Corporate Goals, Plans and Structure 

Use of business plan and/or budgets, including reasonableness of assumptions.
Adequacy of capital to sustain current needs and future growth.
Adequacy and cost of financing sources.
Organizational and reporting structures.
Policies and procedures.

Financial Management and Systems

Financial controls re: budgets, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory.
Operating controls re: new business, shipments, backlogs, profits.
Accounting and information systems.
Costing systems.
Production and inventory control systems.
Collection procedures.

Information Technology

Overall information technology strategy/e-business utilization.
Use of technology for office productivity.
Use of technology for plant productivity.
Use of technology for marketing and sales.

Products and Pricing

New product development efforts.
Pricing policies re: gross profit margins and competition.
Policies and procedures relative to unprofitable product lines.
Product modification process.

Manufacturing and Production

Suitability of facilities and equipment relative to planned growth.
Procedures to minimize manufacturing cycle time.
Capability to produce a quality product with acceptable gross profit margins.
Capability to produce products for on-time delivery.
Quality control and the procedures utilized.
Procedures and relationship with suppliers to maximize service and minimize inventory.

Sales and Markets

	Consistency of marketing and sales strategy with growth plan.
	Internet Marketing considered (and, if used, effectiveness).
	Cost effectiveness of the sales and marketing organization.
	Procedures to produce input from sales organization, customers and suppliers re: changes  and opportunities in the marketplace.
	Sales compensation program incentives, especially relative to potential top producers.
	Sales training and supervision program at all levels (managers, salesmen, customer service reps, manufacturers' reps, wholesalers, etc.).
	Competitive analysis; product/technology/literature assessment.
	Web Site considered (and, if used, effectiveness).
	E-commerce considered (and, if used, effectiveness)..

Personnel

Service, quality and reliability to assure customer satisfaction with regards to people, procedures, and incentives.
Morale, including communications with employees, to assure productivity and commitment.
Bonus and incentive compensation programs at all employee levels.
Utilization of employee ideas and suggestions.
Hiring and training policies and procedures.

Immediate Action Steps

Completion of the Assessment results in the identification of the immediate action steps necessary to proceed. Renaissance consultants (or the client) can execute each immediate action step, evaluate succeeding steps based on the effectiveness of the completed steps, and revise the plan as necessary. As a result of this process and as needed, the following four key plans evolve.

Development of Key Plans

The importance and development of each plan varies with the type of assignment. The plans are used to guide and monitor the process to add value to a client company and are reviewed and refined throughout the value realization process.

Recovery or Transition Plan (as needed) - details the steps necessary to: arrest decline or stagnation and stabilize the company's business; correct major problems; and promote and sustain growth and earnings.

Growth Plan - addresses: product lines and improvement; development of new products or product improvements; marketing strategies, including tactics, penetration, and Internet marketing/web site evaluation; design and acquisition of necessary and efficient plant and equipment; creation of employee incentive programs; recruitment and hiring of key management; long-term capitalization and financing; and possible acquisitions by the company.

Contingency Plan - identifies the obstacles facing the client company throughout the growth and/or recovery phases, and sets forth alternatives to deal with those problems or opportunities which do not respond as anticipated to actions taken. In addition, the Contingency Plan will include an analysis of available back-up resources to maintain the company's business in the face of unexpected reverses.

Exit Plan/Value Realization Plan (when fits the assignment) - identifies feasible methods and avenues for maximizing shareholder value realization.

Execution of Key Plans

Frequently, Renaissance consultants work with the Chief Executive Officer reporting to the Board of Directors. All actions are accomplished with and through the company's management team. While adding value, this process serves as a training tool, assuring that the successful systems and procedures instituted will continue after completion of the assignment.