Frequently Asked Questions
We are pleased to provide the answers to our clients’ most frequently asked questions. Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions you would like to discuss.
How do you work with your clients?
First, we’re fast! We like to say, “We move at the speed of business,” and take immense pride in responding to our customers’ needs in a timely fashion. We work with our clients in a variety of ways, including meetings at your offices, meetings at other locations, and via conference calls and e-mail. Thanks to ever-advancing communications technologies, we can work efficiently and affordably with clients from anywhere in the world.
What kind of clients does Keith & Associates work with?
Keith & Associates works with clients from both corporate and government sectors. Corporate clients can range from solo entrepreneurs, to owner-managed or board-governed small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Government clients typically include those involving industry and economic development. We also work with staff, management and members of industry associations.
Will I receive personalized attention or “canned” solutions?
Keith & Associates is large enough to meet your needs, but small enough to provide personalized, hands-on service. We pride ourselves on offering custom solutions to meet your business needs and budget.
Can you help us find grant funding or financing?
Absolutely! Keith & Associates excels at helping clients find the capital they need to start or expand operations. We have an incredible amount of experience with bank loans, federal and provincial grant programs, and investment deals involving private investors and venture capitalists. We also have extensive experience helping companies find the right combination of financing, an important consideration for any enterprise.
From 2006 to 2009 Corey Keith served as the president of AVNet, a not-for-profit company that connected entrepreneurs with a national network of over 150 private angel investors. With considerable experience and contacts in the financial world, Keith & Associates is well positioned to help clients access funding when it is needed most.
Do you offer seminars, workshops or presentations?
Yes! Keith & Associates gives seminars, workshops and keynote presentations on the business of doing business. We can accommodate all kinds of audiences, from early-stage entrepreneurs and industry association members, to management and staff at established companies and government departments and agencies.
Some of our topics are:
- Sources of Funding and the Pros and Cons of Each
- Understanding Financial Statements – What Are They trying to Tell You? (Not an Accounting Class)
- The Top Ten Ways for Companies to Attract Capital
- The Managerial Stages of New Venture Growth
- Trouble Signs in a Company
- Build and Maintain Networks – The Key to Success
- Completing Due Diligence
- Assessing and Mitigating Risk
- Build a Business Plan with Impact!
- Debt – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
We would be pleased to customize a presentation for your next annual meeting, training session, or conference.
How do you work with your Associates?
To better serve our clients’ diverse needs, Keith & Associates provides a hassle-free, “one-stop shopping” experience. We do this by working with highly skilled professionals, our Associates, with expertise in different areas of business, such as law, accounting, management, engineering, marketing, strategy, financing and more. Whether you need to prepare for a meeting with a future investor, conduct a feasibility study for a new enterprise, or develop a marketing plan for a new product line, Keith & Associates will assign a senior-level consultant to your project.
In addition to the quality individuals listed on our Associates page, we have a network of service providers who offer all sorts of business supports, from website development and graphic design to corporate communications. We would be pleased to refer you to them.
How do I know I will be working with a senior consultant?
We believe in working very closely with our clients at Keith & Associates. You will work directly with either our president, Corey Keith, one of our Associates, or a combination of both. We do not use our senior consultants to attract business and then pass your project off to junior staff. We do the work ourselves to deliver the highest possible level of service.
Do you charge by the hour or a set project fee?
We do both! Keith and Associates is paid on either an hourly basis or a set project fee for the work we do on behalf of our clients. Project fees, or a fixed price agreement, are mostly used for larger projects where it is possible to define the amount of time required. We are happy to discuss payment structure options with our clients.