A Unique Delivery Model

Ascend’s principals approach engagements from a CEO/owner perspective, drawing on their experiences as President and CEO of companies over the years as well as from their board positions with private equity-backed companies.  All client engagements are handled directly by the principals – projects are never staffed with less experienced, junior associates.

Unlike many consulting firms with rigid “cookie cutter” systems, Ascend relies instead on a combination of deep frontline experience and rigorous bottom-up analysis, grounded in approaches the principals used at McKinsey & Company and Deloitte Consulting.

The result is the best of both worlds: a systematic approach that not only identifies the root causes holding back your company’s performance, but also is tailored to the unique conditions in your organization and battle-tested in high-performing teams.  As a client, you can rely on practical and actionable recommendations that drive real improvements in your bottom line.  Ascend Sales Partners delivers plans that work in the real world.

 

Our Services

Ascend works with clients in two distinct ways:

Accelerated Impact Engagements

These engagements are focused on one or more performance areas where there is opportunity for significant improvement (for example:  repositioning the company or products, improving salesforce effectiveness, or enhancing operational performance).  Projects are typically structured in phases of 4-8 weeks to provide frequent decision points and deliver rapid results. 

This format best suits executives who are:

  • Realizing that sales results are not up to par and who want to quickly pinpoint and correct the root causes; or
  • Concerned that the company is positioned effectively and are looking for new ways to grow the business through new products, penetrating new markets, or significantly reshaping the company through corporate development or M&A initiatives; or
  • Under pressure to improve an aspect of the company’s operational performance.     

 

Executive Coaching and Advisory Sessions

Ascend’s coaching model is a flexible format designed to provide CEOs and other senior executives with time-effective access to new ideas and approaches.  The sessions can address broad issues such as company strategy or growth opportunities, or focus on specific sales, marketing or operational challenges the company is facing. 

Coaching and advisory meetings are generally divided into one or more part-day or whole-day sessions each month. This format best suits executives who:

  • Want a sounding board for diagnosing forecast shortfalls or operational performance issues; or
  • Are looking for fresh ideas to use in challenging their teams or to drive revenue growth, yet are willing to handle implementation internally due to budget or cultural constraints; or
  • Wish to expand their knowledge, access best practices, or put in place an advisory relationship they can tap when unfamiliar issues arise.