I can see why you are so successful and am so very motivated. Your ability to size up a total stranger is very impressive. You really zoned right in to my core and focused on exactly what I need. You truly have a gift! Thank you so much for your wisdom, your experience and your time. I am so looking forward to bringing your guidance to light.

-- Lynn Jereb
thinkinc.

 

With so many responsibilities as a small business owner, Andy was able to sift through to the most important action items and drive me to take action and responsibility. His candor and knowledge cuts right to point and makes decisions a “do-it” / “don’t-do-it” action.

-- Ryan Gerber, Vice President
Dimensional Media

 

Upon hiring Andy Birol, I immediately knew that ‘Trusting’ someone else was going to be the key to transforming a company I thought I knew everything about. I trusted the process, by trusting Andy. Looking back in time, I’m astounded by the moves that we are now making. I now have a new mission, a new dream and a new way to work toward it. My trusting in Andy is the best thing I ever did.

-- Mark Bassett
Bassett Sprinkler

 

 

Andy was our guest speaker at the CAMP BUILD Roundtable, a group of entrepreneurs and service professionals dedicated to the startup and growth of technology-oriented businesses in NE Ohio. [He] led the group in a spirited, interactive dialog on a wide variety of [business] topics. Andy's expertise, knowledge, humor, and "real-world" experience resulted in an extremely informative and entertaining program.

-- Wayne P. Zeman, Vice President, Venture Development
CAMP, Inc.

 

After reading your article in [a] prior newsletter (the copier company that established a tiered service plan...) I was newly inspired and actually got the ball rolling. It was an extremely valuable and broadening exercise, and frankly I owe you and your fine article (and PACER process) much credit.

-- Joe Egan

 

There’s no doubt that entrepreneurs will benefit from meeting with Andy.

-- Chad Barr
CB Software

 

The best part of working with Andy is that he's a fun-loving guy. And he cuts to the core of the matter. He doesn't take you through a process of self-discovery. He brings you to a point of awareness, where you identify what you need to do and are ready to take action. That's what gets results.

-- Paul Cervelloni
Cervelloni Services, Inc.

 

Andy is very direct and very tough. He forces me to get objective and serious about what's important to our business and coaches me to make decisions.

-- John Massie
WITTCO Standard

 

We’ve gained a deeper understanding of our own company. And we give Andy the credit. He’s charismatic and easy to work with, but the best thing is that he’s always ‘outside the box’.

-- Shane Reynolds
Flor-Line Midwest

 

Andy helped us focus on where we’ve been and where we should be going. He’s given us a sense of place—a niche and position in the marketplace—and clarity about the future.

-- Bruce Felber
Felber and Felber Marketing

 

Andy challenges you to innovate. He finds creative solutions to any problem.

-- Ken Hughes
Garland Floor

 

Andy’s value is that he stirs things up. It’s one thing to identify and designate, another to implement. [Andy] is a call to action.

-- Scott Moss
Easy2 Technologies

 

We are on pace to double our business this year and our biggest area of growth is in the market Andy helped us identify. He’s the one who urged us to go for it. He’s down to earth, he’s funny, and he tells you exactly what he thinks, which I appreciate.

-- Gene Mitocky
EMMCO, Inc.

 

Andy’s exuberant style, passion and content energized our audience and customers. I recommend Andy for any group of business owners who want to grow.

-- Lora Toporowski
Microsoft

 

Andy’s presentation was informative, compelling, practical. His Rock and Roll references really connected with the entrepreneurs in our membership.

-- Ken Zacharias, Director of Industry Affairs
National Paint and Coating Association

 

Andy is a great cheerleader for a small business. I am motivated just listening to him.

-- Hector Barreto, Administrator
US Small Business Administration

 

What I now have is a very clear concept of where I need to go. My architects are booked months in advance and this allows me the ability to more clearly define my firm's direction and objectives.

-- Rick Siegfried, Owner
RSA Architects

 

It was a difficult situation due to frustration among employees, but Andy made it clear to all involved that he was there for the good of the overall company, not any group within the company. He was not shy about telling anyone, including the owner John Berger, the 'straight scoop'.

-- Christina Urbank, Director of Sales & Marketing
Maradyne Corporation

 

Andy interviewed management to assess all roles in the company; traveled with the sales force to understand customer and sales rep strengths and weaknesses-- opportunities and threats.

-- John Berger, President
Dreison International

 

You have to be willing to make hard decisions and take action if you're going to hire Andy Birol. If you are looking to tear your business down to its basic building blocks and rebuild it with your own best interest and your clients' in mind, go for it!

-- Rebecca Morgan, President
Fulcrum ConsultingWorks, Inc.

 

Your candid assessment confirmed many things I had already recognized in the back of my head but was simply unwilling to address. Your valuable objectivity and considerable expertise helped cement several objectives that have long needed to be addressed.

-- Bonnie J. Hilliard, Owner
Class Act Copywriting/PR

 

We hired Andy Birol to serve as an expert witness in evaluating corporate growth issues and in placing a dollar value on work our client had contributed toward a successful acquisition. He was responsive, creative, and every inch a team player. Any was not only able to place a convincing, analytically tight valuation on our client's work, but also did so in a way that was readily understandable to a jury.

-- Suzanne DeWalt
Metz, Lewis

 

After reading Andy’s article on finding your best and highest use, I thought I had a good handle on where my value was, but I didn’t. I needed to call my clients and ask them what I do best to define my company and myself. By refocusing on what it is I do best for my clients I understand my strengths and can price myself accordingly. It’s about looking ahead instead of looking only in your rear view mirror.

-- Frederick A. Dugach, President
FAD Consulting Services

 

I consider Andy to be my mentor. When I was doing something badly, he came down hard but when I was doing well, he was full of praise. I’m very confident that he can help me in the future. Andy taught me that a much more simple business planning was more effective for me than a 20 page business plan.

-- Fred Elabed, President
ROI Supply

 

Andy helped narrow our problems into three or four issues and prioritized them. We hired someone whose insight helped us clarify understanding, to prioritize, to go for different options. I wasn't asking him to solve our problems. I asked him to identify them, which is what he accomplished quite successfully.

-- John Turk, President / CEO
Western Management, Inc.

 

The term graphic design is so cold. I really control the message and focus the way my clients communicate. But what do I call myself, and how do I define what I do? Andy helped me to create a tagline and get people to listen quickly, and then they're right on board. You can be running so far in one direction that you forget where you started. Andy helped me see why and where I started.

-- Alison Crawford, Sole proprietor
Crawford Design

 

When small companies get consulting they're usually unhappy because it's hard to tie expense to return. But we were very happy with the results. Andy understood that we weren't building a $50 million enterprise. We weren't expecting him to take over the world. He was well focused, satisfying and met our expectations and allowed us to go forward finding new customers in a reasonable fashion.

-- Charles Mintz, President
Neighborhood Manufacturing

 

As an owner of a company, of course you think you’re doing everything right, although you may not see the results you’re looking for. We were trying to compete with large national agencies, but now we are focusing on companies with 500 employees and less—the type of client we serve best.

-- Tia Ramlow, President
Professional Employment Services

 

The problem was, I am a sales person not a marketing person. I had a special need to develop marketing plans and learn how to focus my energy. There has to be a time to talk to someone in confidence, share frustrations. I appreciate Andy’s input, particularly in setting priorities and reminding me of what's important for us to make the sales and what doesn't really matter.

-- Michael Cremeans, VP
Western Management, Inc.

 

I hired Andy at VTE and he invented tools that radically reduced sales acquisition cost. Now Andy has written The 5 Catalysts of 7 Figure Growth and presents his ideas in a straightforward user-friendly and often rollicking style. I heartedly recommend The Five Catalysts for any owner or investor in small business.

-- Wayne Wills
Voice-Tell Enterprises & BNE

 

We hired Andy Birol to help increase Pease & Associates' marketing activities. Through working with him, I became convinced to restructure my organization, reinforce my infrastructure and drive my staff to meet higher expectations. Andy helped us to recognize our personal objectives and strengths and create a working environment designed to maximize growth. I am more enthusiastic about Pease and Associates than ever.

-- Joe Pease, President
Pease & Associates

 

As we prepare to deal with competition in the electric industry, Andy helped us to envision a new way to understand our customers better, what they are worth, and their strategic importance to the company.

-- Residential Market Strategy Team
First Energy Corporation

 

Andy's 'can do' attitude and strong follow-through have produced leads exceeding our goals. He produced enormously successful results and brought a well-orchestrated approach to growing our business. Frankly, he surprised everyone with what can be accomplished in business-to-business marketing.

-- Seth Harris, Marketing Manager
IBM Corporation

 

Andy helped us focus on assessing the success of a new product offering in a new market. He provided an independent view of real business problems with a clear focus. He always gave our business top priority.

-- John Milgram, President
Western Management, Inc.

 

We've been successful, but we needed to move to the next level of sophistication in finding, keeping and growing more customers. Andy brought process, structure, and new analytical thinking to our sales and marketing efforts. We now have better tracking and measurement of our sales and marketing tactics relating to our overall business goals.

-- John Finucane, Managing Director
Partnerships

 

Andy continues to be a continual resource for new ideas. I get a good sounding board, and either the advice I need or direction to someone who knows the answer. He helps me avoid wasting time and energy and is very good at helping me find what my company is really good at and focusing on that.

-- Mark Bogomolny, President
Landmark Products Corporation

 

Working with Andy Birol and Birol Growth Consulting was a highly-productive experience. Andy brought a process to organizing and completing our business development efforts.

-- Jeff Hanson, Acting CEO
ConnectSpace.com

 

I heartily endorse the PACER Process. It's the best way to develop a relationship with customers. Andy is extraordinarily perceptive. He easily identified issues that needed immediate attention.

-- Gary Bodnar, President
Actel Cellular

 

Andy is someone I can share my successes and defeats with and he will refocus me. He is someone who can give input and vision and focus and get me back on track. He may tick you off at times, but when he leaves, you know he was right.

-- Andy Zahuranec, President
WinPro Industries Inc.