Southwest Creations Collaborative (SCC) is a non-profit organization that helps low income women improve their social and economic welfare. Matteucci, the founder of SCC, is collaborating with a recently formed group called Social Venture Partners-New Mexico (SVPNM) regarding whether to accept a grant for financial assistance and business support from them. From Southwest Creations Collaborative's humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a thriving business with a growth in social programs, more job opportunities, and higher annual gain. Matteucci is very passionate about the work that she does and therefore is emotional attached to her organization.
SVPNM has made an offer of $25,000 per year for 2-5 years to SCC. In return however, they want to be involved with the company's growth. Essentially, SVPNM wants to expand the impact of SCC, entailing operations from new employees brought forth outside of the company's already tight knit group. SVPNM wishes to implement business training and many concepts that Matteucci feels confused and uncomfortable with. She has many questions and is afraid for the future of her company if she accepts the offer. Her other hesitation is SVPNM a startup company with no previous experience in their field. SCC would be SVPNM's guinea pig so to speak, and that fact alone has got Matteucci concerned. On the other hand, the money from SVPNM would be very beneficial as SCC is working to find a larger facility as well as in marketing and operational strategies. Matteucci is caught between a rock and a hard place as she carefully deciphers her options.
I believe an important part of being a 'business consultant' is being able to see both sides of an argument and keep an open mind. With that being said, I believe that before Matteucci makes her final decision, she should arrange another meeting with SVPNM to discuss their terms more thoroughly. Before the meeting Matteucci should not go in blind; she should right down her concerns and be ready to ask questions. From my stand point as a business consultant, I think SVPNM is a risky company. They have never participated in this line of work before and that is intimidating. However, I also believe Matteucci is stubbornly attached to her organization (and rightfully so.) In order to grow her business though, Matteucci will need to loosen the reins and perhaps take a chance. It seems that the initial meeting went well and that SVPNM has good intentions for the company. In order to succeed in business, there needs to be a little risk and I think SVPNM's offer is SCC's shot at reaching more women and providing opportunities for them.
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I believe I am very much like Matteucci. When you build an organization from the ground up you will of course be attached to it and want to remain in control. However, I have acknowledged through this case study that sometimes the best thing for the company is for you to allow help from other people, organizations, etc. You have to remember, Why did I begin this business in the first place? Matteucci saw a need among the low income New Mexican women and she filled it. Her passion derives from helping others. By accepting the grant she now has the ability to help more women, even if things are not run exactly the way she prefers in the organization. The bottom line is SCC was created to provide for those in need and even with the grant, it still will. I have learned from this case study not to let my pride get in the way of the greater good.
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