The Thrive Approach
We know that when you consider using Management Consulting assistance, you have many options. That is why Thrive Partners is built around three important dimensions of differentiation that collectively enable us to deliver significant value and help our clients Thrive. We are passionate about our work and committed to your success.
Our Business Model
Thrive Partners was founded on the notion that medium and small businesses can substantially benefit from the type of management consulting assistance and perspectives commonly provided to top Fortune 500 companies, but through a high touch, value-focused, more economical delivery model.
Thrive Partners' approach to consulting is built around several key operating principles:
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Provision of big consulting company perspectives and capabilities at value driven rates, with a willingness to align our financial incentives through at risk fees
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Project leadership by experienced, successful management consulting and business executives
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A virtual network of subject matter experts to lend to the problem at hand
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A high touch model of consulting, involving local resources with customer interaction skills and sensitivities
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Frameworks and POVs to bring to the table, to facilitate quick starts and discussions
Our approach to all consulting work recognizes the inter-connectedness of business operations components and addresses project objectives in the context of what we call the Business Operations Framework.
Thus, even though we may be focused on one aspect of the business, we are always sensitive to its potential positive or negative impact on the entire business.
Our People
Thrive Partners is well positioned to create value for you as a result of our three component People Model.
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Experienced Management Consulting Skillset and Perspectives as found in our Managing Directors and Founders
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Deep Industry and Functional Skills Found in our Advisors
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Proficient Skills and Capabilities Found in our Consultants
All consultants and advisors operate under demanding quality standards and with experienced project management and oversight.
Our Value Model
Thrive Partners takes each project as an individual case, striving to construct the best possible mutually beneficial value framework for the situation at hand. We have several levers to use to do this.
• Value driven – outcomes based
At the outset of all projects, Thrive Partners places a priority on clearly articulating desired outcomes for the project, including identifying metrics for success. All efforts are aligned to those desired outcomes, and all decisions and options are considered in that context. Furthermore, Thrive Partners always strives to identify what is required from you to make projects successful and is dedicated to indicating what next steps are necessary to drive project findings through to implementation.
• Tailored project structure to your needs and situation
We place a high value on delivering value through a delivery model that aligns with your needs and culture. We can engage with you in multiple capacities. These various approaches to our work can be combined as appropriate or sequenced, based on the specific needs of a given client and business situation. Typical approaches include:
Traditional Consulting Project: A consulting effort that involves the collection of pertinent internal and external data, evaluation in the context of project objectives, and the definition of a strategy/plan/model to guide future efforts. These projects typically run between one to four months, depending on the scope and complexity of the project.
Workshop: A short project duration that involves assembling key stakeholders in a facilitated one to three day session through which the issues, opportunities and/or actions related to the project can be clearly outlined and documented. The consulting team prepares workshop content before the session and packages up outcomes from the session in order to increase the impact of the meeting. This approach is effective at providing quick starts to important initiatives and driving group consensus to a new direction. It is typically followed by more detailed work.
Program Management: Another form of ongoing support, typically selected to help guide complex efforts or implementations. Clients utilize this model when they feel their employees do not have the sufficient time needed to dedicate to successful program management, an important element of driving outcomes whose importance to affecting change is often under-estimated.
“Acting Executive”: Occasionally our clients have a gap in the Management team, because they are a new company, they have had an unexpected departure, or because part of the company is changing and a new role has been created. For a period of time, Thrive Partners can place one or more individuals into an “Acting Executive” role to help drive business results as a day to day member of the executive team. We can also assist in the search for a replacement during that time. These types of arrangements are typically 3 to 12 months.
Retained Advisor – This is an ongoing model for providing selective input and guidance to you and/or your management team around important topics. This is typically done primarily in person, although can also involve phone or video conference time as well. Clients who utilize this model typically engage for 2 to 4 hours of time per week over a period of multiple months, though any form of arrangement can be designed to serve your needs.
Executive Search: A model for assistance that focuses on identifying roles, role descriptions and sourcing candidates for key management positions.
• Appropriate staffing and expertise
We place a high value on delivering results and subsequently all staff and advisors are selected based on their relevance to your business needs and are aligned to your project objectives. We have an extensive network of expert advisors to call upon to augment our project teams in order to deliver the greatest impact. We believe this virtual network helps us to optimize project teams to specific client situations without the need to employ a huge employee base to cover anticipated needs.
• Reasonable rates for high level skills, along with controlled expenses
Our company was founded on an operating model that minimizes our overhead, allowing us to provide guidance and expertise to you at very competitive rates. Furthermore, our geographical focus allows us to minimize the need to pass through expensive travel costs to our clients.
• Willingness to put some fees at risk to align our interests
Thrive Partners believes that consulting value is best optimized when the consultant’s and client’s financial incentives are aligned. We are willing to take portions of our fees at risk through either stock grants or risk based metrics that penalize or reward based on measurable project outcomes and or client satisfaction.