Corporate Business Solutions, Inc.

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2015/07/28) */
Contact Name and Title: ClientSRV
Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Contact Email: ***@clientsrv.com
Corporate Business Solutions (CBS) provides management consulting and business development services to small and medium sized privately
held business ownersCBS does not provide any sales or advertising services to private parties or businessesWe searched our database and we have no records of doing business with Ms*** *** *** and Diesel RepairWe believe that Ms*** filed her complaint against our company inadvertently and we ask that she withdraws the complaint immediatelyWe also request that Revdex.com removes the complaint from CBS's profile to ensure it does not affect its rating
Initial Consumer Rebuttal /* (2000, 7, 2015/07/31) */
(The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
If they have searched their records and find no business name of the company then I am satisfied

CBS requested that ClientSRV investigate Mr***s complaint regarding his experience with its personnel. ClientSRV determined that there were several misunderstandings that led to the acrimonious telephone call that occurred. Mr***s perception that CBS seeks out stacompanies
is incorrect. In fact, CBS generally avoids companies that are in their infancy as a general rule. From their experience well established companies are better able to utilize the management tools provided by CBS to optimize their business. The initial sales call was an informational meeting that resulted in an agreement to conduct a business analysis for a fee of $850.00. If Mr*** was not satisfied with the completion of the analysis he was under no obligation to continue his relationship with CBS. Mr*** chose to engage CBS to provide consulting services. Mr*** was only obligated to pay for the services provided by CBS and was entitled to cancel the engagement on any given day. CBS maintains business hours of operation and a telephonic answering system for after hour calls. It also accepts cancellations via facsimile and e-mail. The telephone conversation between Ms*** and Mr*** was an unfortunate event for both parties The language used by both parties will not be repeated in this forum. The CBS employee that participated in that conversation has been counseled regarding her aberrant behavior. Furthermore, the discipline that was administered has become a permanent part of her personnel file. CBS takes this matter very seriously and provides for discipline to include the possibility of termination. The day after the telephone conversation, ClientSRV received a copy of an apology that the CBS employee sent to Mr*** and his response to the same. In addition, on March 25, CBS and Mr*** executed a settlement agreement and mutual release which resolved their issues regarding the cost of services and the resulting conversation. A copy of those e-mails as well as a copy of the settlement agreement is available for your review upon requestWe consider this complaint to be resolved at this time

Complaint: ***
I am rejecting this response because: This company has no idea what procedures, systems, processes I adopted from their original recommendations They have not been back to see what * *** has or has not implemented They sent an analyst out here t through SMS to look at all my material All he examined was the Enhancement Reviews completed by the consultant and recommended I sell the businessThere was no examination of the procedures * *** implemented Two weeks ago I received another phone call stating another analyst was scheduled to arrive on May 24th Nobody showed and no phone calls to rescheduleI thought maybe I had the wrong week but nobody showed up the following week eitherI have no idea what they are trying to accomplish, but I was led to believe they were going to review my forms and Profit /Loss to evaluate my situationNo correspondence at all for the missed meeting. I did not complain about how the finance was arranged, my complaint is how they thought a company in my position could afford a $60,programThey take advantage of a desperate situationYes, they use bully tacticsEvery employee was aggressiveThe last visit the man insisted I make a decision immediately CBS can say all they want about their commitment to help businesses but my experience was not positive. I truly feel they did not consider fully * ***'s finance situation but rather arrogantly tried to implement their processes thinking all businesses fit the "model" and metrics they claim are successful.
Sincerely,
Jeannine ***

Initial Business Response /* (1000, 11, 2015/09/15) */
Corporate Business Solutions, Inc. (CBS) wishes to apologize to Mr. Aldefer for the delay in filing this response. As happens on occasion, our reliance on technology to advise us of client concerns about issues that need to be addressed was...

misplaced. CBS did not receive the notifications from the Revdex.com and therefore did not respond in a timely fashion. We are presently working with the Revdex.com to address our communications issues and it appears as though the appropriate "fix" will be in place shortly. Upon receipt of Mr. [redacted] complaint yesterday, records for the consulting engagement were secured from the off-site storage facility and interviews with Alan [redacted] Project Manager, Dan [redacted], Business Consultant, and Dan [redacted] Consulting Services Director, were conducted. In addition, the records of the client relations division of ClientSRV were reviewed concerning the 2:1 Assurance.
We discovered that Mr. [redacted] executed an agreement to retain the consulting services of CBS on February 25, 2015. The project was projected to take 175 hours to complete, encompassing [redacted] for management, with an emphasis on operational measurements, funded incentives and auto sanctions. On February 26th the Project Manager and Business Consultant arrived and prepared a scope of work, referred to as a Value Enhancement Program (VEP), with the assistance and approval of Mr. Aldefer. This 10 page document was provided to S&L, Fasteners, LLC (S&L) to assist them in monitoring the progress of the project and as a reference manual for their use after the project had been completed. On February 27th the Project Manager and Business Consultant reviewed this document with Mr. [redacted] and received his approval to implement. Please understand that there were three areas to be addressed: 1) Financial Controls and Planning, 2) Controlling Costs & Enhancing Profits, 3) Operational Effectiveness & Accountability. In each of the three areas there were numerous sub-categories in need of attention. A copy of the signature page of the contract and the VEP is provided for your review.
The Business Consultant recalls repairing one program offsite and returning the repaired program to Mr. [redacted] He did not recall ever receiving any further notification of issues from Mr. [redacted] In cases such as this, where it is apparent that the client's concerns cannot be verified from our records and personnel, it is our policy to require our staff to return to the client's place of business to verify the concerns and address the same.
Consulting is, in essence, the transfer of knowledge from one individual to another. Just as there are no guarantees of a long and prosperous existence, there are no guarantees that clients will implement the advice they receive from consultants as it was intended when delivered. This fact is highlighted in bold-faced type in our contracts. What CBS does offer to clients is an assurance. Clients that complete a consulting engagement are assured that they will receive a 2:1 return on their investment in consulting fees, over the course of the following 12 months. In order to monitor a client's progress and ensure that issues are addressed as early as possible, we require clients to provide monthly financial information.
It is apparent from Mr. [redacted] submission that he was in contact with CBS personnel on several occasions after the project was completed. It is also apparent that CBS personnel were trying to assist him on many occasions. What is not portrayed by Mr. [redacted] can be found in the very last weekly summary number six, also referred to as "Value Enhancement Review 6," and the letter he signed regarding his experience. Both of these documents are provided for your review.
Despite Mr. [redacted] high ratings, praise, subsequent dissatisfaction, and failure to provide monthly financial information, CBS would like to meet with Mr. [redacted] and attempt to address all of his issues. We do understand that he has expressed his desire to avoid that possibility. Quite frankly, given his desired resolution, CBS requires such a meeting prior to considering his request. Our information is not supportive of what he has described in his complaint and we need verification that all of his issues exist before making any decision. As always, if Mr. [redacted] prefers, CBS will voluntarily submit this matter for arbitration, either through the expeditious process of the Revdex.com or as contractually allowed through the AAA.

To make sure all issues are resolved in a timely and satisfactory manner, Corporate Business Solutions, Inc. [redacted] has retained the services of ClientSRV, LLC (ClientSRV) to assist clients in resolving their concerns.    ClientSRV discovered that Mr. [redacted] executed an agreement to...

retain the consulting services of [redacted] on November 10, 2015.  The project was projected to take 242 hours to complete, which was broken down into three phases.  The first phase was to encompass cash management, second phase was to cover finances and operations, and the third phase was to cover sales.  On November 11, a Project Manager and a Business Consultant arrived and prepared a scope of work, referred to as a Value Enhancement Program (VEP).  This document outlined a plan to assist Concepts in Concrete in monitoring the progress of the engagement and as a reference manual for their use after the project had been completed.  On the second day of the engagement, November 12, 2015, the Project Manager and Business Consultant arrived at Mr. [redacted] place of business and were informed by the client over the phone that he no longer wished to continue the engagement.  According to the Agreement for Services executed by Mr. [redacted], “client may conclude or recess an engagement, at the end of any business day by so informing the SPM or [redacted] on premise; at the same time presenting to the SPM or [redacted] a check for all fees and expenses due through the end of the business day of termination…”  An invoice for the two days of services in the amount of $17,824.02 was left at the office.  No payment was issued at the time and the file was turned over to [redacted]’ corporate collections department for collection.   In his complaint, Mr. [redacted] claims that [redacted]’ representatives promised solutions to their financial problems and a cash flow report for their business.  [redacted] agrees with Mr. [redacted] statement, however, it is unreasonable for Mr. [redacted] to expect [redacted] to deliver services, estimated to require 242 hours to complete, within two days of beginning the engagement.  [redacted] was not able to deliver the services Mr. [redacted] requested because of his premature termination of [redacted] services.  [redacted] strongly disagrees with Mr. [redacted] statement alleging that [redacted] took advantage of their small business and for charging them for services that were not rendered.  [redacted] arrived at Concept in Concrete pursuant to the Agreement for Services Mr. [redacted] executed on November 10, 2015.   Mr. [redacted] was only charged for two days of work, which is consistent with the “Fees” clause outlined in the Agreement for Services.   ClientSRV personnel audited [redacted] expenses that the Senior Project Manager and Senior Business Consultant billed to Concepts in Concrete.  Although many of [redacted]’s consultants receive free upgrades due to their frequent travels, we did notice the expenses on the invoice presented to Concepts in Concrete were relatively high.  We were informed that the receipts were already provided to Mr. [redacted] and have them available if Mr. [redacted] requires an additional copy.   In conclusion, we understand Mr. [redacted] concerns and appreciate the opportunity to address them.  Although we believe [redacted] acted in accordance with the Agreement for Services, we have encouraged them to consider resolving this matter as follows:  Reduce the amount of the Invoice issued to Concept in Concrete to reflect billing for one consultant and one-half of the expenses.  If Mr. [redacted] agrees to issue a payment for one consultant’s time ($7,000.00) and half of the expenses ($1,912.01), [redacted] will agree to write off the remaining balance of $8,912.01.    If Mr. [redacted] does not agree with [redacted]’ proposal, he is encouraged to contact ClientSRV and discuss any reasonable alternatives.  If a mutually acceptable resolution is not achieved, [redacted] is willing to submit this matter to arbitration with the American Arbitration Association, as provided in the Agreement for Services.

Jeannine [redacted] is the owner of [redacted] Sales in Los Angeles, California. On March 9, 2016 she asked CBS to conduct a business analysis on her business.  As a result of that analysis, Ms. [redacted] contracted for management consulting services.  The original agreement called for 120 hours of...

consulting at the rate of $350.00 per person assigned per hour, plus reasonable travel related expenses and a per diem of $62.00 per day.  With Ms. [redacted]’s approval, the consulting engagement ran 221 hours of which she paid 219 of those hours.  At the end of the consulting engagement Ms. [redacted] expressed her opinion of the services CBS provided in a letter.  She praised the work of the consultant, as she had done each and every week throughout the engagement, and criticized the payment model.  On April 27, 2016, personnel from ClientSRV contacted Ms. [redacted] for the purposes of discussing her letter.  Once more, Ms. [redacted] complimented the actual work performed by CBS and complained that the payment methodology was too fast.  ClientSRV arranged for her to speak with CBS collection personnel who initiated the weekly installment plan to accommodate [redacted]’s ability to pay.  In addition, ClientSRV personnel explained the Assurance Program, detailing the reports that [redacted] would be required to submit.  CBS records indicate that they failed to receive any reports from [redacted]. Prior to receiving Ms. [redacted]’s Revdex.com complaint, CBS had been in communication with her attempting to arrange a return visit.  On April 11, 2017, CBS met with Ms. [redacted] to review [redacted]’s progress.  Several areas were reviewed, including but not limited to, Sales and Marketing, Financial Management, Operations, and Non-Project related conditions.  In the area of Sales and Marketing, CBS was to develop a product launch.  Ms. [redacted] agreed that it had been completed and executed by [redacted].  CBS was also tasked with creating and implementing a new sales program with metrics and accountability.  Ms. [redacted] agreed that this aspect of the engagement was also fully implemented and executed by [redacted] except that she was not willing to discipline underachieving sales employees.  As a result, many of the metrics were ignored.  It was explained that without accountability her goals in this area would never be achieved.  Ms. [redacted] agreed with the assessment but made it clear that she would take no action for poor performance.  In the area of Financial Management, CBS was to identify three sources of equipment funding to replace [redacted]’s current provider.  Ms. [redacted] agreed that CBS had met this goal; however, [redacted] had decided to stay with its current provider.  CBS was also requested to establish weekly metrics and the processes to evaluate these metrics so that they could be routinely reviewed b[redacted].  Ms. [redacted] agreed that CBS had accomplished this task, yet she decided to exclude her Operations Manager from those reviews because she believed that it was a waste of time.  Additionally, CBS created a business introduction package to provide a prospectus for new product lines.  Once again Ms. [redacted] agreed that CBS had met this objective but [redacted] had not added any new products to date.  CBS worked with [redacted]’s Operations Manager to improve his ability to manage employees for better utilization and efficiency.  Ms. [redacted] agreed that CBS had fully implemented and executed this training; however, [redacted] had discontinued the reporting and accountability production reports because her employees did not like it.  In the interim, Ms. [redacted] reported that [redacted] had lost one of its largest customers.  This customer accounted for approximately 30% of [redacted]’s business. CBS introduced [redacted] to a company that sources loans for businesses that cannot obtain financing from traditional institutions.  CBS has no financial interest in this company and obtains no financial benefit from them in the event [redacted] elects to borrow funds.  Ms. [redacted] chose to borrow monies from them and agreed to the terms and conditions of the loan.  CBS contacted the broker of the loan once it was made aware of [redacted]’s situation and asked that they modify their payments to accommodate their situation.  CBS has no ability to alter the terms of their loan with a third party vendor but has encouraged the vendor to consider her request. CBS has fully implemented and executed all of the goals and objectives that [redacted] expressed in the scope of work governing the consulting engagement to the approval and satisfaction of Ms. [redacted].  Ms. [redacted] acknowledged her unwillingness to execute upon the recommendations provided by CBS.  [redacted] failed to participate in the CBS Assurance Program and as a result the 2:1 Assurance could not be provided.  CBS followed through on all of its promises, despite Ms. [redacted]’s allegations to the contrary.  The rates for consulting services are well within industry standards and are not inflated in any manner.  At the time of the consulting engagement, [redacted] was a viable candidate and could have benefitted from those services.  The unfortunate events related to the loss of a major customer could not have been anticipated at the time.  CBS is not in the business of selling businesses for a fee.  CBS does offer valuation services to inform a business owner of the value of their business and such a valuation may be useful in determining the sale price for the business.  If Ms. [redacted] was interested in selling [redacted], CBS would refer her to any one of several companies to effectuate her desires. CBS values its relationships with all of its clients and works diligently to ensure their success.  Ms. [redacted] may contact the Client Services Department at any time at the telephone numbers that were provided to her in the Value Enhancement Plan (VEP) and subsequent Value Enhancement Reviews (VERS).  CBS looks forward to the opportunity to provide [redacted] with further assistance.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
[redacted]

Corporate Business Solutions, Inc. (CBS) is surprised to learn of Mr. [redacted]’s dissatisfaction after almost 3 years. On September 30, 2013, CBS met with Jay [redacted] & Sons, Inc. to conduct a business analysis. The analysis lasted two days and was performed by a Senior Business Analyst (SBA)....

On October 1, 2013, Mr. [redacted] and the SBA executed a consulting agreement. This agreement contemplated 218 hours of consulting at $355.00 per hour, +/- 10%,reasonable expenses, and $52.00 per diem. The project was divided into 2 phases, the first being 40 hours and the second being 178 hours.   On October 2, 2013 the Project Manager and Business Consultant arrived and prepared a scope of work, often referred to as a Value Enhancement Program (VEP), with the assistance and approval of Mr. [redacted].  The projects goals and objectives were: controlling cash and enhancing profits, improving organization and management effectiveness, business development and succession planning, strategic planning processes, and developing a financial plan.  In each of the areas there were numerous sub-categories in need of attention. On October 2, 2013, CBS also drafted a Value Enhancement Review One, which summarized the accomplishments by the client and CBS’ consultant to date.  It was examined and approved by Gerry [redacted], Sr.  On October 3, 2013 CBS prepared a Value Enhancement Review Two; it was examined and approved by Gerry [redacted], Sr. On October 10, & 18 2013, respectively,  the consultant prepared  Value Enhancement Review Three and Four, which were examined and approved by Gerry [redacted], Sr. In the consulting agreement there is a provision that a Mr. [redacted] can terminate the consulting engagement at the end of any business day. Mr. [redacted] is only responsible for fees and expenses previously incurred.  In a letter dated, October 17, 2013, Mr. Gerald [redacted] Sr. canceled the consulting project before its completion. At that time, CBS had only completed 130 hours, or 60% of the consulting engagement. With the project canceled prematurely, Mr. [redacted] could not expect to achieve the benefits originally contemplated. In Mr. [redacted]’s closing letter from October 17, 2013, he states, “Bill has taught me the meaning of breakeven and how to get the true cost of operating our quarry. The new procedure for handling change orders will help me control job cost from here on.” The client did not express dissatisfaction with CBS’s work. The project was ostensibly canceled because Mr. [redacted]’s son and son-in-law were unavailable for training. On October 28, 2013, CBS personnel called and left a message for Mr. [redacted], unfortunately, that call was never returned.  CBS does have an assurance program for clients who successfully complete their consulting engagement. Jay [redacted] & Sons, Inc. only completed 60% of the project; therefore they did not qualify for the program. Due to Mr. [redacted]’s decision to terminate the consulting engagement prior to its completion, the delay in notifying CBS of any dissatisfaction for almost 3 years and his refusal to respond to CBS’s inquires in 2013, a refund of any amount is unwarranted.     If Mr. [redacted] would like to resume project or has any questions about the project he should contact CBS, ClientSRV at [redacted] or [email protected].

Corporate Business Solutions properly evaluated Ms. [redacted]’s business after reviewing its internal documentation of performance.  Businesses that are not performing are the ones that need management consulting services the most.  It is impossible to predict the future performance of any company.  Through systems, processes, and procedures you can sharpen the focus on your critical variables and key performance indicators, but it is impossible to predict market forces which may occur.  The reference to particular events was obtained from the information gathered from [redacted]s files.  If the information reported was incorrect that would explain the misunderstanding Ms. [redacted] refers to in her reply.  Corporate Business Solutions attempts to make it abundantly clear that it does not supply financing for clients, as indicated in the Agreement for Services executed by Ms. [redacted].  Corporate Business Solutions takes no part in the decision made by third-party lenders to provide financing to clients and receives no compensation for any referral that it makes on behalf of a client.  We are only interested in the changes that a business must implement to improve their profitability.    Experience with hundreds of thousands of business owners has taught us that change will not happen without a business owner committed to making a timely decision.  If a business owner refuses to engage, the prospects for implementing change are significantly reduced.  Corporate Business Solutions does not utilize “bully tactics” or “high pressure” to force clients to engage their services.  Business owners have ample time to consider their decision and there are several alternatives to contracting for consulting services.  In some instances, a recommendation to sell the business may be appropriate; obviously, Ms. [redacted] did not believe that to be the case in this instance.  Corporate Business Solutions remains committed to the success of all of its clients and is willing to support the consulting engagement’s goals and objectives as outlined in the scope of work that was approved by Ms. [redacted].

DC Casework, LLC has made a reasonable request and CBS has elected to write off the remaining balance owed.  This action should resolve of Ms. [redacted] issues.  We appreciate the opportunity to work with DC Casework for the limited amount of time allowed and wish them the best in their...

future business endeavors.