The ABC Group: One-Stop Shopping for Management Services

02/01/02
Commerce

“The Allied Business Consultants (ABC) group is dedicated to providing a single source of independent, multi-disciplined resources to assist businesses in growth and improvement as they compete for success in the marketplace.” This mission makes The ABC Group a one-stop shopping vehicle for management services.

These services include: HR consulting; investigations; financial services; sales and marketing; software development; and training. The ABC Group includes 17 businesses, organized into nine basic groups with 60 sub-specialities including financial, legal, technical, security and executive and special skills search.

Members can work independently or in teams, according to the needs of the client, enabling cost-effective solutions and alternatives in all phases of business organization, and management.

The ABC Group cuts through the complexities of finding experts by making its interdisciplinary alliance accessible via the Web or via single point of contact. In fact, the group has integrated human resources principles into its meetings and procedures.

At each alternate-week meeting, after members talk about their professional wants and needs, the group breaks up into small groups to develop questions and feedback. During the weeks that the full group doesn’t get together, members of the group are required to attend “one-on-one” meetings with other members, and then report back to the group.

By going through the presentation, feedback and one-on-one process, members grow in communicating and articulating strategy, while gaining visibility and connecting with potential clients. There are financial incentives for bringing in business and other procedures that promote interaction and lead to opportunities for partnering in business projects.

The group meets every other Friday at the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey’s headquarters in Paramus.

Building Business

“Relationships are the next big thing in the 21^st century,” says Frank Ciecierski, founder of the ABC Group. His firm, Resource Action Concepts, Inc., in Montclair, specializes in coaching and training. “Attendees at our meetings have an opportunity to observe presentations, participate in group discussions, showcase their businesses, and update the group on the latest developments in their fields,” he says.

“ABC members continue to network and share leads,” says core group member Jim Stoddard of Hook Mountain Marketing, Inc., Ridgewood. “Clients with specific needs are quickly directed to the services and specialists they need by ABC members who are comfortable working together across professional lines.”

Syas member Reginald Montgomery of R. J. Montgomery Associates in Ramsey: “ABC doesn’t have a party line or point of view. It’s a great place to network. R.J. Montgomery Associates specializes in security and investigation services.

“We were attracted by the quality of the members,” says Herb Simon, assistant to Montgomery.

The ABCs of Success

Here’s a brief look at some of the members of the ABC Group.

Tobia & Hillyer’s Albert “Bert” Tobia and Dora Hillyer have been in the income tax business since 1970. Hillyer, an enrolled IRS agent and a certified financial planner, is a licensed mutual fund registered representative who offers funds through New England Securities. Tobia, an income tax consultant and lecturer, is a licensed mutual fund registered representative and a licensed mortgage broker for C.J.M. Planning Corp.

ABC Group member Jake Schneider is a quality, safety, technical and operations supervisory/leadership skills trainer, with a background in manufacturing operations and engineering. Schneider joined the ABC Group when he started JS Management Services in Warren four years ago. “My spin is unique because I come from a manufacturing background and my training is in engineering,” he explains. “Not too many leadership trainers come from the engineering and manufacturing sectors.”

ABC member David H. Nachman is chairman of the Business Immigration Law Department at Grotta Glassman & Hoffman, P.A., one of the largest labor and employment (immigration and benefits) law firms in the state, with offices in Roseland as well as in New York and California. A member of the ABC Group for several years, Nachman values relationships with HR professionals who can provide top-notch professional services for his clients.

The group allows Frank Schuck of FAS Management Search in Old Tappen to spread out and find expertise in a wide range of specialties. Schuck specializes in small to mid-range manufacturing and service companies. “They have a lot of answers for problems I have about computers, compensation issues, marketing, even Web design, and that’s very valuable to me,” he says. “I have clients that have thanked me repeatedly for connecting them with ABC members.”

Member Paul R. Dorf, president of Compensation Resources, Inc. has more than 30 years of human resources and compensation experience. His partner, Daniel P. Moynihan, Internet practice leader, is available to help interpret the IRS Code and map out executive compensation packages. The Upper Saddle River company specializes in all facets of compensation plan design, including short and long-term incentives, sales compensation, performance management systems, and pay-for-performance salary administration.