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Growth Strategies
Former exec at US Computer, Sandata offers business tips
by ADINA GENN

Need a company tune-up? Perhaps a marketing overhaul? Or maybe some financial advice? In today's economy, many businesses could benefit from such expertise in order to operate at their optimum. But many small businesses are hesitant to spend money on yet another consultant. Steve Davies recognizes this concern and has designed the programs in his new company, Huntington-based Edge Initiatives, to address those very issues.

"Clients will know in the beginning what the costs will be and what they will get," Davies says. "In the full company tune-up, for example, if the cost savings don't equal the cost of the tune-up, I'll refund the difference."

For the complete tune-up, Davies examines a client's organization structure, studying its financials, marketing, costs, banking relationships and more. "These are where problems lurk," he notes.
He then puts together action items to address and meets with the senior management to get them to buy in and prioritize those actions and to assign accountability. He meets the client once a month to identify progress toward the agreed action.

Davies uses the same approach in the other "Edge" programs he offers. Strategic Edge, for example, helps business owners write a strategic plan to outline goals, decisions and actions. Marketing Edge enables clients to target customers and determine which products and services to offer and which to abandon. Growth Edge allows companies experiencing growth to recognize and address problems, rather than sweep them under the rug where they can fester. Banking Edge helps companies become proactive when facing cash-flow challenges so that owners can put a plan together and find a resolution.

Davies knows the ups and downs of business. He was a lending officer for Barclay's Bank in London. But he may be best known for founding U.S. Computer Group in 1987. That company reached annual sales of $25 million before he left in 1999. The company is no longer in business.

Most recently he served as president of Port-Washington based Sandata, a provider of computer services catering to the home healthcare industry, but was among the 31 employees let go when the company renewed its emphasis on its core home healthcare market and no longer needed Davies' broad industry segment marketing expertise.

"I offer extensive experience to the smaller growing companies that can use the gray hair," Davies notes, reflecting on lessons learned in business.