Jon and Joyanne Bond
Bond Printing Company
Hanover, Massachusetts

I only wish I had gotten involved with the Alliance earlier. I think the three most important things you had us do were:

• 1) Set up and live by a budget;
• 2) Set up an organization chart and
• 3) Fix our financials so they are accurate.

Living by the budget has paid off big time. Our largest customer decided to do all their work in Mexico and had we not been living by a budget, adjusted every 6 months, I think we'd be out of business.

The organization chart has caused me to focus on the two areas where I need to spend my time as general manager and sales manager. Joyanne has taken over the work of treasurer and is staying on top of the financials. Our new production manager is being trained in the duties of a production manager and keeps a close watch on the shop.

Over all, the atmosphere is much calmer here as everyone knows their job. Having accurate financials gives us a real roadmap as to where we're going. Since they are prepared every month it's easy to adjust.

I'm also very appreciative of the fact that just about everything your team told us to do to improve our situation has proven to be correct. I didn't always accept the suggestion right away, but over time you have proven to be correct. Maybe I'm just a slow learner. As you know, we've signed up for two more years and look forward to further growth in our knowledge of how to run a business at a profit and reduce our stress.

Which brings up another point, we are now able to pay our bills on time. Creditors don't call anymore!