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Maze Consulting Group: Executive business consulting to improve business processes, efficiencies, and profitability. Expert in higher education doctoral socialization supported with mobile apps to improve persistence, attrition and graduation rates.
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Discovery and development of mobile apps to support the socialization of students in higher education programs, improving persistence, attrition, a...
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Recent Activity

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on May 30, 2019
Cheaper pricing has a negative connotation to it. Competitive pricing is a much better point of view. Competition and your quality product/service is the best approach.  If you want to be competitive, consider making your price competitive.  You know where your break-even point exists. Just stay... (more) Cheaper pricing has a negative connotation to it. Competitive pricing is a much better point of view. Competition and your quality product/service is the best approach.  If you want to be competitive, consider making your price competitive.  You know where your break-even point exists. Just stay above your break-even point to be competitive.  If you cannot do that, consider improving the quality of your product/service to justify the price.

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on May 21, 2019
It's complicated.  First, you need a champion inside the business to beat your proverbial business drum. If you don't know anyone inside, attend a trade show the business usually attends. It's a great opportunity to meet and greet the sales staff of the business you want to do business with. A... (more) It's complicated.  First, you need a champion inside the business to beat your proverbial business drum. If you don't know anyone inside, attend a trade show the business usually attends. It's a great opportunity to meet and greet the sales staff of the business you want to do business with. A word of caution here, be prepared to give an on the fly presentation to the sales staff. You want to give them your 3-minute elevator sales pitch. Don't go there just to swap business cards which is soon forgotten. If your pockets are deep enough, the other option is to hire a high level business consultant who has experience working with the company in the past. They can certainly get you in the front door for a formal presentation. That said, you must have some product or service they NEED or want to compliment their current product line and/services. The other option is to hire a past or present high level executive from the company who can get you in the door. I suggest you take the trade show route to learn more about the company and the challenges they face. You may have a business solution they seek. 

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on May 15, 2019
The applicability of what social media to use depends on your vision, mission, and business strategy. The vision of what your want your future customer base to look like, and the mission to retain your current customers. It is important to know the demographics of your current customer base and... (more) The applicability of what social media to use depends on your vision, mission, and business strategy. The vision of what your want your future customer base to look like, and the mission to retain your current customers. It is important to know the demographics of your current customer base and the social media they typically use searching for products and services. If you can afford it, try search engine optimization (SEO) on your business web page and the social media platform you typically use and find the answers. SEO is a great marketing tool that can provide many answers to your questions. For example, who is looking, what customers are specifically looking at, how many times they visit, how many clicks on different products/services and the list goes on. Shop around for a good price as the cost can vary significantly depending on what you're looking for in a customer.  Get competitive bids for SEO and learn what the service provider brings to the table.

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on January 30, 2019
Hello Bill, Your prospect obviously found a similar product or service to yours at a better price. Price driven prospects present a challenge.  All you can do is offer your product or service at a matching price. Unfortunately,  when you do offer a match, it shoots a big hole in your credibility... (more) Hello Bill, Your prospect obviously found a similar product or service to yours at a better price. Price driven prospects present a challenge.  All you can do is offer your product or service at a matching price. Unfortunately,  when you do offer a match, it shoots a big hole in your credibility i.e., what didn't you offer that price in the first place? I recommend you move onto your next prospect. If the problem continues with other prospects, you have a problem.  Research your competition and their pricing strategy. You will find the data on the competitor website.

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on January 29, 2019
Hello Charlie,  My company is too small for a stand alone CRM solution.  I use my smartphone calendar which is backed up in the Cloud. Keeping it simple, yet effective for now. (more) Hello Charlie,  My company is too small for a stand alone CRM solution.  I use my smartphone calendar which is backed up in the Cloud. Keeping it simple, yet effective for now.
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Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on December 07, 2018
Making more investments on infrastructure to support the launch of new core products which requires a lot of software development (R&D). 2019 will be an exciting year! (more) Making more investments on infrastructure to support the launch of new core products which requires a lot of software development (R&D). 2019 will be an exciting year!

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on December 06, 2018
I have studied connectedness for several years to establish a sense of belonging.  The best way is through face-to-face interaction. If that is not possible, leverage technology tools such as Zoom or Skype. Visit your suppliers, vendors, and your sales support staff. They have some good ideas.... (more) I have studied connectedness for several years to establish a sense of belonging.  The best way is through face-to-face interaction. If that is not possible, leverage technology tools such as Zoom or Skype. Visit your suppliers, vendors, and your sales support staff. They have some good ideas. Visit those working in production, who also have great ideas.  It would be wise to leverage social media to understand what your customers are looking for in a business solution you are or may be providing. Social interaction is the best way to understand your internal and external environment giving you a better sense of belonging to a community. Produce a great product and/or service and a sense of belonging will come soon. Customers love a winner!

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on August 10, 2018
Been busy writing my book.  Russ (more) Been busy writing my book.  Russ

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on April 26, 2018
Hello Steve, You are suggesting a one-dimensional model here to reduce expenses. The situation is much more dynamic and if you remain one-dimensional it will be a matter of time before you alienate a leg in the organization as they believe they are the only ones in the organization paying the... (more) Hello Steve, You are suggesting a one-dimensional model here to reduce expenses. The situation is much more dynamic and if you remain one-dimensional it will be a matter of time before you alienate a leg in the organization as they believe they are the only ones in the organization paying the price to reduce costs.  A 'systems' approach works best in understanding how to improve cash flows.  I would go to sales first and see why they are not producing results.  Another leg in the organization to review is billing/collections.  Finance should be able to produce some nice dashboards reflecting where the money is going, where and how much is coming in from what resource(s). Detailed processes, policies and procedures can help as well. Organizational size (SOX Compliance) and structure also impact cash flows. Best Regards, Russ

Dr. Russ from Maze Consulting Group Answered this on April 26, 2018
Hello Ginny, I believe in online training as I have attended many courses over the years seeking my doctorate.  Online training works but has its limits, primarily due to institutions writing curriculum based on in-house or onsite practices.  The audience for online training is non-traditional... (more) Hello Ginny, I believe in online training as I have attended many courses over the years seeking my doctorate.  Online training works but has its limits, primarily due to institutions writing curriculum based on in-house or onsite practices.  The audience for online training is non-traditional compared to the traditional classroom at your local university. The non-traditional student has different needs and requirements usually serving multiple personal/professional purposes.  I have used online training to learn several process driven curriculum's supporting ITIL, PMP, ISO, CSM, Prince2 and others.  With that said, I believe it works and many organizations accept the accreditation results for these non-technical classes and others.  Online training will improve over time, but for now, it saves the company travel expenses while your employees achieve their accreditation for whatever process they seek. Best Regards, Russ

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