The following steps are suggestions to give you proof that George May employees are not being honest with you.
1)Ask all employees about their background in our industry. They have been instructed to tell you that they have training and background...but they do not.
Most employees have a very short work history in consulting, and have not been successful in pervious businesses.
2) You really do not have a method to check the data provided about your business by George May. The employees have been instructed to 'make mistakes' in the financial presentations, to ensure that you think they know what your problems may be, and have solutions that work. Before you spend $10,000's, take the data to a 3rd party, such as your accountant or banker, and ask them to verify the numbers and assumptions.
3)When an invoice is presented for inbound and outbound travel, ask why the last or next client is not paying for at least one of the airline tickets. The employees will say that you will be refunded if another client pays, this is unlikely. Just refuse to pay.
4)Have a 3rd party exaimine the 'contract' and/or 'program' before you sign. The employees are instructed to use high pressure for you to sign without giving you time to get advice or think things over. The employees will say that you can close the project at the end of any day; but you could be billed for $10,000 if three employees showup, and will not leave until the end of the second day, with alot of expenses included.
It is clear to me that if a small business needs some outside advice to correct problems, the logical direction is to find someone that has a backgound in you industry. Industry groups or vendors may give you a lead. Forget about the promised savings from George May, they will not happen while they are working, and will not respond if you do not realize the promised savings.
Ask what results can be promised for a specfic dollar amount. $5,000-nothing, $10,000 nothing, $15,000 nothing, George May wants alot more money than you are thinking about spending. And once you start, it is very, very difficult to stop the meter from running. BE VERY CAREFUL.
One day of consultants can cost you $10,000 with all related inbound and outbound expenses. George May will say that they cannot provide any deliverables in 1 day. George May is very expensive for a small business.
Buyer Beware
Chuck
Park Ridge, Illinois
U.S.A.