Sheila Givens, (BA, MBA) is a seasoned entrepreneur, with 15 years experience as a consultant to small and medium sized businesses. Her approach is to help the business owner discover what is their company’s critical success factor.

  “It may be a product that ‘sells itself’, or excellent customer service,” explains Sheila, continuing, “or it may a company’s superior marketing and advertising, or careful budgeting that is the key to its success.”

  Whatever it may be Sheila helps business owners understand what their critical success factor is and helps them learn how to use it to full advantage. The results are increased profit margins, streamlined operations and more customers.

  Sheila and her team offer a number of different services to make this possible, designed to address such things as marketing and sales improvements, operational and staffing analysis, financial improvements, or training and motivational needs.

  In a marketing and sales improvement plan, for example, market research is first conducted to analyze the business environment, the competition, and the company’s potential customer. A marketing plan is then developed, working with input from the company’s owners.

  Once the research has been done and a marketing plan drawn up the marketing initiatives and actions are carried out to make the plan a success. Part of this is a webpage for the company.

  With an operational and staffing analysis the operational and business environment is scrutinized, then recommendations are made for a more productive, more profitable and smoother operation.

  Comprehensive financial and operational business plans are put together if a company is wanting financial improvements. These would include exploring possible sources of financing, as well as methods for cutting costs and improving profit margins.

  If it is training and motivation that is needed then SME offers customer service training, as well as training in other areas, such as improving written and presentation skills.

  SME devotes the same thorough attention to any of their consulting services. They have worked with managers of emerging companies to help clarify objectives, address challenges, and achieve company growth and profitability.

  “We listen to our client’s need, then strive to meet and exceed their expectations,” says Sheila.

  For more information contact SME Strategies at 705.788.1800, or e-mail smgivens@vianet.ca.