementation and network operations). Our team is being asked to conduct a one-month study to accomplish the following: (1) an analysis of the firm's current marketplace and a recommendation of ways to leverage their current network to service new clientele; (2) an analysis of potential infrastructure needs so that it will be well prepared for future growth, and finally (3) a financial analysis review of the efficacy of the current financials.
Business Need/Solution
business strategy
Art Gallery
Our client has become a prominent and established gallery in the local art community. Over two-thirds of its sales are generated through corporate clients. Our team has been asked to work with the owner to develop an outline for a comprehensive business plan for the gallery given the new realities of the economy. This overview would include bullet point summaries for a marketing/growth strategy, projected cash flow and recruiting strategy.
Artist/Fashion Designer
For twenty five years this artist/fashion designer sold her wares through various channels to the top 1% wealthiest people -- her niche market. Living and working literally one block from the World Trade Center, it has taken her two years to contemplate the restarting of her business. Our team will assist her in developing a business game plan, and work with her to decide what to produce, where to sell it, and how to market it.
Employment Software Firm
Developer of automated employee recruitment web tools that fully automate the hiring process from start to finish needs a business plan developed in order to obtain financing for continued operation and expansion.
Finance eNewsletter Service
Our client has spent four years to build a finance industry web-based email service geared to a niche audience within Wall Street. As with most free email services, our client would like to examine new revenue possibilities including charging base members a subscription service fee, and expanding advertising offers, value-added services, and advertorials. The team will assist our client with developing a range of options to generate new revenue opportunities including strategic alliances or JV partners.
International Trade Documentation Company
As world trade becomes increasingly global in nature, companies and individuals set up businesses and residences in more and more countries. Security is paramount in this post 9/11 environment, and official "paper" documentation needs to be verified. Our client performs this service and would like our team to work with the CEO to refine and critique their internal business plan with a focus on their strategic and tactical plans, including their existing branding strategy.
Lucite Promotions
Our client is dedicated to the artistry and production of lucites, lucite gifts, lucite awards, financial deal tombstones and mementos that illuminate the significance of a Wall Street financial transaction or memorable award. The company is seeking a team to provide it with an organized business and marketing approach to expand its business into corporate gift promotions and trophies. In addition, the team will determine if the current structure of the organization, including roles and responsibilities, matches this future expansion of services offered by the company.
Pet Food Manufacturer
The client has carved out a niche within the $31 billion pet food industry by focusing on a collection of 50+ premium products sold in large and small retailers through out the country to dog, cat and, even, horse owners. They are seeking a team to provide them with the foundation of a business plan, including creating a cash flow model based on strategic and tactical plans that management would co-create with our team.
Publishing Company
This client has two lines of business. The original business has faltered lately due to changing market conditions and the impact of 9/11, while the new business shows increasing potential, but is yet unproven. The MBAs4NYC team will work directly with the owner to perform an industry analysis and a feasibility study for the future of these two businesses.
Spiritual Greeting Card Entrepreneur
This artist has created unique greeting cards and programs aimed at the religious marketplace. At the same time, this person is opening a retail store. Our team will work with the artist to prioritize her efforts and develop a two-year plan of attack that meets her own goals.
Web Retailer
Our client built an online retail store that allows consumers to purchase indigenous, high-end, quality food that is sourced from each state in the United States. Our client would like a team to review its business plan for capital raising purposes, and to develop a more detailed marketing plan that defines potential target markets and lays the foundation for a comprehensive marketing and sales campaign.
financial
High-End Chocolate Maker
Aside from the obvious food benefits of helping this client, our team will be building a comprehensive excel cash flow that will be used to secure expansion financing. Our client will be moving into new space downtown from its current Lower Eastside manufacturing facility and opening a retail store, too.
Latin Music CD/DVD/Record Retailer
In its neighborhood for many years, this retailer in the Lower East Side has seen sales decrease due to the decline of foot traffic. A husband/wife team needs its MBAs4NYC team to prepare detailed cash flows based on marketing/financial projections and assumptions. These projections will be used in loan applications to secure working capital needs to bring in new customers. The project may also possibly include a web site.
Network Service Provider
Our client offers customized networking and connectivity solutions to the financial industry. In business for approximately seven years, their target market has been financial service firms in need of fully managed network solutions for data interchange. The company is involved through the entire network lifecycle (from planning through to implementation and network operations). Our team is being asked to conduct a one-month study to accomplish the following: (1) an analysis of the firm's current marketplace and a recommendation of ways to leverage their current network to service new clientele; (2) an analysis of potential infrastructure needs so that it will be well prepared for future growth, and finally (3) a financial analysis review of the efficacy of the current financials.
Record Label
This client is a young dance/house recording label with a large international distribution. They also offer promotional DJ services for DJ's recorded on their label; however, demand for these promotional services dropped significantly post-9/11. The client is seeking assistance with the following three initiatives: (1) cutting operating and marketing costs (marketing is high because they are dependant on promotional partners in other countries), (2) making their web site more robust (they don't currently sell music via this channel) and, (3) exploring the pros and cons of becoming a nonprofit; they feel the label supports a strong cultural exchange in promoting world music and unknown artists from developing nations.
Video and Film Post-Production Company
Started 10 years ago, the company offers post-production equipment for rental onsite, in addition to a suite of services utilizing full-time staff and freelancers to edit and apply graphics to commercials, documentaries, on-air promotions, independent feature films and long format informational videos. Our team will help compile the financial documentation to apply for a loan, evaluate the profitability and potential market for each type of post-production work, and develop an HR resource model to help determine when best to hire employees versus freelancers.
Website Design Firm
Our client is a website design, technology and development firm that had built its business by referral only. Until recently, the client never engaged in any organized sales efforts. The client is looking for help in creating a preliminary sales and marketing plan. In addition, the client would like to learn how to attract good sales people and derive an appropriate payment arrangement that creates employee incentive while maximizing the ROI of his sales and marketing efforts.
marketing
Architecture Firm
This client is a small, award-winning, full-service architectural firm seeking to differentiate itself from other similar firms. Currently, the firm positions itself as a leader in four primary markets. The team will work with the client to 1) develop a consistent vision statement for all five employees to use for selling purposes 2) a unique positioning that clearly differentiates the firm from the competition and 3) develop marketing support points that will clearly communicate the firm's positioning as well as its key service benefits and points of differentiation. In sum, the owner wants clarity in how the firm needs to market itself in order to build new business and client relationships.
Architecture Firm
This is a small six-person architecture firm focused on residential brownstone restoration. The owner prides himself on solving problems and taking clients through the administrative permit hurdles. A team is needed to reposition the firm, fine-tune its message and how the principals sell their services. Our team will work to create a vision to grow the firm to 10-15 people, select 2-3 products to offer that are profitable, and at the same time make sure the firm can grow by clearing operational hurdles that may hinder future growth.
Artist/Fashion Designer
For twenty five years this artist/fashion designer sold her wares through various channels to the top 1% wealthiest people -- her niche market. Living and working literally one block from the World Trade Center, it has taken her two years to contemplate the restarting of her business. Our team will assist her in developing a business game plan,, and work with her to decide what to produce, where to sell it, and how to market it.
Biotech/Pharma Marketing Communications Company
This client has worked for many years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries with not only Fortune 500, but also start-ups. Given the collapse of the dot-coms and venture-backed companies in these industries, the client has seen her business significantly decline. While marketing savvy, the client seeks a team to work with her to bring some fresh ideas to the table and to develop a formal six-month marketing action plan to drive new business.
Chiropractic Firm
Our client is moving offices in September and would like assistance in building a marketing program for current and previous patients to spur new business at the new location. In addition, our client would like us to overhaul his practice's image in the market to coincide with the move and future advertising or marketing programs to be undertaken.
Coaching Firm
This firm, focused on Fortune 500 businesses, is entering a new market for its services in addition to its training business. An MBAs4NYC team will develop a tactical marketing plan and brochure for this new service.
Courier/Messenger Service
In business for sixty years, this firm provides messenger center and mail room services to top Wall Street firms and other large clients. Given the trend to outsource these functions, the company has lost business, as it has not aggressively moved into outsourcing model. Now, it must position itself as a full-service out source solution. To do so, the company must build a strategy to move from their current position to this new full-service outsourcing service without losing current customers or dropping current services.
Digital Media Company
For over 25 years, this SOHO cultivator of digital media artwork has trained and lectured to a diverse creative community in music, interactive media and film and video. Our team will develop a marketing plan that will increase awareness of its capabilities and enable the firm to reinvigorate its efforts.
Digital Printing Company
In business for several years on the far west side of Tribeca, this company's staple has been high-end customized digital printing jobs (museum exhibitions, large outdoor advertisements, custom event canopies/dance floors). While the company has an excellent reputation for high-quality work, and these custom jobs are priced accordingly, orders have been less and less frequent. The company wants to create a new, more reliable revenue stream by creating a "mass" product line, and has two-three ideas that need to be analyzed in-depth. One example is licensing certain genres of art or prints for home furnishings (throws, pillows, etc.).
Downtown Printer
This printer has been located in the Wall Street area serving the business community for over 50 years. With its own print shop on premises, the company is known for its ability to do rush printing jobs, yet also maintain quality standards, high service and reasonable costs. The company has had some major challenges. They lost their major client, a leading Wall Street Investment Bank, after 9/11. And, being located only a block from the World Trade Center it had to close its doors for 4 months. Additionally, it suffered because it's phone service was out for 8 months. Since then, business has continued to decline and the firm continues to struggle to attract new clients. For many years, the printer reached new clients through well-placed yellow pages advertisements. Given the rise of the Internet, the effectiveness of the yellow pages has declined measurably. The company has never had to market itself to acquire new business. Now it does. Our team will work with the business owner (son of founder) to create a new marketing focus and image for the company to win new business accounts
Flower Shop
Our client has been, at various times, the preferred flower provider of celebrities and fashion models over its twenty-year history, as well as consistently recognized as one of the premier flower services in the NY area. Since 9/11, business has suffered due to its close location to the World Trade Center and the general economic downturn. It seems people are just not buying as many flowers as they used to. Thus, our client needs to reposition itself with a new pro-active marketing program and, possibly, a branding makeover to attract more corporate clients and gift orders.
Fundraising Company
The company creates Donor Walls, a physical wall structure depicting donors and their monetary contributions, and marketing plans to attract new donors. The client has been actively marketing its services to organizations that receive monetary contributions/donations (e.g. universities, hospitals, private schools, religious institution etc.) The team will work directly with the owner to conduct an extensive marketing audit, determine the effectiveness of each approach used, and make recommendations on continuing programs as well as new tactics and/or strategies to reach its top target audiences.
Greenwich Village Restaurant
The client is a well-located restaurant with a visible location in Greenwich Village. They are seeking a team to develop new marketing approaches to attract local customers and also tourists, including potential promotional activities, menu changes and advertising/branding suggestions.
Herbal Medicine E-Commerce Company
A web-based herbal medicine company seeks a marketing team to develop marketing programs to launch their two products.
Insurance Broker Who Lost A Large Number Of Clients Post 9/11
In business for over forty years downtown, this client needs marketing assistance to re-brand his company, and enter new geographic and industrial markets. The challenge is to differentiate the company in an industry where decision is based almost entirely on price.
Locksmith & Hardware Company
This twenty-year-old retail hardware store owner has set some high business goals and very much wants our help in reaching them. The MBAs4NYC team will work directly with the owner to focus on a small number of initiatives to help drive new business. Additionally, the team will develop a marketing program that the owner and his employees will be able to execute themselves while MBAS4NYC provides guidance and advice along the way. This project is slated to run for a six-month period.
Long-Time Sausage Retailer
This well-known family-owned retail shop is now owned by the founder's grandson, and is located in a neighborhood once populated by immigrants who heavily purchased and consumed meat products. However, that was over twenty years ago. Today, the demographic mix of the neighborhood, as well as the eating habits of its population, in general, has changed. In the aftermath of 9/11, this retailer's business experienced a sharp fall off due to the fact that a large number of its customers who had traveled into the city from Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island curtailed their visits to the city and the store. The company is seeking guidance on how to increase its business through branding, marketing and promotions. Additionally, assisting with results tabulation and interpretation of a recently executed customer survey may be required.
Medical Billing Company
Our client was originally incarnated as a corporate cleaning service for businesses in Lower Manhattan with the bulk of its clients located in or around the World Trade Center. The company had thirty employees at its height, but currently its staff has decreased to four. At the time of 9/11, the owner was in the midst of transforming the Company from the cleaning service to a medical billing business. The client has requested that the MBAs4NYC team help execute the following deliverables: 1) A definition of at least 2 target markets for new sales opportunities and, 2) An analysis to more fully define the key benefits of using the client's services in these target markets.
Music Video Distributor
Since the early 1980s, this company has compiled monthly music videos to distribute to nightclubs. Our MBAs4NYC team will work with the owner to develop a marketing/promotion campaign for its existing business, as well as potentially new ways to market its music library. This campaign may involve the hiring of a new sales team.
Nonprofit Employment Firm
Become the sixth Volunteer. Work with another volunteer to develop a report for one of six industries (retail, services, manufacturing, food services, printing, and construction) to serve as the blueprint for hiring entry-level employees in select geographical areas. First meeting is February 19th. Requires hands-on market research to find companies and develop proper marketing materials and sales lingo.
Printing Firm
Since 1932, this family-owned printer has served the downtown community. Like many printers downtown, the loss of clients has forced the owner to reexamine how he currently markets and positions his company, particularly to small businesses. The owner recognizes the need to take a fresh look at his company's current business practices and sees the value of working with a two-person MBAs4NYC team over a six-month period.. The owner is proactive in nature and welcomes assistance in developing marketing and promotional ideas to expand his book of business
Psychoanalyst Training Organization
This client trains students to become psychoanalysts. It is the largest organization outside of the medical world involved in this type of activity. Students come primarily from the arts, literature, teaching and social work backgrounds. Due to a drop in patients since 9/11, our client needs help finding new patients for its students to treat in its referral service. Our team will work closely with management to develop a marketing strategy to find these new patients as well as develop a computerized system to implement the marketing strategy while administering the referral service program more efficiently.
Restaurant and Deli
This client has served the downtown financial community for almost 20 years priding itself on customer service, efficient office lunchtime delivery and quality food. Since 9/11, these two food providers have seen business decline due to decreased foot traffic, reduced demand for door-to-office delivery service, and the reduction of customers due to major corporate clients leaving the area. The team will work with this small business owner to ramp up sales including developing promotions to attract new customers, and expanding its catering business. In addition, we will provide input in how best to link the two businesses together for promotional purposes.
Securities/Real Estate/Information Technology Consulting Firm
This firm has worked for clients since 1975, most recently by performing software-vendor selection services and strategic operations analysis. The owners are seeking to reposition themselves given the new realities of the IT marketplace and need help to develop marketing materials.
Software/Program Consulting Firm
Since 1998, this client has developed two B2B software programs aimed at the small business market, as well as work-for-hire programming. Currently, the company offers PC networking support consulting and a new HR software product aimed at 50-500 employee companies. The company would like the team to develop a comprehensive marketing plan, and in particular, to develop a marketing message and how this message needs to be delivered to potential clients.
Software Programming Firm
Our client is a larger, full service telecommunications/ information processing/ security /and audit visual consultancy firm that has downsized its staff 25% since 9/11. In business since1979, they have an impressive client roster with representative firms in many industries such as financial services, legal, professional services, transportation, energy utilities, media and broadcasting, healthcare, education, nonprofits and high-tech firms. The team will be working with the CEO to look at ways to increase revenue, to examine new markets to concentrate sales efforts, and to cut costs without additional layoffs.
Support Staff Recruiter
Our client has placed high-end support staff workers at companies for the last sixteen years. Our team would work with them to rebrand their business to reflect their service differentiation rather than a "me too" sales and marketing focus. For deliverables, we will help design a new marketing brochure that will serve as the basis for the development of their upcoming "phone sales pitch" project
Web Customer Support Company
Started in 1999, this company is a technical support and training firm that offers its clients both Internet-based and on-site technology support and advice. The goal is to jump-start the company's revenue stream and growth by refining/refocusing its marketing and sales processes, and its sales presentation and marketing efforts in up to three target markets. This work will become the framework for the client's future business development efforts and lead to a higher likelihood of winning customer accounts.
Web Development Firm
This client has a new signature client in the art world. This artist's web site will be routinely viewed, worldwide, in locations where significant, high-exposure art shows will be occurring over the next few years. The client needs its MBAs4NYC team to work with it to develop a game plan to take advantage of its client's worldwide exposure and potentially develop a new business focus on developing artist web sites
Website Design Firm
Our client is a website design, technology and development firm that had built its business by referral only. Until recently, the client never engaged in any organized sales efforts. The client is looking for help in creating a preliminary sales and marketing plan. In addition, the client would like to learn how to attract good sales people and derive an appropriate payment arrangement that creates employee incentive while maximizing the ROI of his sales and marketing efforts.
Wine and Spirit Retailer
The company has been supplying high-end wine and other spirits downtown for nine years. Historically, the company's main sources of business had been corporate clients and local foot traffic. An MBAs4NYC marketing team is needed to work with the company to develop its corporate client base outside of the downtown area and drive traffic to the new web site that is in the process of being implemented.
Young Cancer Nonprofit
This client is a young nonprofit that provides personal shopping services for women with cancer using clothing and self-image as a means to promote wellness. They have extremely limited resources. They have tried several outreach ideas, with mixed results, and need help with strategies to raise overall program awareness and to forge partnerships with other complimentary service organizations. They also want to explore the viability/demand for new programs/channels (e.g. outreach programs, online information resources) and are also looking for recommendations to better manage their volunteer resources.
operations
Architecture Firm
This is a small six-person architecture firm focused on residential brownstone restoration. The owner prides himself on solving problems and taking clients through the administrative permit hurdles. A team is needed to reposition the firm, fine-tune its message and how the principals sell their services. Our team will work to create a vision to grow the firm to 10-15 people, select 2-3 products to offer that are profitable, and at the same time make sure the firm can grow by clearing operational hurdles that may hinder future growth.
Child-Abuse Program
Our client is a seventeen-year old nonprofit. Through school puppet shows, it reaches out to children to support their right to be safe from child abuse. They agreed earlier this year to replicate this service in Israel. This is the first expansion effort for the program outside of NYC and they'll be working through an Israeli social services agency to implement it. MBAs4NYC was asked to form a volunteer team to help our client properly replicate the program in Israel by developing and properly documenting an operating plan.
Chiropractic Firm
Our client is a sole practitioner looking to reestablish a once-thriving practice prior to 9/11. He is at a critical juncture in determining which direction to take his practice. After spending one year working out of his home to resuscitate his business, he is challenged with building his clientele due to the fact that his former client base either left the area or no longer requires chiropractic services. Should he sublet patient rooms within an existing medical practice, for example, or go out on his own? What type of marketing does he need to do to build his client base? Our team will work with him to answer these types of questions and more. The end deliverable will be to develop a six-month plan of attack that meets his risk/reward, family obligation and philosophical requirements
Cosmetics Firm
This firm has developed products aimed at the prestige cosmetics category. It is a diverse collection of foundations, powders and lipsticks providing options for women who do not fall into defined cosmetic categories. An MBAs4NYC team will conduct an operations audit to provide ways to improve fulfillment and order taking processes, and to lower time spent on operational tasks in order to free up the management team's time for selling.
Foreign Currency Trading Firm
This client is seeking one person to review a new business plan to attract new funding to restart a foreign currency trading operation focused on China. This person will be asked to spend 8-10 hours to interview the entrepreneur, understand market forces as well as the plan to build operations.
High-End Fashion Designer
This fashion designer, in business for three years, is poised for rapid growth due to extended publicity received over the last year in major fashion magazines. The client would like a growth game plan for taking the current four-person company to the next level. This operating plan would wholesale sales expansion to select high-end stores in various cities, consider cash flow management, define tactical plans for seven key operations areas, as well as match operations to employee responsibilities
HIV/Hepatitis Ad Education Agency
Our client produces education materials about HIV and Hepatitis A. These brochures and pamphlets, paid by drug company grants, contain the latest health information about these diseases to help consumers make more informed decisions. A two-person team would work closely with the senior production manager to streamline both the content and graphic-art production processes within the company as their production teams produce multiple printed materials. The goal would be to reduce costs and eliminate wasted time, increase speed to produce materials, and improve product quality. Our ideal team should have ad agency, brochure production and/or project management experience.
Lucite Promotions
Our client is dedicated to the artistry and production of lucites, lucite gifts, lucite awards, financial deal tombstones and mementos that illuminate the significance of a Wall Street financial transaction or memorable award. The company is seeking a team to provide it with an organized business and marketing approach to expand its business into corporate gift promotions and trophies. In addition, the team will determine if the current structure of the organization, including roles and responsibilities, matches this future expansion of services offered by the company.
Network Service Provider
Our client offers customized networking and connectivity solutions to the financial industry. In business for approximately seven years, their target market has been financial service firms in need of fully managed network solutions for data interchange. The company is involved through the entire network lifecycle (from planning through to implementation and network operations). Our team is being asked to conduct a one-month study to accomplish the following: (1) an analysis of the firm's current marketplace and a recommendation of ways to leverage their current network to service new clientele; (2) an analysis of potential infrastructure needs so that it will be well prepared for future growth, and finally (3) a financial analysis review of the efficacy of the current financials
Not-for-Profit Youth Organization
The MBAs4NYC team will work directly with the management of this not-for-profit organization that empowers youths ages 5-20 into community action through photography and writing, . The goal of your work will be to streamline our client's internal processes to make this organization more efficient and effective.
Psychoanalyst Training Organization
This client trains students to become psychoanalysts. It is the largest organization outside of the medical world involved in this type of activity. Students come primarily from the arts, literature, teaching and social work backgrounds. Due to a drop in patients since 9/11, our client needs help finding new patients for its students to treat in its referral service. Our team will work closely with management to develop a marketing strategy to find these new patients as well as develop a computerized system to implement the marketing strategy while administering the referral service program more efficiently.
Record Label
This client is a young dance/house recording label with a large international distribution. They also offer promotional DJ services for DJ's recorded on their label; however, demand for these promotional services dropped significantly post-9/11. The client is seeking assistance with the following three initiatives: (1) cutting operating and marketing costs (marketing is high because they are dependant on promotional partners in other countries), (2) making their web site more robust (they don't currently sell music via this channel) and, (3) exploring the pros and cons of becoming a nonprofit; they feel the label supports a strong cultural exchange in promoting world music and unknown artists from developing nations.
Web Customer Support Company
Started in 1999, this company is a technical support and training firm that offers its clients both Internet-based and on-site technology support and advice. The goal is to jump-start the company's revenue stream and growth by refining/refocusing its marketing and sales processes, and its sales presentation and marketing efforts in up to three target markets. This work will become the framework for the client's future business development efforts and lead to a higher likelihood of winning customer accounts.
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