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Transcript of 7/14 Business Plus Chat with Theresa Szczurek

Theresa Szczurek, president of Technology and Management Solutions LLC, will join us Monday, July 14, at 10 a.m. for a live Web chat. Technology and Management Solutions classifies itself as a management consulting firm that reenergizes strategic plans, execution programs and workforces to provide economic, environmental and social benefits. Ask your questions now or join us live on Monday.

Questions

  • jenfalor:

    Good morning Theresa! Thanks for joining us. For those of you visiting the chat, feel free to ask questions. Simply type your question in the field and click the "Submit Question" button.

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      Thanks for having me participate. I look forward to your questions on business performance, pursuits of passionate purpose, and other aspects of producing results.

  • wallacea:

    Hello Theresa, can you describe Technology and Management Solutions and give some background about yourself?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      Technology and Management Solutions is a management consulting and professional speaking firm that helps organizations and leaders reach new heights in performance, productivity, and results. We specialize in strategic planning and execution, market development, people and process alignment, and ongoing performance improvement. I started out as an Engineer with Bell Laboratories designing telecommunications systems and then moved into global marketing with AT&T International. Then co-founded a Boulder technology company, Radish, which we grew from $0 to $40 million in less than six years. Since selling Radish, I have been consulting, coaching, and speaking with TMS and helping organizations produce great results.

  • wallacea:

    What types of companies do you work with? Are they primarily technology firms?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      We work with small to medium-sized companies, both for-profit and not-for- profit, which seek growth, new strategies, and re-energized workforces. While we are not limited to technology clients, many of our clients include technology companies and their leaders in a range of industries such as GreenTech, IT, Energy, and Telecommunications.

  • skilledquill:

    What indicates that it's a good idea for an online business to also open a brick-and-mortar store?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      It really depends on the firm's purpose, that is to say why they exist, and its vision of what it wants to be. This is why I recommend that a firm create and regularly update a strategic plan so as to set its direction. The firm should listen to its customers, who is it trying to serve, and what do the customers need. Additionally, the business may find other benefits and learnings from having a brick-and-mortar store such as having a more tangible presense in the marketplace.

  • caronellis:

    The economy is down causing a lot of companies to look for ways to cut back and save money. How does the poor economy affect business performance in general? How can companies improve business performance while adjusting to the less-than-optimal economic situation?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      The poor economy brings opportunities to businesses -- some companies have more challenges and others given their product/service offering actually do better. For example, our clients involved in renewable energy and sustainability are finding tremendous growth now. To improve business performance, companies should be on top of trends by doing ongoing market research and determine where growth is likely to occur. For example, we helped Boundless Corporation, an energy management firm that had traditionally served the government market, develop a business plan to expand and meet the needs of the growing commercial markets involved with lithium-ion batteries. We have helped other firms develop customer relationship programs so they can more easily cross-sell and up-sell with existing clients. It costs 7 to 10 times as much to close a sale with a new prospect than an existing customer.

  • wallacea:

    I know that every company faces different hurdles, but is there one common challenge that businesses face today? And if so, how does your firm help them overcome that?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      For-profit and non-profit businesses alike are dependent on their most critical resource -- people. These people represent customers, employees, partners, and other stakeholders. Passionate people are the most important factor helping firms thrive even in challenging times. TMS helps create engaged, motivated, and passionate workforces who are productive, and who positively impact the triple-bottom line. We do this through the use of the "Pursuit of Passionate Purpose" process developed through extensive original research as well as my practical experience.

  • bartley:

    Hi Theresa,

    Being in Boulder, we have always (usually) been a little more ecology-focused than the rest of the country; but now see 'Sustainability' as a part of every corporate agenda. Do you see the current economic downturn as having a negative impact on these initiatives, or do you think they are here to stay?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      I believe Sustainability initiatives are here to stay. Sustainability is good for business -- it reduces costs and builds good rapport with customers, stockholders, and the public in general. Firms are increasingly measured by a triple-bottom line impact of economic, social, and environment benefits. Of course, companies must as always assess how to cost-effectively implement solutions. This is why having a thorough strategic plan and consistently executing it is so critical.

  • wallacea:

    What did you learn from your past experience, at Bell, Radish, etc., that made you decide to take this consulting path?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      I learned how to produce extraordinary results by unleashing people's passion, aligning it with a clear organizational purpose, and pursuing it with a plan persistently until progress is made. I also learned that organizations and leaders are hungry for this approach. Through consulting, business coaching, and speaking I can make a bigger meaningful difference in the world. This allows me to make a living while making a difference.

  • rad:

    How do you ensure that your clients successfully execute and follow the steps and plans you've helped them create?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      Execution is one of the biggest problems facing organizations. They can have a great plan, but if it is not executed properly little progress will result. TMS provides ongoing coaching for accountability and performance whereby we work over time to teach our clients how to execute their plans. We set up clear metrics, tracking systems, regular monitoring on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis so to keep everyone going in the right direction. It is 'teaching them to fish' rather than 'giving them a fish.'

  • wallacea:

    On that same economic thread... a lot of businesses have tightened their belts. Is this a difficult time for your business because of businesses scaling back?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      In these economic times, even more companies need our help because our work helps them perform and helps firms in trouble turnaround. We are used to working with firm's problems and helping them develop solutions. The smart firms know which costs to cut and which ones, such as expert consulting, to focus on.

  • jenfalor:

    Thank you, Theresa, for joining us today. If people have additional questions, or want to find out more about Technology and Management Solutions, what's the best way for them to contact you?

    • THERESA SZCZUREK:

      Visit my websites, sign up for my e-newsletter, and send me an email at www.TMSworld.com and www.PursuitofPassionatePurpose.com and check out my blog at www.RadishSprouts.typepad.com.

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