Steps to Success

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SWTAAC Services

Steps to Success

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Steps to Success

Once You are Certified

Once a firm has been certified, the Southwest TAAC will help secure the benefits it desires. The preparation for assistance consists of two documents describing the company’s needs: a diagnostic analysis and a recovery strategy or an adjustment plan. The government will routinely pay 75 percent of the cost of developing a diagnostic analysis and the adjustment plan, but they must be submitted within two years of the date of certification.

DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS

The Southwest TAAC will prepare a diagnostic analysis of the firm’s operations by examining its internal and external operating environments. The report will provide the groundwork on which the adjustment plan will be built.

ADJUSTMENT PLAN

The adjustment plan is a written report showing that the firm is aware of its strengths, weaknesses and potential problems, and has a clear, credible and rational strategy for recovery. The plan will identify specific actions the firm wishes a consultant to take on its behalf. Each plan is unique to each firm and the consulting projects recommended in the plan are specific to each firm based on its needs.

The completed adjustment plan and the diagnostic analysis are submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce for final approval before implementation. Acting as a liaison between DoC and the client firm, the Southwest TAAC has the experience and training to facilitate the approval of the plan. Should changes be required, a TAAC staff will work with the company to ensure quick turnaround.

IMPLEMENTATION

After approval, the Southwest TAAC will solicit and receive bids from potential consultants, transmit the responses to company management for evaluation, prepare a contract for the company, University, and selected consultant. Southwest TACC staff will monitor the consultant as he/she works under management direction to carry out the specific actions of the plan. Once the adjustment plan is approved, implementation must start within six months.

SWTAAC Resources

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SWTAAC Services

Testimonials

"The grant certification process was easy. The instructions we received were clear and concise. It was never intrusive, and we always had a prompt response to any questions we had. The (SWTAAC) personnel were very understanding, knowledgeable, and patient."

Christina Well
President
La Abuela Mexican Foods, Inc.

"We recently received...assistance through (the) SWTAAC/UTSA with our marketing efforts. They were highly professional and got through the process very quickly. They have assisted us in the details of how to best make it work for us. If you have a chance to do so, take it. An overall marketing plan has been developed for us, which will lay the groundwork for several years."

Jennifer H. Fariss, CPA
President
Advantage Building & Exteriors, Inc.

"When several of our long time, domestic distributors were recruited to sell low cost laser engraving systems produced in Taiwan, the SWTAAC helped us develop a plan and acquire a matching grant to respond. The plan and grant helped us improve our marketing efforts and operating efficiencies, and we were able to move from sales declines to sales increases and profitability. I don't know if we would be in business today if it were not for their efforts."

Guy Barone
President Xenetech Global Inc.
Baton Rouge, LA

"We were struggling in an industry affect by foreign competition; we need to increase our sales and reduce our operating costs. The SWTAAC helped us increase our sales through development of a new web site and achieving ISO certification. It helped us improve operating costs through the deployment of lean manufacturing concepts and development of better IT systems to track and analyze our results."

Keith Martin
Chief Financial Officer
Precision Machine & Manufacturing, Inc.
Grove, OK

"InterConnect is an AS9100 compliant company that provides quality products and services to the giants of aerospace industry. Over the past few years, we have doubled our sales, as well as the number of employees. We are now ISO 9001 and AS9100 registered and with assistance of the SWTAAC working hard to continually improve InterConnect's process."

Clare McGarry
Vice President of Business Development & Marketing
InterConnect Wiring L.L.P.
Fort Worth, Texas

"The TAA program has been tremendous for helping promote our made in USA organic cotton products. The assistance has allowed us to double our sales through...increased internet presence, trade show promotions, and product development. A truly worthwhile government [program] to compete with the increasing import climate [with] a helpful staff at the SWTAAC"

Gary Oldham
President
SOS From Texas
Shamrock, Texas