The small, fast-growing, quite profitable three-person company had reached a plateau. Sales for the past couple years were essentially flat in a rapidly growing industry. The owner was concerned that this might be the beginning of a downward trend and wanted to bolster the sales and marketing effort yet none of the three people had expertise in this area. Worse, the owner hated the sales process.

Through various contacts, the owner met a person who is a VP of Sales and Marketing for a major corporation who wanted, for personal reasons, to relocate to the community where the business is located. In a couple of lengthy conversations they discussed compatibility, opportunities, and business values. The owner then asked the VP for an assessment of the company