1 Professional Development Training – Enhancing the Delivery of Services Marcela E. Stanislaus facilitator Blackmon Roberts Group, Inc.

2 Who Are We and What Do We Do? Management Analysts/Consultants –Assist client in framing the issue/s that need to be resolved –Collect –Observe –Review and analyze data and information –Make recommendations –Assist client in implementing ideas Recommendations –Solve problems –Offer strategies Ex Officio member of Management Team

3 Experience, Education and Skills Problem solving Researching Analytical, quantitative and qualitative thinking Understanding of business Interpersonal and communication skills Listening skills Excellent writing skills Networking Ability to work in a fast paced environment Project Management Life’s lessons and experiences

4 Tools That We Use(Internal and External) Needs Assessment (DBEs/CBOs) (Contractors and or Consultants; Community Based Organizations) –Accounting and Record keeping –Financial Assistance / Grant Proposals –Scheduling and Planning / Tracking Deliverables –Job Cost Control / Programmatic/Administrative Budgeting –Construction / Program Development –Business Management / Administrative –Marketing –Computer Training –Business Law / Federal Regs / Governance –Legal

5 Tools That We Use (Internal) (Pre)Business Assessment (Contractors and or Consultants) –Company History –Personnel –Business Law –Business Qualifications –Communications –Equipment –Business Management –Financial/Fiscal Analysis –Capacity Level ??

6 Tools That We Use (Internal and External) Checklists –Prequalification –Business loan qualification –Business loan request –Bonding –Business Plan

7 Tools That We Use (Internal and External) How To Access / View –FDOTSite –State of Florida Site –DBE Directory –Advertisements –Proposal Holders –Proposal Holders District

8 What Are We Looking For? Management issues Fiscal issues Planning issues Organizational issues Capacity issues Human resource issues Technical skills issues Non stated business issues Staff Mgm t Clients Cash Flow Goals Finance Credi t AcctgMktg

9 Management Issues Lack of vision / direction Lack of quality control Lack of supervision Poor communication Lack of needed and required skill sets Lack of team atmosphere Lack of technological competence No accountability

10 Fiscal Issues No accounting system in place –Manual or automated Unfamiliar with cost accounting requirements Slow payment history days for collection No cash flow budget or operational budget No financial statements / financial monitoring No equity / high debt No banking relationship beyond an account No collection procedures in place Co mingling of business and personal expenses

11 Planning Issues Untimely purchases / obligations No staffing plan in place No organized method of going after business No sales forecasts No calendar of events / due dates, etc. No vision of the future Non proactive management team

12 Organizational Issues Lack of team atmosphere Poor infrastructure –No policies and procedures –No fiscal oversight No implementation plan No strategic development Poor working environment No accountability

13 Capacity Issues Lack of bonding Bad credit – business and personal Lack of financing –Owners equity –Debt capital Lack of labor talent No understanding of cost accounting methods Lack of compliance requirements

14 Human Resource Issues Lack of job descriptions / specifications Timesheets not properly documented for certified payroll Personnel policies non-existent No equitable evaluation system in place Lack of labor talent No team atmosphere / no regular team meetings

15 Technical Skills Issues Lack knowledge of current state of the industry Staff mismatched in positions to complete tasks No certifications/licenses in place for required work Inadequate or outdated equipment Technological incompetence

16 Non Stated Business Issues Family run business I.e. husband and wife Lack of communication internally No formal hierarchical system for decision making Poor span of control and supervision

17 Communications Internal –Formal Reporting using ACT! Database s, memos and letters –Informal Consultant to consultant Consultant to management Management to consultant External –Formal Monthly Reports –ACT! Database s, memos and letters One on one consultation Telephone calls Newsletter Conferences –Informal – should not exist

18 Formal Internal and External Communications Reporting using the ACT! Database (only in the case of Department of Transportation One on one consultation s, memos and letters Teleconferences

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21 Additional Methods for Professional Development Personal responsibility for continuing education Other training sessions Internet Books, articles, and professional publications Association membership

22 Did We Hit The Mark? Identify additional areas for consulting that may fall outside of our comfort zone Reinforce clear and concise means of telling the story Communicating successes as well as failures Comments - Feedback

23 Working together for Support & Solutions.