Smart State - Business Owners Give References

We do not solicit, promote or require our Triangle business coaching clients to help us build our practice by giving testimonials or listing themselves as clients.

One of our clients explained his perspective with this question and answer "Why is it called privately held? Because it is PRIVATE." Above all, Smart State respects and honors your privacy.

As a matter of fact, we look at it this way. Owners of privately held businesses are pulled in all directions, employees, vendors, suppliers, customers, clients, government, home, church, children... owners and CEOs are always GIVING, they really have very little time for themselves... At Smart State, we try to provide that slight bit of "Me-Time" that most business owners desperately need.

Testimonials and Comments from Raleigh and Triangle Business Coach Clients.

April 2010, EOS has taken our management teams’ ability to process, systemize, delegate, and most importantly communicate to a much higher level. We have addressed existing issues, identified and addressed new issues. It has allowed me as an owner to focus on the really important aspects of the business and have confidence the day to day operational and administrative tasks are completed at a high level. Our sales are up 36% in this economy. I truly believe the focus that EOS has provided has allowed us to achieve these results. (note, when sales results are listed, we leave names off)

April 2010. I started my business 20 years ago. Since I started working with Walt Brown a year and a half ago, my business has doubled. We will probably double again this year. Walt brings a different prospective and has a keen insight into my business. We would not be where we are today without him. I uses TAB for myself and EOS for my team. It works. (note, when sales results are listed, we leave names off)

April 2010 Walt introduced EOS to our company, a large industrial contractor over a year and a half ago. We have been in business for over 48 years and have tried many business enhancement programs that just seem to always go flat after some period of time. EOS is the best! It has changed our management culture, our ownership structure (we just completed our succession plan), and the way we score and forecast our success moving forward. I would highly recommend using EOS in your business. You will not regret using this wonderful tool and I can promise it will not be shelved like so other programs in the market today. Walt is a wonderful coach and facilitator who will help keep you on track with EOS. It is well worth the investment.

TAB, my board, and your Smart State business coaching in particular have been extremely rewarding for me and I can say one of the best business decisions I made" - Steve Sewell - Raleigh Business Owner

"It is kind of amazing that we have the caliber of business coach talent here in the Triangle via Smart State. They have helped me and my team work through a tough succession issue. After 18 months in EOS after business coaching from Walt, we have made the formal announcement that I have stepped aside as Managing Partner... We had tried other assistance professionals... these guys are the only ones who delivered."
"I worked with Keith, my Triangle based business coach, to help me make some difficult decisions at a time of financial stress for my company. He effectively utilized his experience and judgment to add clarity and to give me the confidence to make some hard choices. As a result, the company was able to recover from an $800,000 loss to a $600,000 positive EBITDA."

Shail Jain President & CEO IIS

The Alternative Board (TAB) has proven to be an excellent resource to help me evolve and advance my business. One of the greatest challenges in managing and operating your business is developing perspective and getting valid and confidential advice and feedback. TAB is a great vehicle for acquiring business development tools and techniques and then working with your TAB board members to deploy those business management systems. My fellow TAB board members have offered me invaluable assistance and shared their personal experiences with me as I have similarly provided them with my insights and expertise.

"I hired Keith to help me through an emergency situation at my company that I founded 22 years ago and to coach me as I transitioned to the President & CEO role. Keith came in and rolled up his sleeves and from day one and immediately gained the trust and respect of the entire management team. He successfully guided me and the company through the emergency and transition period helping to improve the company in virtually every area. Keith cared and helped me personally as much as he cared and helped the company, an amazing coach. I feel comfortable discussing any decision with Keith. His sound judgment coupled with his vast experience helps bring clarity to the decision making process. A wonderful business coach."

Walt Brown, the leader of our TAB board, and our business coach here in Raleigh works tirelessly to provide the board with useful tools and insights. To his credit, Walt guides the board with a gentle hand while supporting the flow of ideas and thoughts among members to maximize the dynamic and the team spirit.

Among the most valuable benefits of TAB is that I have met and befriended a diverse group of peers unrelated to my industry. The vast experience and variety of perspectives that the members contribute provides great strength and energy to each and every meeting and gathering. We have been fortunate enough to bond and develop an inspired kinship forged out of the contributions we have made and received by way of TAB.

2009 was a hard year for many of us. When i look around and compare our company progress to other other companies I am familiar with, wow, having a triangle business coach and a peer board has lifted me ahead of my competitors. I'm looking forward to 2010. Raleigh, Jan, 2010

"When I represented a private software company that needed a skilled manager I chose Keith because of his breadth of management experience and his integrity. Keith did an outstanding job coaching the founder on all aspects of the business and establishing better systems and processes. I have also served on a board with Keith and he is very skilled at analyzing financial statements and raising questions before problems arise. Keith is personable, has high integrity and gets great results."

For over two years I have benefited from terrific advice, mutual respect and unequivocal support from my business coach Walt Brown and the amazing group of business owners he has assembled. Each and every month I look forward to both the one on one visits with Walt and the amazing meetings with my business board. I am now a better business owner and a more balanced person because of my participation, and I treasure these relationships.

"I am amazed at the level of expertise Keith has in all areas of business. He helped me with HR (policy, personnel issues, benefits and insurance), strategic planning, budgeting, financial management, lease negotiations, marketing, sales, budgeting, customer negotiations and worked with our attorney on several legal issues. Keith also developed a forecast/budgeting tool that enables me to immediately see the impact on my P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow of my decisions on a what-if basis and to immediately adjust forecasts based upon changing conditions."

"Walt's grasp of what it takes to motivate and organize entrepreneurs, their staff, their financials, and their strategy is uncanny. He cuts through to the core of issues as a facilitator to find out root causes, then coaches his clients toward "smart-state" practices with patience and common sense, a great business coach in all respects.” March 3, 2009

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Creative “Walt knows business, inside and out. From the numbers to the personnel issues (and everything in between) he has helped me address many thorny business issues while giving me clarity and perspective. If you are looking for a business coach, Walt can help you achieve maximum performance.” Feb 2, 2010

I sold my first software company back in 2000, took a few years off. I joined up with Walt as my business coach in 2006, in an effort to get back in the seat... with his prodding and pushing, and my board's direction, I have launched a new SAS program, we have raised a couple million as seed funding and we are off to the races.... Jan. 2010.

Walt, my business coach; “Forward thinking, entrepreneur with critical reasoning skills and a solid management foundation. Fun, and outgoing, he truly drives success through deliverables and defined roles and descriptions.” Raleigh Business Owner