Our public sector practice group has over 45 years of combined experience in local government. Headed up by Michael Brewer, Lara Brewer and Martin Davis, we specialize in local government, from entry level to executive level management, including personnel planning, local government operations, finance and managment, organizational structure, policy development and grant writing. The strength of our practice is our ability to scale the size of our operation to meet the needs of our clients. We have access to a pool of talented individuals spanning a multi-disciplined array of services, depending on the size and scope of the project. Utilizing these talents, we are available to consult and provide management services in the areas outlined below. Additionally, we are constantly evaluating our services to determine what clients need and to offer new services as they are perfected, with the ultimate goal to improve cost efficiency, streamline operations, provide greater accountability and increase the effectiveness of public dollars.
PRIVATE SECTOR CONSULTING PRACTICE
Our private sector consulting practice stays on top a business or company's needs, recognizing that change is the only constant in todays private sector organization. BRCG's consulting team can help your business grow productively by providing managerial expertise and the unique talents that each of our associates bring to the table. Our combined bacgrounds, coupled with knowledge of public and private sector accountancy and the interrelated workings of both give us the flexibility to respond to clients in both disciplines. Knowledge of private sector accountancy allows applications of efficiency gained in the corporate world to be integrated into the sometimes less efficient world of government. Conversely, the more stringent and rigorous principles that apply to government accounting can strengthen the viability of the corporate financial structure considerably with the ultimate goal being transparency at the fiscal level that will measure up to the demands of both citizen or stockholder.
Blue Ridge Consulting Group, LLC is a Management Consulting Firm located in Jackson, Georgia. Like the Blue Ridge Mountains for which we named it, our company reaches high, bringing professional experience and a practical approach in all our areas of work. Founded by husband and wife team of Michael and Lara Brewer, BRCG is committed to using all its resources to produce satisfied clients in both the local government consulting and private consulting sector. Toward those goals, we offer the following services, many of which are applicable to both public and private sector management:
WAGE & COMPENSATION PLANS
Includes a mutli-level pay scale designed with steps for linear or vertical progression based on the needs of the company, local government or business and designed to reduce pay plan compression.
WEBSITE CONSULTING
In today's modern world, a good website is essential to business development and growth, information dissemination and promotion of product. BRCG has experience in design and development of websites and can consult on making your business presence on the world wide web more effective.
POSITION CLASSIFICATION PLANS
Used in conjunction with the pay scale, a systematic grading and classification of all positions within the organization from the entry level worker to the most senior manager which bases classification on job criteria, performance factors and knowledge, skills, abilities and educational factors.
PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURE MANUALS
A logical, understandable employment manual for employees. In government, this is sometimes referred to as a "Merit System" or "Civil Service Policy" while in public sector, it is usually referred to as "Employee Manual" or "Personnel Policy". It brings uniformity, fairness and, when used properly, can help the employer avoid costly litigation by ensuring that employees understand what is required of them, what benefits they can receive from employment, how they may be rewarded or disciplined and how they can progress career-wise.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM GOVERNMENTS
Financial accountability is crucial to public employers because each dollar earned or spent is a public dollar and is therefore subject to full disclosure. A sound financial management plan can ensure that your government's finances operate smoothly, efficiently, and most importantly, in compliance with the law. Financial controls implemented at all levels of the accountancy process can protect employees from undue blame, the government from fraudulent activities and loss of citizen trust and can ensure that any misappropriation is immediately uncovered before further damage can result.
PURCHASING MANUALS
A sound purchasing policy will eliminate wasteful spending, favoritism and ultimately stretch every dollar to its maximum potential yield, yet many businesses and local governments have no written plan for how dollars are expended. Implementing such a program can increase profitability by cutting unnecessary waste, or in government, can result in tax reductions due to saved costs.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMING
To stay ahead of growth curves, local governments must plan their capital improvement programs to spand multiple budget years into the future. Having such a plan will allow governments to implement a timeline and manage each budget year's resources efficiently so that funds are available to handle the projects identified in the CIP.
OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENTS
Many small businesses and local governments continue to do business the way they did 40 years ago and have not grown their service delivery strategy to stay in keeping with modern times and public demand. A sound operational assessment from an outside observer can identify existing and potential weaknesses, plan strategies for structured, stable growth that won't unduly burden the taxpayer or the stockholder.
ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT PLANNING
Who does each employee answer to? Is the Public Works Director answering to the County Clerk or the County Administrator? A top to bottom organizational management plan indicates an employer that is using its human resources wisely and ensuring competent management and supervision for employees.
MANPOWER ALLOCATION PLANNING & RECRUITMENT
Knowing where best to allocate employees can result in a much thriftier, efficient organization that is meeting its service delivery strategy goals. If you have too many employees in public works and not enough in public safety, a government could be found criminally negligent should loss of life occur due to insufficient resources. Likewise, recruiting the right people for the right job creates a win-win situation-the government wins and the citizens!
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
A well written, legally compliant job description can protect the employer and the employee alike. Every employee needs to know what is expected of him or her in order to be considered as a viable employee. Employees who have clear, concise direction will always be better prepared to do their job than an employee who doesn't. Modern job descriptions should also have ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) requirements for physical capabilities stated clearly so employees with disabilities are not set up to fail by being placed in a job they are limited from doing.
SURVEYS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Sometimes a well planned survey can provide a wealth of information for a business or local government who is trying to determine which direction to move towards or to guage the success or failure of existing programs. Statistical analysis and charting of trends can also provide proper direction and guidance for the growing company.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
Local governments are not always sure what is out there waiting for the opportunity to get access to public dollars. An RFP can eliminate unqualified prospective bidders from competing for public funds and can ensure that only the most responsible and best qualified bidders are available to select from.
GRANT WRITING
BRCG has access to the services of Dr. Van G. Whaler, a professional grant writer with a proven track record of over $40 million in grants awarded. He has written grants on behalf of local governments, schools, historic preservation organizations, businesses and industrial concerns. Please contact us with your needs in this field and we will be glad to give you an evaluation and quote.
Blue Ridge Consulting Group is available to consult on projects by appointment and we give free quotes for service based on the scope of the project and the hours and resources needed to complete. To discuss your needs, obtain a quote or for company information, we can be reached at the following:
Telephone: (770) 775-5727 Cell: (770) 780-8957
E-Mail Michael Brewer: michaelbrewer@brcgllc.com
E-Mail Lara Brewer: larabrewer@brcgllc.com