LAB III & Associates, Inc. provides business management and product marketing services. The company was formed in 1985 to provide professional advice to small property owners and managers who wanted to expand their operations using desktop computers. During this period, LAB III & Associates was hired to market a new product called the "Emergency Help Light Systems." The product was designed to use computer circuitry to alert the neighborhood when there was a medical emergency in someone's home.

Since this time, LAB III & Associates has been serving communities worldwide with comprehensive service in the areas of Property Management, Economic Opportunity, Community Development, Community-Based Partnerships and Strategic Visions for Change.

We can assist communities to define the key principals of community empowerment by analyzing:

• What objectives the community should formulate;
• What and how needs motivate people to achieve organizational goals;
• What strategies the community should develop for businesses;
• Ideas for implementing Comprehensive Strategic Plans and building community capacity;
• Ideas and opportunities for enhancing community partnerships;
• Building and managing a communities Strategic Plan.

• To provide professional, affordable and practical management and marketing services to our clients in the entrepreneurial community.
  
  
• To commit time and resources to community development endeavors that are designed to strengthen the physical, economic and social fabric of disadvantaged communities.
  

The uniqueness of each client dictates the exact services needed. Our services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Creating comprehensive plans that coordinate economic, physical, environmental, community, and human development;
• Property Management and Marketing Services
• Advise on creating economic opportunities - jobs and work for residents;
• Advise on sustaining community development;
• Advise on creating community-based partnerships;
• Creating a Strategic Vision for change;
• Network Marketing of select products.

We cannot begin solving your specific problem until we gain a solid, basic understanding of it. In our initial contact we try to learn:

• Specific needs and backgrounds
• Origins of the problem
• Scope of the investigation
• Key issues to be examined

At this time we try to determine:

• A broad definition of the assignment and expected results;
• The information gathering methodology;
• Logical phases (if practical);
• Approximate time and cost.

At this initial point, there is no obligation on either side. Once gathered, the above information helps the client decide whether we are the best people to handle the assignment, and helps us determine if we can do the job efficiently and timely.

When appropriate, we will confirm the details and results of this discussion in a written proposal outlining the following:

• Our understanding of the assignment;
• Suggested approach;
• Type and extent of client involvement;
• Expected results;
• Estimated time and cost.

The client has no obligation until our proposal is accepted.

During each assignment, LAB III will give periodic updates. These are augmented by at least one interim review to summarize our findings and discuss any modifications in the direction for the balance of the project. Upon completion of our work, we report our findings and recommendations to client management, normally in the form of a presentation. While structured, this presentation encourages the questioning and discussion of our findings. Our goal is to provide clients with recommendations which are practical for them to implement. The presentation is then documented with a written report.

Fees are based on the time needed and expenses actually incurred in carrying out the assignment. More detail can be found on the "Contractual Terms and Conditions" section.

1. Expertise We are not trying to be all things to all people. We offer a specialized service in management consulting concerning the development of a successful management process. We have great experience and expertise in our chosen specialization. L. Anthony Brown, III, founder, has extensive functional and general management experience in this area. Associate consultants will be used when their experience is relevant and helpful to the client.
   
   
2. Efficiency Because we are specialized, we have files and tools that often allow us to perform an assignment better, faster, and cheaper than clients can on their own. We can interrogate on-line information data bases. This offers two benefits: It decreases the amount of time we need to spend in the field, and it makes our field work yield better results.
   
   
3. Concentration Because we can concentrate on accomplishing a critical assignment quickly, our clients are free to operate the ongoing business without diversion.
   
   
4. Anonymity Because we are an independent firm, we need not reveal the identity or purpose of our clients, within normal legal and ethical bounds. We will not reveal critical information without the client's approval.
   
   
5. Objectivity We bring a fresh viewpoint, unencumbered by hierarchical pressure or bias. If we cannot help our client, we will say so and refer them to other appropriate sources. We will never be used simply as an outside stamp of approval on an executive's pet project.

MANAGEMENT <top>

Intent on creating a company that helps communities rebuild themselves; L. Anthony Brown III, Margie Boynes and Dr. Brenda Mitchell lead a management team committed to transforming communities' one neighborhood at a time with comprehensive service in the areas of Economic Opportunity, Community Development, Community-Based Partnerships and Strategic Visions for Change. The Company's success is based upon a sound business philosophy, integrity and unrelenting desire to make the world a better place.

Work will be carried out in a manner that best satisfies the client in accordance with the Code of Professional Practice of the Association of Management Consultants. Contractual agreements can be arranged by either a retainer for a stipulated period or, more commonly, as a single project assignment. L. Anthony Brown, III, directs all assignments and client relations. Associate consultants in specialized management areas will be called upon as needed.

Clients

LAB III & Associates have been involved with a variety of enterprises that market or provide products or services to:

• Home-based business owners
• Small companies
• Service businesses
• Governmental Agencies
• Professional and Non-Profit Organizations
• Individual investors and entrepreneurs

Management

• Completed a $100 million dollar Strategic Plan for West Philadelphia.
• Completed a HOPE VI application that was awarded $40.2 million dollars to be used towards the Strategic Plan for West Philadelphia.
• Completed a $39 million dollar Revitalization Plan for North Philadelphia.

Marketing

• Distribute a patented product for woman
• Build a distribution team for an International Company
• Market planning for a Bed and Breakfast Inn

New Product Development

• New product strategy and idea brainstorming

General

• Business strategy guidance
• Time management assistance
• Goal setting assistance

The basic responsibility of every Management Consultant is to put the interest of clients ahead of his or her own and to serve them with integrity and competence. As a Management Consultant, Mr. Brown and his company agree to abide with all the professional ethics implied by that title.

We know that we are being hired for independent judgment and objectivity, technical expertise, analytical skill and concentrated attention to the solution of a problem. We will provide those skills. We will be impartial.

We will guard the confidentiality of all client information. We will not take financial gain or any other kind of advantage based on inside information. We will not serve two or more competing clients on sensitive problems without obtaining the approval of each client. We will inform the client of any circumstances that might influence our judgment or objectivity.

Before accepting an assignment, we will confer with the client in sufficient detail to understand the problem and the scope of study needed to solve it. Such preliminary consultations are conducted confidentially, on terms agreed to by the client.

We will accept only those assignments we are qualified to perform which will provide real benefit to the client, but we cannot guarantee any specific results, such as the amount of cost reduction or profit increase. We perform each assignment on an individual basis and develop recommendations specifically for the practical solution of each client's problem.

Whenever feasible, we agree with the client on the fee basis for an assignment. We do not accept commissions or pay them to others for client referrals, nor accept fees or commissions from others for recommending equipment, supplies, or services to any client.

Professional time of LAB III & Associates will be billed as either a fixed fee or at an hourly rate quoted upon agreement of the scope of the effort. In addition, the client will reimburse all expenses, plus an additional 15 percent handling fee. These expenses will be estimated upon agreement of the scope of work. If the actual expenses exceed the agreed estimate, the client will reimburse such excess expenses, but will not be charged any further handling charge on the additional amount.

Expenses include all out-of-pocket costs such as travel, telephone, printing and copying, postage, user fees for on-line information retrieval, publications, independent contractor assistance, and similar items. Other costs, such as word processing and mileage, will be treated as expenses and will be charged at competing local commercial rates. Travel costs are incurred on a trip that serves two or more clients will be allocated to each client in proportion to costs that would have been incurred for travel dedicated solely to each client. Detailed expense records are maintained in our office and may be inspected if desired.

Invoices will be submitted on the fifth of the month and are payable upon receipt. A late payment charge of 1-1/2% per month (18% annually) will be applied to outstanding amounts that are ten (10) days past due.

The client always has the right to terminate the assignment upon written notice. In such a case, the client has no liability for charges beyond those incurred on their behalf through the date we receive such notice of termination.

Because we cannot serve a client under terms or conditions that might impair our objectivity, independence, or integrity, LAB III & Associates reserves the right to withdraw from the assignment if conditions develop to interfere with the successful completion of the assignment (except where our efforts are integral to the client's efforts).

It is understood that LAB III & Associates and its contractors, if any, shall be in the relation of independent contractors with the clients, and nothing herein shall be construed as designating us as employees or agents of the client for any purpose.

LAB III & Associates will guard as confidential all information concerning the affairs of the client that is gathered during the course of the assignment. We agree to hold such information in strict confidence and not to disclose it to others for a period of five years or until such information is otherwise released by the client.

LAB III & Associates will not serve two or more competing clients in areas of vital interest without first informing each client.

The rights to any inventions that result from our work will be assigned to the client without any further charge for professional time. The client is responsible for all legal fees and similar expenses necessary to obtain patents that the client may desire to register.

Client Problem: A small sales and marketing firm developed a computerized home security system and wanted to introduce it to the consumer market through profitable distribution channels. The industry was very competitive with sales projections obtained primarily from market research and strategically cultivated markets. They wanted to develop a strategic market plan that would permit them to outperform their industry competition and break even in operations within eighteen months.

What We Did: LAB III & Associates first examined their sales projections and segmented the existing market. We obtained industry data to establish their market share and industry trend. We then interviewed industry experts and prospective customers. This gave us enough information to help the client in the establishment of a mechanism for performance assessment and formulation of distribution policies.

Results: The client was able to carry out the market plan by deploying a sales force equipped with realistic sales goals and capable of attaining the company objectives. A new sales promotion was initiated to convey this.

Client Problem: A small building maintenance company provided cleaning services and wanted to grow. The industry was very competitive with sales volume obtained primarily by low labor cost. They wanted to develop a management strategy which permits them to outperform their industry competition.

What We Did: LAB III & Associates immediately reviewed the existing management plan to determine the expected results. We then observed the work habits of the employees responsible for performing the cleaning service and rated them on a number of dimensions. Simultaneously, we used our computerized consulting system to conduct attitude surveys.

Results: In just a few months the client was able to improve employee communications and performance, apply effective discipline and make optimal placements. The client then initiated a management training program.

What We Did: LAB III & Associates gathered information on the hotel industry to determine the specific service needs before advising the client on how to package her services. While working with the business owner in negotiating the terms of a contract, we used relationships that have been cultivated over many years of service to identify, train and hire local labor to provide the services.

Results: The client is in the second year of a contract with a major hotel in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and is utilizing our management services to train, hire and manage the local labor.