Orange Kiwi

Our Unique Approach

Built around three core domains, the M3 model gives owners a holistic navigational pathway for their transition:

When these three domains and twenty-two variables are aligned, they form the basis for a successful transition. The relative strengths and weaknesses of any business and its owners is unique and we tailor our consulting to focus on specific and timely needs as opposed to offering formulaic silver bullets or quick fixes that inevitably fail.

1. My Business

Successful owners naturally build and shape their firm’s strategy, culture, structure and ways of working to conform to their style and skills. That is a significant part of what allows owners to become successful but, it is also what gets them stuck when change is required.

We helps owners (present and/or future) take an objective and systematic look at variables in the My Business dimension to identify levers of change for transition success - be that scale, sale, or succession.

2. My Money

In the low to mid market business and personal finances are often inextricably linked. As a business grows, financial complexity in the business also increases and in seasons of significant transition the complexity grows exponentially. The old adage “growing businesses eat cash” is only part of the complexity faced by owners as they attempt to scale, engage in a family succession, or sell the business.

The M3 navigational model and process helps owners gain greater control of their finances in the business and their personal estates. In addition, our clients benefit from strategic partnerships we have developed with some of the country’s leading financial experts including strategic CFO services, wealth and asset strategists, trust and estate experts, and capital providers.

3. My Self

This domain separates us from other firms. Consulting firms rarely consider, let alone have the expertise to understand the interdependent nature of a business and its owner(s). Separating the success of a closely held business from who the owner is below the surface can be complex and confusing.

Successful owners have unique psychological characteristics. Building the business so that it works for their personality, leadership style, and skill set is what makes them successful. However, both data and experience have shown owners encounter seasons of transition where what worked in the past is no longer sufficient for the challenges they face.

Transition to a new season requires thinking and working differently, but that is hard in the face of maintaining what exists today. The M3 navigational model helps owners discover insights about how they are “wired”, how their wiring got them where they are, and how to integrate this knowledge with their strategy for transition success - be that goal scale, sale, or succession.

Our transition consulting services includes:

  • Creating clarity for MOM (management, ownership, and money) + Self (personal) goals for the transition

  • Separating governance and operational management decision-making

  • Facilitating management team development to achieve the transition goals

  • Defining and facilitating culture change necessary to achieve

  • Evaluating team dynamics and building leadership capacity

  • Family businesses succession evaluation, scenario development, and implementation support

While many consultants work above the line, what makes us different is the work below the line:

  • Increasing self and other awareness

  • Identifying and conquering cognitive biases and faulty mental models

  • Increasing decision-making effectiveness and efficiency

  • Intervening with family systems thinking and tools

  • Resourcing owners, family members, and their management teams through specialized coaching and leadership development processes