Frequently Asked Questions

Management Consulting Services Available

Why should I have a business advisor?
A business advisor provides an independent perspective on your company's plans and issues. The advisor often acts as a confidential sounding board for ideas you may not wish to discuss with an employee, or even a spouse.

I really don't like to sell. Can you help me?
For many people today, selling is a dirty word because they interpret it to mean manipulation. If your sales are declining or what worked in the past no longer works, perhaps you need to rethink how you sell. Consultative selling puts the customer and their needs first and can turn around your sales force. Solid Oak often works with companies who are frustrated with traditional selling and looking for a dramatically new way to work with their prospects.

Can you tell me more about your approach to change management?
Solid Oak treats change and change management as a process, not an event. We therefore have a well-defined process to use as a starting point to plan and customize a change process to fit your needs. We work closely with the business owner and other key managers to implement the desired change.

How does the coaching process work?
Coaching is a relationship between Solid Oak and you, where the objective is to help you grow personally and professionally. Coaching normally takes place over a 6- to 12-month period.

I can't get everything done fast enough. Can you help me manage my time better?
In spite of high hopes when the company was formed, many business owners are now virtually slaves to their company. There is an alternative, however, in which the company operates at peak performance even if the owner is not present. Solid Oak helps business owners achieve this kind of freedom.

Why do I need a transition/exit strategy?
There's a time when you want to sell your business. There's a time when your business is at its peak value. Unfortunately, those two times rarely coincide. Worse, most small business owners have 75% or more of their total wealth tied up in their businesses. Solid Oak can help you prepare the business for transition, to help ensure you get the highest price when you choose to sell.

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About Working with Solid Oak Consulting

Do you offer consultations by phone?
Our mentoring and coaching services can be delivered by phone after we have met face-to-face at least once.

What's your fee structure?
We use a standard fee structure, but the fees you pay depend on how often we need to meet and how much work needs to be done. It only makes sense to discuss specifics once we have mutually decided to work together.

Where would we meet for a consultation?
If you contact us by email or phone, we will work out a convenient location for a meeting.

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More About Solid Oak Consulting

What are the most common issues that Solid Oak Consulting addresses?
Solid Oak helps business owners who want to grow their businesses. Many of these owners have set a goal of doubling their sales in the next 12 months. We also help owners who feel time-stressed, trapped by their businesses, searching for a way to operate profitably, with more time for a personal life.

Which industries do you serve?
As a general management consultant, I do not focus on any particular industry. I do most of my work, however, with businesses that serve other businesses rather than consumers. In other words, B2B companies.

Where is Solid Oak Consulting located?
Our address is 522 South Elmwood Avenue in Oak Park, IL 60304-1411. For directions call 708-524-0886.

What geographic area do you serve?
Solid Oak operates in the greater Chicago area, but I can refer you to accredited consultants all over the US and in many other countries.

How many consultants work for Solid Oak Consulting?
Solid Oak is itself a small business, but it's owner, Tom Long, is accredited by the Institute for Independent Business and as such, he has access to a group of over 4500 experienced consultants.

Who is Tom Long?
Solid Oak's owner and founder is Tom Long. Tom is an experienced executive and consultant with over 30 years of business experience. You can learn more about Tom's credentials and certifications in About Us.

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Obtaining Free Information

How do I subscribe to one of your newsletters?
You can subscribe to any or all of the three newsletters I publish by simply emailing me at Tom Long. Similarly, to unsubscribe, just indicate that in an email.

Can I have a copy of one of your presentations?
Downloadable versions of our presentations, and in some cases a audio copy, are available for your use.

Can I have a copy of one of your articles?
Our articles, as published in various newsletters, are available for download. See our Publications page on The Small Business Seminar site.

What is your privacy policy?
It is Solid Oak Consulting's policy not to share any email or other information with any other parties. If you are receiving one or more of our newsletters and wish to be removed from the mailing list, please send an email with your request to: Tom Long.

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What if I have a question that is not answered here?

Please contact us. Solid Oak Consulting will provide you with an absolutely free and no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation.

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