Client Advocacy is our Business
I-BN is a NETWORK of independent consultants, executives and advisors that does not represent any software publisher. Members of our NETWORK are highly skilled experts in a variety ERP and CRM products. The combined team has numerous vendor relationships that provides the requisite access, knowledge and experience so we can serve our clients without allegiance to any product.
We advocate for YOUR best interest as a neutral third party or temporary member of your team. The outsider’s experience and objective perspective help you make the best decisions for your business.
What is a CxO?
A CxO is an experienced executive that leads a department, team or initiative for a period of time. A Chief (fill in the blank) officer becomes a member of your team who is accountable for an objective. Sometimes it is a once in a “blue moon” activity like choosing or implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Alternatively, you may have an unfilled executive position and are having difficulty finding the right person. The CxO can fill the gap and help you transition to the right level of in-house staffing.
Our Network of executives includes individuals who have filled the roles of:
- Chief Information Officer
- Chief Technology Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Executive Officer
- VP of Marketing and Sales
These roles are filled on an interim basis. Our executives have “been there” and “done that” and engage with no agenda or objectives other than those of your ownership team. Previous engagements include:
- Private equity or venture capital firm consolidation of multiple companies within an industry.
- A company recognizes the strategic nature of upsizing its ERP platform and wants external experience for driving change.
- After migrating to the cloud anticipated benefits were not realized and an independent advisor is desired to broaden beyond the platform capabilities.
Mentoring for Growth and Quality
Smaller companies often have limited time and few leaders with the ability to grow internal leaders. With a team of former industry, publisher and consulting executives we provide retainer access to executives based upon a specified capacity level. A sample of services include:
- Shadow a program manager in their new role.
- Mentor a new executive with scheduled and ad-hoc calls.
- Sit in on Board or Steering Committee meetings
Scoped of Work in Well Defined Sprints
Projects are defined with SMART goals to achieve one or more business objectives. Based upon your Vision, projects are prioritized and organized on a Journey Map that leads to the planned future state. As you get closer to each guidepost on the map projects are defined, scoped, staffed and planned. On a well defined Journey, I-BN can find the appropriate people or partners to augment your staffing with:
- Project Managers
- Designers
- Consultants, and
- Partner Organizations
When properly scoped we can offer time bound, fixed fee services with a high degree of consistency, confidence and value. Our services pages give examples of projects we perform with a cost basis and staffing levels. Engagements are tailored to company preferences along with their complexity, industry, size, staffing and duration.
Our Most Valuable Projects
We provide direct client services only in the areas where we add the greatest value. Having served as executives in various industries as both customer and service provider we understand how and where we excel. Leverage our experience, expertise and Network to get extreme multipliers in return as we transfer knowledge to your organization.
Vision
We help you explore your ideal future state. Then we capture the information in new ways to help you communicate the Vision and motivate your team to achieve new heights.
Architect
We help you identify and prioritize the actions required to make that vision a reality. These projects are viewed as a Journey with guideposts mapped out over time.
Design
Major projects require varying levels of design before construction. Larger team based projects work best with a Team Charter and Business Blueprints that make the high level and detail designs for development whether perfromed in rapid or traditional methodologies.
Our clients love working with us, just read what they have to say!
insights
Business insights and articles written by our team of world-class professionals
Finish Line? How to Know Before You Commit
Part 3 of 3 — The AI ROI Series In Part 1, we covered the green flags; conditions where AI is likely to deliver real ROI. In Part 2, we covered the red flags; the conditions that quietly sink AI
Red Flags: When AI Will Cost You More Than It Saves
Part 2 of 3 — The AI ROI Series In Part 1, we looked at the conditions where AI genuinely earns its keep. High volume, consistent tasks, low error stakes, and labor costs that clearly exceed tool costs. When those
4 Green Flags: When AI Is Worth the Conversation
Part 1 of 3 — The AI ROI Series Recently, I presented an AI built Return on Investment (ROI) calculator at the IT Alliance Spring Collaborative in Indianapolis. The session was called, AI in Action. The feedback was very positive,
Package-Based Digital Transformation
Package based digital transformation can be defined as using an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as the core for modernizing operations with technology. Packaged based digital transformation utilizes the best systems for your business, connected by modern technology for optimizing