Measuring Impact for Small and Medium-sized Businesses Nationwide
IMS partners with supplier diversity programs to help bridge the gap between vision and reality for small and medium-sized business owners across the country
✓ Drive Strategic Growth
✓ Measure Impact Effectively
✓ Return on Investment
Every business needs to be able to demonstrate its value.
Small and medium-sized businesses are the bedrock of our economy, making up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employing nearly half of our country’s workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Yet half of them fail within the first five years. This stark reality underscores the critical need for small enterprises to communicate their unique value proposition to the market effectively.
IMS works as a partner with supplier diversity professionals to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. We understand the landscape in which small businesses operate, and the tools we provide foster an environment that supports their growth and leverages their potential to contribute to your organization’s objectives. By engaging with and championing diverse suppliers, you’re contributing to a more inclusive and equitable business environment and unlocking innovative solutions and perspectives that can drive your company forward in a competitive marketplace.
Meet
Dr. Drena Valentine
Founder of IMS
I’ve spent over 30 years helping small businesses manage and grow
their business by improving their internal operations. My goal is to empower other businesses to move boldly toward the future. For over three decades, my results-oriented approach has been a driving force in enabling those already doing good to do it even better, including:
- Expanding businesses to new locations
- Connecting clients with valuable resources and partners
- Creating expansion strategies for established businesses
- Streamlining operations and raising productivity
- Developing effective SMART goals to achieve maximum performance
- Establishing and automating systems
I bring a unique blend of business acumen, active listening skills, and extensive strategic and management expertise to the table. My approach involves understanding the root causes of challenges, analyzing operational processes, and collaboratively developing strategies to navigate change successfully.
Through my focused work with organizations that provide business programs and local small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), I created the I.N.S.I.G.H.T. for Operational Excellence© online assessment tool and The Executive: Thriving Beyond Millions, a CEO program. These initiatives are rooted in understanding that measurable growth is crucial for any business aiming to remain viable. Combining the assessment and program provides a client-focused (not cohort-based) approach to helping businesses understand how managing their business affects profit and growth. We offer critical guidance, assisting them through every stage of their development with clarity and strategic insight.
Our vision is to redefine small and medium-sized business success and how it is achieved. Success is not based on how many businesses or cohorts complete our program. The results from our product/service offering are our confirmation of success.
IMS Helps Small to Medium-sized Businesses
Our Solutions to Driving Measurable Success in Small and Medium-sized Business Programs
- ✓ Assessing businesses upon engagement
- ✓ Address specific challenges discovered
- ✓ Provide individual support and available resources
- ✓ Provide business innovation strategies and sustainable business practice seminars
- ✓ Reassessing businesses upon engagement conclusion
I.N.S.I.G.H.T. for Operational Excellence©
Our I.N.S.I.G.H.T.© assessment evaluates a business’s operational efficiency, spotlighting the hurdles that block the path to growth. By pinpointing specific areas for improvement, it delivers targeted strategies to overcome these challenges, setting businesses on a course for enhanced growth and long-term success.
The Executive:
Thriving Beyond Millions
The Executive program pairs businesses with seasoned coaches and introduces expert-led educational sessions on advanced operational strategies, rarely covered in typical SMB programs. This dual approach helps significantly boost a business’s efficiency, effectiveness, and market performance, driving substantial growth and establishing a foundation for continued success.
Management
Consulting Services
Beyond our initial programs, we offer Strategic Planning, Compliance Management, Change Management, Data Collection & Analysis, Operational Assessment & Analysis, Customer Service Analysis, Program Development & Management, and Leadership Development to improve your business.
Through our consulting services, our clients:
- Increase revenue streams
- Reclaim wasted time
- Improve employee retention
- Strengthen team morale
- Strategize for long-term initiatives
- Streamline business operations
- Achieve work-life balance
- Enhance customer satisfaction
- Amplify innovation and creativity
- Foster a positive company culture
- Obtain personal and professional growth
- Increase market competitiveness
- Realize work-life balance
Audrey Awasom
“I affectionately call Dr. Drena ”The hammer” because she has a natural talent for analyzing challenges, finding practical solutions, and pushing you to reach your fullest potential while also holding you accountable. Thank you Dr. Drena!”
Hyacinth Tucker
Coumba Graves
“Working with IMS has been and continues to be an absolute delight. It’s amazing to see how much support you get working with Drena and her team, and I can confidently say that this is the best collaboration I’ve ever had as a solopreneur. Thank you for CARING!”
Gina S. Duncan
Rev. Darryl D. Sims, Ph.D.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the I.N.S.I.G.H.T.© for Operational Excellence assessment tool administered?
Participants receive a unique, one-time access link to take the assessment, which takes approximately 15 – 20 minutes to complete. Upon completing the assessment, the participant and the participant’s coach will receive the initial and final assessment results.
How are the results of the program measured?
Participants are assessed at the beginning and the end of the program. The results are analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The data, including program outcomes, are reported to program sponsors and organizers.
How long is The Executive: Thriving Beyond Millions
The Program is a 3-month program supporting 15 –50 business owners.
What is the budget for The Executive Program?
The budget is based on the number of businesses per program and the specific needs and focus of program sponsors and organizers. Estimates will be sent based on the letters of intent to sponsor the program.
Start Measuring Your Supplier Diversity Program’s Impact Today
IMS is more than a partner that helps you guide small and medium-sized businesses to success. We are also here to help you gauge your program's ROI, gain the insights needed to drive meaningful growth and make impactful decisions.
Download this free guide to elevating your supplier diversity program and take the first step towards transforming your diversity initiatives into measurable success.
“Drena has been able to help us achieve record-level receipts to support a senior affordable housing project. IMS has also improved our business processes and overall strategy.”
– GME Enterprise