Value has always been important, this year has raised the priority on ensuring that it is not just talked about but also measurably delivered. Simmons & White will show you how getting close to customers is the smartest investment sales leaders can make right now. Understanding the challenges your customers are facing will help you uncover these new opportunities.

At S&W we solve how to:

• Improve Sales Force Productivity
• Transition from Product-led to Solution- Led Selling
• Protect & Grow Strategic Accounts
• Win High Value & Complex Deals
• Improve Sales Forecast

We focus on issues that are fundamental to any business:

• Viable business plans
• Solid financial models
• Successful marketing and sales
• Efficient operations
• Timely distribution
• Effective executive team
• Cohesive organizational development
• Necessary funding

We assess the strength and viability of any product or service company by scrutinizing its assumptions, timelines, objectives, operational plans, and financials.

Our strength lies in our ability to understand the full spectrum of a company’s business dynamics. We achieve success by applying our wisdom and experience, coupled with supportive interaction with our clients and commitment to excellence.

At the end of the day, Simmons & White measures its success through the achievements of its clients.

• Mergers, Acquisitions, and Sales
• Financial Statements
• Estate and gift taxes
• Income taxes

Simmons & White provides professional executive services to fill-in any gaps that may occur temporarily or provide project specific support. Our consultants will augment your executive staff to ensure your company successfully reaches its goals.

A turnaround leader is typically brought in by the board or the bank with the authority to take whatever action is necessary to fix a company’s problems. If the turnaround expert has less than a full mandate, the effort required to obtain buy-in from key constituencies can be great. Stakeholders, including lenders, suppliers, shareholders, employees, or management, will try to protect their interest if they feel those interests are threatened.

To positively influence stakeholders and key constituencies, the turnaround leader must build consensus and support from within the organization. Frequent and consistent are essential to setting the tone. Identification of employee leaders to communicate specific initiatives can greatly expedite the execution of the turnaround plan.

Educating stakeholders on why the plan’s initiatives are critical to the success of the restructuring process. The turnaround professional must play multiple roles, from educator (what factors limit the company’s short-term options) to motivator (encouraging employees) to counselor.

The turnaround leader must define realistic and achievable goals and communicate them to constituencies. Forecasting cash flow and operating results are among the most important aspects of the turnaround leader’s functions. Meeting these goals is a form of communication that builds trust and goodwill. Missing forecasts destroys credibility and eliminates a company’s ability to favorably influence results.

Effective and open communication with stakeholders is critical to success. The result can be an efficient well-run business positioned to compete profitably.

The panel also suggested that public technology companies will start acquiring smaller companies again, in the interest of staying competitive. For example, with Google’s recent acquisition of AdMob Inc., a mobile ad network, for $750 million in stock, every other media company is realizing that they will have to acquire innovation just to keep up.

Other panelists said promising new industry segments are emerging. With the proliferation of social media and government spending on healthcare software and cleantech, angel investors will have ample opportunities in emerging business areas.

Investors will be looking for start-ups that can go a long way on a small budget. For cleantech that means a focus on material sciences, software and thermoelectrics. Other panelists said new communications platforms like Twitter have sparked a revolution of real-time content sharing that will spawn hundreds of new companies and provide lucrative returns.

The conclusion was that 2010 will be a time of opportunity for angels.

The term “angel” originated in the early 1900s and referred to investors who made risky investments to support Broadway theatrical productions. Today, the term “angel” refers to high-net worth individuals, or “accredited investors,” who typically invest in and support start-up companies in their early stages of growth.

Angel groups offer accredited angel investors the opportunity to invest in and help build successful companies – while also having a good time. Every group is different in terms of investment strategy and culture, but Angel groups offer interested investors a variety of benefits such as:

1. An expectation of a significant return on their investment.
2. A disciplined approach to investing imposed by a both the due diligence process and the diversity of expertise provided by a group of members with various backgrounds.
3. Lower risks by diversification of investments.
4. Social benefits in meeting and working with other successful individuals. Participation in the screening, due diligence or monitoring teams is an enjoyable, educational and rewarding experience.
5. A strong sense of satisfaction from aiding and mentoring entrepreneurs.
6. Investments Louisiana businesses may qualify for Louisiana Tax Credits such as the Digital Interactive Media Credits and other Louisiana incentive programs.