How do we start?
Our typical process starts with a phone call, followed up by an initial
meeting if appropriate. During this initial consultation, which
will last from ½ to one day, we work with senior management to specify
their major concerns with respect to meeting financial (i.e.,
growth, profitability), and customer expectations, and review key
performance metrics (trends) related to these expectations.
We
also review the key priorities and initiatives the company has
undertaken in its major functional areas (i.e., Sales & marketing,
Operations & supply chain, Technical, Organization), the investment
in time and resources, and how those investments support the business
strategy. Finally, we try to understand the organizational and
resource constraints that prevent the Company from meeting their
expectations.
If, at the end of this meeting,
Management wishes to retain our service, GordianKnot will prepare a
consulting proposal that details scope of work, analyses to be carried
out, time required, and deliverables.
Cost of Initial Consultation: Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses with no mark-up.
What is the process for General Business Consulting?
During a general business consulting engagement, GordianKnot carries
out a detailed, “tops-down” analysis of the areas of concern identified
in the initial consultation. Depending on the issues of concern,
the consulting phase could include a number of different analyses for
the business unit including:
Financial analysis – Macro characterization:
Market segmentation analysis;
Customers and products/services segmentation (Pareto
analysis);
Cost structure analysis;
Supply chain structure and cost;
Processes and Systems;
Organization Structure analysis
The
proposal for the engagement will specifically detail the tasks involved, and
the time expected for each task. Gordian
Knot will be very flexible in working with the client to prepare an engagement
process that meets the specific needs of the customer. In many cases this may involve one to three
phases with review points at the end of a phase. Depending on the complexity, the consulting
phase is generally completed over a 2-4 week time frame. It consists of a
series of interviews with key managers, follow-up discussions as needed and
analysis using GordianKnot analytical tools. GordianKnot also provides to the
client both summary data and the detailed data that supports the analyses.
The consulting engagement deliverables consist
of a review meeting with senior management to discuss the analysis and
recommendations, a report detailing the results of the analysis, and recommendations
that are practical, real world, and implementable.
What is the GordianKnot process for Supply Chain
consulting? The
approach for a Supply Chain consulting engagement is similar to general
business consulting; however, the analysis is more narrowly focused on the structure
and cost of the supply chain and products/services. The engagement will include an analysis of
the Business unit objectives, the make-buy structure, in-house and supplier
cost structure, product mix, process flow, and systems. From this analysis, GordianKnot
will identify specific changes to the supply chain that can significantly
improve the operating and financial performance of the business unit. These recommendations may include systems
improvements, supplier changes or consolidations, material re-sourcing, or
domestic or offshore outsourcing.
In
the situation where outsourcing is applicable, GordianKnot will work with the
Client to develop a customized Outsourcing Plan that provides realistic and
attainable benefits and timelines for implementation, and matches the Client
with pre-screened and qualified outsourcing partners with the required process
capability, capacity, and systems.
As
a result of this process, GordianKnot can assist the customer to mitigate or
eliminate the most common outsourcing problems, including focus on solving the
wrong problem, supply disruption, unrealized cost savings, and disillusionment
with outsourcing partners due to unrealistic expectations.
What about Implementation? The
GordianKnot principals understand that successful implementation of change is
the ultimate objective of a consulting engagement, not a consulting
report. We also understand how important
it is that your employees accept the need for change, and willingly help create
and take ownership of the implementation process.
GordianKnot
will help assemble a cross-functional Solution Delivery Team consisting of
Client managers and employees that are most impacted by the contemplated
changes and have demonstrated leadership ability. The client staff provides the visible
leadership and deep company experience. The GordianKnot role is behind the
scenes; acting as experienced advisor, change agent, coach, strategist, analyst
and hands on implementer based on what is needed for the Solution Delivery Team
to deliver success.
Our
role is to help develop the Plan with specific timelines and tasks, keep all
Team members apprised of progress and problems encountered, and keep the team
members on track by any and all means.
How much does the Phase I engagement cost?
The costs depend on the scope and duration of the work. Our
professional fees range from $2,500 to $3,000 per day depending on the
resource and nature of the work. We charge for out of pocket expenses
at our cost and without any markups.
How do I contact GordianKnot?
The best way to reach us is via phone or email. We are based in Palo
Alto, CA (San Franciso Bay area) and in Dallas, TX. Feel free to
contact Robert Benson at 650-520-1060,
or Chris
Dietemann at 214-282-5828,
if you would like
to discuss your issues and how we may be able to help. (See " Contact Us " for further details, maps and directions.)
What is the origin of the GordianKnot name?
Our name "GordianKnot" is a metaphor for an intractable problem,
solved by a bold stroke ("cutting the Gordian knot"). The myth
notes that the Gordian Knot, tied by Gordias (King ofPhrygia, a small
kingdom in Asia Minor) was held to be capable of being untied only by
the future ruler of Asia. Many people tried to untie the knot and
failed. Alexander attempted to untie the knot. When he could find
no end to the knot, to unbind it, he sliced it in half with a stroke of
his sword, producing the required ends
This is a
metaphor for the approach that Gordian Knot brings to intractable
business problems. We will cut to the heart of the problem and
with bold strokes produce the required solution.