Ducks in a Row Consulting

Introduction: Founded in 1998 by Ruth Sheets, Ducks in a Row Consulting offers management consulting and business strategy services for small to mid-size companies and nonprofit organizations. With a focus on operations and marketing, we help organizations to increase revenue and profitability and fix operational problems that have become obstacles to sustainability and growth. We help nonprofits to live their mission, accomplish their goals, and become stronger through strategic planning and board development. We have worked with a variety of firms, from start ups to established sole proprietorships, corporations, nonprofit human service organizations, and homecare providers generating millions in revenue. We are SOMWBA-WBE certified. Ruth Sheets, principal of Ducks in a Row Consulting, brings more than 15 years of experience as a business strategist, working with small to mid-size companies and nonprofit organizations. Quoted in the Wall Street Journal in July 2009, Ms. Sheets is highly respected as a small business expert working with companies in various stages of transition, from start up to growth to exiting the marketplace. She is the 2011 winner of US Small Business Administration's Business Champion Award for Massachusetts and New England. She is widely regarded for her expertise in strategic and action planning, business positioning, and messaging. Specialties: Business planning, strategic planning, action planning, marketing, operations, business positioning, board development Examples of completed projects: - Conducted strategic planning and overhauled the infrastructure of a home health care company, resulting in a 22% increase in revenue and 24% increase in weekly billable hours. - Helped an Internet marketing company to increase revenue by 500% in 2007 and 153% in 2008. - Developed financial and operational processes, recommended new services and pricing changes, and created a growth plan for a textile conservation business, resulting in a 100% increase in revenue. - Created a marketing plan and overhauled the infrastructure of a photography business, resulting in a 100% increase in revenue. - Restructured a chiropractic practice and created a business growth plan, resulting in the profitable sale of business 1-1/2 years later. - Developed a start up and marketing plan for an Internet business, resulting in the successful launch of a child development product. - Created a cyber café like copy business (profit center) for a non-profit organization, and designed a job-readiness training program for homeless female clients to receive training and employment at the copy center. - Helped grass roots non-profit international clothing manufacturing company to increase its proft margin, resolve export issues, and strengthen its management infrastructure.