The Last Step: Deciding if Teleconvergence is Right for You [A Typical Tough Love Discussion]
When I first contacted Steve Bergman, I was developing a business plan for a firm that would provide Internet services to go along with a Web edition of my specialty newspaper, Manufactured Housing Today.
Steve demonstrated a thorough background in telecommunications. He also has an up-to-date awareness of software and hardware products useful for Internet applications. Most important, he was able to ask the right questions. This process [helped] me to identify areas that needed further study and helped me clarify the market approach [for] the service.
At the same time, Steve had to become knowledgeable about my specialty, the manufactured housing industry. He was able to quickly grasp the nature of this unique industry.
Our collaboration did result in a finished business plan with key investors identified to provide funding. Just when the funding effort was moving forward, I was approached by another company which also provides Internet services to the industry.
Based on the work I had done with Steve, I was able to probe their marketing strategy and identify potential problem areas. As a result, I entered into a joint marketing arrangement with the company that should be beneficial to both parties.
Scott Dalton, President
Dalton Publications, Inc.
This Summary article is designed to help you -- assuming you've already looked us over -- decide whether you should take the next step and contact us.
Part 1: A summary of the resources available to you to facilitate your decision. You needn't read anything you don't want to, but it should be reassuring that it's there, anyway.
- The Consulting Services tab contains what we might be able to do for you and what you'd get out of it.
- The Teleconvergence Process details our perspective, how we go about our business, and what makes us different.
- The Teleconvergence Management page tells you about our founder, who would doubtless do at least some of the work if you decided to retain us. We've already told you we're not a large firm.
- The Basic Teleconvergence FAQ provides a good overview, although naturally there's more detail elsewhere.
Part 2: A summary of who we are and our approach to business, not just consulting.
- We're independent consultants, not vendors or agents. We combine our marketing and business and technical expertise and put it at our clients’ disposal. 100% of our revenues come from clients paying for our services and 0% from commissions from suppliers or vendors.
- We're honest and we're direct. We charge for our time because that's how we provide value. Our clients appreciate our vendor independence, our dedication to their needs, and the complete absence of any conflict of interest.
- We don't like surprises and we definitely don't like surprising our clients. We want them to retain us for the right reasons at the right time to achieve the right results in the right context.
- To us, it doesn't matter if what we come up with is not what you thought you needed or wanted, or even if it's something you'd rather not hear. We may decide you actually need nothing new at all, but that you should reorganize internally instead to take advantage of something you already own or know how to do. And that's what we'll tell you.
- Teleconvergence has no stake in getting permanently hired, not getting fired, in making a sale, or in a sale being made or not made. Our job is simply to identify your needs, separate them from your wants, determine how to satisfy any or all of them, and present you with your alternatives along with our recommendations. What you do with the information is up to you.
- If a client has a good idea what she (or he) wants and expects us to agree with her, it’s up to her to let us know that up front. However, you should be aware that it will generally also make our relationship a non-starter because we'll probably just walk away from the situation. We're management consultants first, and in our opinion, it's a really bad business practice to pay someone just to agree with you.
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If You're Still Reading This...
And you share our business values, you're comfortable that we’re knowledgeable and can at least potentially help you, and you agree with our perspective and methods, then that's enough about us.
For the next step, we really should have a conversation about you and your situation.
You can just call us, which we prefer, or you can send an informative e-mail first, if you wish. It's time for you to reach out to discuss your needs with us.
Don't you agree?
Teleconvergence
(503) 750-2144