February 4, 2023

PRE CCL 

 

CCL ORIENTATION 
2/9/23

 

STUDENT CONSULTING PRIMER PART 1
2/17/23

During this 1 hour session, we will discuss the how to understand the need, establish the scope and define the business owner’s greatest challenges. We will also review the Client Scope Document and Initial Meeting Script. We will assign homework to help you prepare for your first meeting. 

This homework

Resources:

  • Client Scope Document
  • Cash Flow Tool
  • Cash Flow Tutorial Video

 

MATCH DAY
2/18/23

During Match Day you will meet your assigned business. Use the script to guide you as you build rapport and gather information about their needs that your expertise can fill. Balance being creative with staying in your area of expertise. Consultants advise in their areas of expertise. It is ok to NOT try to fix things that you don’t know how to fix. Under promise and overdeliver but stay within the agreed upon scope. Your homework will ask for information that you gathered during your meeting with your new client. Make sure to use the time to gather this important info. QUESTIONAIRE HERE

Homework:

Click here for CCL Student Homework #1

 

STUDENT CONSULTING PRIMER PART 2
2/18/23

After Match Day, we will discuss how to use the cash flow projections to guide the client through budgeting and planning their growth strategy. The questions are built into the cash flow tool in the notes section on the right. Ask the client what they normally spend and ask them if they have plans to do something different in the future. Everything costs money and has dependencies. Use logic to see what needs to be done before any new plans can occur. Also, the client may need capital to make their plans happen. If their projected monthly bank balance is negative, they need capital, more sales or may need to reschedule certain expenses. It is a budget for their plan to be more profitable. The cash flow tool allows them to run scenarios. Help them choose the best path. You will need these skills whenever you consult with any type of client in the future. SCRIPT HERE

Homework:

Watch the video, if you haven’t already and practice asking the questions that will guide your client to creating their growth plan and budget for implementing your solution.

  • Cash Flow Tool
  • Cash Flow Tutorial Video

TEAM CALLS WITH WILL HOLMES BEGINS
Week of 2/20/23

Link:

 

 

 

 

Week One For Students
5pm to 6pm | Zoom Log In for Students

Topic: Meet Your Business, Understand the Need, Establish Scope and Write a Proposal
Facilitators: Tracy Akinade and Will Holmes

Agenda:

I. Updates from JHU

II. How to Advise Your Client: This week your clients are learning how to use their cash flow projections tool and to consider their exit strategy in their pricing. To prepare you to help them, we will discuss the common challenges businesses face and how to create a budget using the cash flow tool that includes aspirational investments. We will also review the Client Scope Document.

III. Student Q&A and Check-In: Let’s discuss how your meetings have gone so far. Be ready to give an update. 

Homework:

If you have not completed Homework 1, please complete it this week.

Also, you should meet with your business and discuss 3 things:

  • Their cash flow projections and how they will become more profitable.
  • Their greatest challenge and how your expertise can assist.
  • Your scope of work and what deliverables you can produce that will provide value.

Resources:

 

 


Week Two For Students
5pm to 6pm | Zoom Log In for Students

Topic: Explaining Expenses and Profit to Business Owners and Submitting Your Scope of Work 
Facilitator: Will Holmes

Agenda:

I. Updates from JHU

II. How to Advise Your Client: This week they are learning about building a sustainable business and planning for retirement. To prepare you to help them, we will discuss the path to retirement for most business owners and the importance of using the customer’s money and accessing capital to pay for scaling the business. We will also discuss the Scope of Work. You should be giving your completed Scope of Work to your assigned business this week. 

III. Student Q&A and Check-In: Let’s discuss how your meetings have gone so far. Be ready to give an update. 

Homework:

Click here for CCL Student Homework #2

Also, please do the following:

  • If you have not completed Homework 1, please complete it this week.
  • Also, you should meet with your business and submit your Scope of Work.

Resources:

 


Week Three For Students

5pm to 6pm | Zoom Log In for Students

Topic:
Facilitator: Will Holmes

Agenda:

I. Updates from JHU

II. How to Advise Your Client: This week they are learning about leading their staff and preparing their business for growth. To prepare you to help them, we will discuss some key concepts on managing a company and preparing it for sale. 

III. Student Q&A and Check-In: Let’s discuss how your meetings have gone so far. Be ready to give an update. 

Homework:

CCL Student Homework #3- Do well on your exams! Determine if you will meet with your client this week or next week. No class next week due to 2023 Spring Break. Please stay in touch with your client. You should meet with them at least once in between week 3 and 4.

Resources:

Recording from 2022 Class: Monday | Tuesday

SPRING BREAK 3/20-3/26


Week Four For Students
5pm to 6pm | Zoom Log In for Students

Topic:
Facilitator: Will Holmes

Agenda:

I. Updates from JHU

II. How to Advise Your Client: Last week they learned about marketing and this week they are learning about taxes, insurance, human resources and accounting requirements for their business. To prepare you to help them, we will discuss some essential marketing and tax concepts that business owners need to understand. 

III. Student Q&A and Check-In: Let’s discuss how your meetings have gone so far. Be ready to give an update. 

Homework:

Click here for CCL Student Homework #4

Resources:

 


Week Five For Students
5pm to 6pm | Zoom Log In for Students

Topic: Credit and Recommendations on Addressing the Greatest Challenge 
Facilitator: Will Holmes

Agenda:

I. Updates from JHU

II. How to Advise Your Client: This week, your client learned about access to capital. To prepare you to help them, we will discuss some essential credit concepts that business owners need to understand. Also, we will discuss tips on meeting deliverables for a client and addressing their greatest challenge. 

III. Student Q&A and Check-In: Let’s discuss how your meetings have gone so far. Be ready to give an update. 

Homework:

Click here for CCL Student Homework #5

The homework asks the student to list recommendations for addressing the greatest challenge.

Resources:

 


Week Six For Students
5pm to 6pm | Zoom Log In for Students

 

Topic: Preparing the Business for the Final Presentation and Delivering Final Recommendations on the Greatest Challenge
Facilitator: Will Holmes

Agenda:

I. Updates from JHU

II. How to Advise Your Client: This week, your client is working on their final presentation. To prepare you to help them, we will review their final presentation template and give tips on what judges will expect. We will also have an open discussion on your deliverables to your clients. They are due by the end of this week. 

III. Student Q&A and Check-In: Let’s discuss how your meetings have gone so far. Be ready to give an update. 

Homework:

Click here for CCL Student Homework #6

Students will be assigned a homework assignment which focuses on tips for helping the student explain the slides on the final presentation to the Business Owner. The Business Owner must complete the slides but the student should provide guidance and assistance with the numbers. Also, the student should give their final recommendations on their greatest challenge this week. 

Resources:

 

Week Seven For Students
5pm to 6pm | Zoom Log In for Students

Topic: Preparation for Business and Student Final Presentations 
Facilitator: Will Holmes

Agenda:

I. Updates from JHU

II. How to Advise Your Client: This week, your client is giving their final presentation. They should be ready at this point. Also, you should have given your client your deliverables last week but we will address any lingering questions on your deliverables. We will spend this majority of this session discussing the Student Final Presentation template.

III. Student Q&A and Check-In: Be ready to give an update on your deliverables. 

Homework:

Click here for CCL Student Homework #7 
Student Consultants will advise the Business Owner on completing their Business Presentation. Also, the Student Consultants should work together to create the Student Presentations. In the student’s final presentation, they will discuss the business’s greatest challenge, the recommendations they gave to address that challenge and their observations as the worked with the business to understand their expenses, profit, pricing and revenue projections. 

Student should schedule Team Meetings with Will Holmes to discuss and practice their final presentation. 

Resources:

 

Week Eight for Students: 2023 CCL Final Presentations for Students

Topic: CCL Student Presentations and Graduation
Facilitators: Tracy Akinade, Will Holmes & Rennard Brown

During our final 3 hour session, we will bring together all the Students for presentations. Due the number of Students and limited time, we will separate into smaller groups in virtual breakout rooms to hear the presentations. Participants can cheer on the presenters and ask questions about their growth plans. After the presentations are complete, we will have a graduation ceremony. Certificates of Completion will be sent digitally to all Participants who completed the program. 

Click here to obtain a Letter of Recommendation.