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The Renaissance Consultants' Assessment and Re-Engineering

The Assessment, frequently the initial step in a Renaissance assignment, is an objective overview that identifies weaknesses and problems as well as strengths and opportunities.

The Assessment Checklist below is very comprehensive. Only items on the checklist which apply to a particular client company situation should be evaluated. Furthermore, if an assignment relates to only one phase of a company's business such as finances, sales or manufacturing and not to its overall operations, the Assessment should cover only that phase of the business. The Assessment determines whether re-engineering is needed.

The quantity and quality of basic information available from the client company is critical to the Assessment. The absence of any such basic information is the first step in defining problems and opportunities.

The Assessment itself consists of four steps:

1. Gathering information from the client company.

2. Interviewing company executives and selected employees.

3. Analyzing the information received.

4. Reporting to client.

The Assessment Checklist

Corporate Goals, Plans, Structure

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

Financial Management and Systems
 

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

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.
	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 evaluation; clear marketing goals.

Personnel
 

	People, procedures, and incentives re: service, quality, reliability to assure customer satisfaction.
	High level of 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.

© 2001 Renaissance Resource Group, Ltd. New Brunswick, NJ. 732-828-4900

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Renaissance is a management consulting firm that specializes in implementation and adding value in short time frames for companies engaged in manufacturing, distribution and service.

Renaissance consultants are the publishers of the "NJ Directory of Select Service Firms and Organizations®."

Senior management expertise is available for assessment and implementation in the following:

• Project management - using hands on leadership to help assure on-time and within budget completion of special projects by proven senior level operating executives.

• E-business utilization/Internet marketing along with Web site evaluation and e-commerce.

• Turnaround management, crisis management and interim management - for troubled and/or under-performing companies where Renaissance consultants' considerable management and restructuring experience can add significant value either in an advisory capacity or as temporary CEOs, COOs or CFOs.

• Business Positioning - preparation of business plans, growth strategies and acquisition plans. Also break even valuations for companies seeking additional capital; sales growth; growth by acquisition; to enter new markets; to be acquired; or to go public.