Selected engagements — opportunity, solution, and impact.

History has shown that over 50% of small businesses fail in the first three years of operations. The SBA was particularly concerned about businesses it admitted into its Section 8(a) program — designed to assist disadvantaged businesses with the potential to grow — yet many firms continued to struggle. The SBA issued an RFP to contract with a seasoned consulting firm under its 7(j) allotments.

Under this contract TCG assessed the needs of each small business in the SBA 8(a) program and provided a variety of consulting services tailored to each firm. We employed a unique assessment tool to identify each firm's needs and worked with the various SBA portfolio managers who issued task orders to TCG.

The success rate within the SBA 8(a) program improved, resulting in continuous employment for small businesses across California, Nevada, and Arizona. Many of the 8(a) firms achieved over 300% revenue growth during the time TCG provided consulting services.

CMTC sought a firm to manage its more complex engagements and serve as expert advisors to CMTC staff consultants. It needed help from a seasoned firm with international-standards experience. TCG was engaged to meet those needs.

Our team applied newer technologies and assessment tools to its engagements and benefitted from direct relationships with key members of the international standards bodies. Our lead consultant helped author the ISO 14000 standard and created an accredited training program.

Small manufacturing firms gained access to top-tier training, auditing, and consulting, enabling them to compete in the global marketplace. Exports to Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America increased — a core mandate of CMTC when it won its statewide contract.

When TCG was engaged, Space-Lok's primary customer — representing 90% of sales — was preparing to cancel its contracts due to management concerns. Our team arrived to begin work on productivity and quality, recommended by the California Manufacturing Technology Center, just in time to prevent disaster.

TCG implemented a restructured management system based on ISO 9000 and appointed our lead consultant as on-site Management Representative. Regular internal audits and management review meetings drove steady improvement.

Within one year of TCG oversight, Space-Lok was removed from probation by Boeing and diversified its customer base. The improvement was so significant that Space-Lok was acquired by the Novaria aerospace group, and the TCG management representative was engaged to chair the Board of Management Representatives for all Novaria aerospace companies.

Southern California had the worst air quality in the United States. Millions of dollars were invested to enhance SCAQMD's capabilities, including a new facility and hundreds of air-quality engineers. The agency adopted Rule 219 requiring any potential air-polluting business to apply for a 'permit to operate,' and issued an RFP to manage the program. TCG won the award.

TCG helped test and debug the specialized software used to process applications from manufacturers, cleaners, restaurants, car washes, and others across Southern California. Once finalized, TCG processed and issued thousands of permits, each presentable to inspectors on request.

Air quality significantly improved during the years of the permitting program, improving health outcomes for millions of local residents.

MWD recognized the need for outside water experts to help manage Southern California's supply and quality. It issued an RFP and TCG was awarded a contract. Our lead consultant participated in every aspect of plan development, including presentations to the MWD Board of Directors.

We worked directly with the MWD Board, presenting drafts and conducting all technical analysis, research, and simulations. The team produced and presented the 100+ page strategic plan to the board.

Millions of Southern California residents had uninterrupted access to clean water as a result of a plan that better integrated the State Water Project, the Colorado River, Owens Lake, and underground aquifers. The water plan has been updated several times since, but the primary considerations remain the same today.