Commodity Selloff

Commodities were broadly down 1.99% in early morning trading on April 15, 2013, following a second day of weak global economic reports. Friday brough disappointing U.S. (March) retail sales, and Monday’s first-quarter economic growth reading … … click PDF below to read more

Commodities Selloff (PDF)

A stronger economy would probably reduce the deficit

President Obama is proposing a federal budget which is between the extremes offered by the two major political parties. This middle ground budget proposal increases the possibility for a … click PDF below to read more

Macro Strategy (PDF)

Phoenix, AZ – Johnson Consulting Group’s influence in funeral service continues to grow as the company’s line of services and products increases as does their client base, which was evident at the fifth annual “Summit” conducted at the Kierland Westin in Phoenix, February 17, 18 and 19.

“The annual Summit allows our clientele to meet one another, and to share success stories, including projects JCG has assisted them with. We also invite prospective clients as a means of introducing them to our services, but to also collectively refine all of our understanding as to how a modern funeral business should be operated. Accomplishing this is a matter of inviting informed speakers, and an energetic schedule that challenges their thinking.” Jake Johnson, President of Johnson Consulting Group.

Building volume is fundamental to any successful funeral business today as profit margins continue to shrink from cremation and other factors. JCG addresses that challenge on a number of fronts, including Accounting, Customer Surveying, Incentive Compensation Programs, Business Brokering and much more. Many of the over 50 people in attendance have utilized JCG’s services as a means of strengthening their core businesses.
           
“…The Summit was another home run for all in attendance…We all know that change is not only coming, it is here and only those who embrace and welcome change and the uncertainty that comes with change have a chance to not only survive, but to thrive. I always enjoy the opportunity to meet new and interesting folks in our business and listen to the various ways they analyze the problem and their solutions.  As usual, I was not disappointed with content or presentation.  Both were spot on with an interesting mix of folks.” Michael Meierhoffer, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, St. Joseph, MO”

The Summit’s roster invited speakers include:

Kim Ryan
President, Batesville Casket Company

Mike DiBease
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Batesville Casket Company

Melanie Loyd
In It For Life

Glenn Gould
MKJ Marketing

Jake Johnson, Al Asta, and Greg Hilgendorf
Johnson Consulting Group

For additional information on Johnson Consulting Group’s services, and for an invitation to future JCG “Summit” conferences, contact JCG at 888-250-7747.

Phoenix, AZ – Jake Johnson, President of the Johnson Consulting Group (JCG), the death care industry’s premier Total Solutions Consulting Firm announced its winners of the “JCG 2012 Excellence In Customer Service Awards”. The Awards were presented to JCG client funeral homes who achieved the highest Overall Performance Scores from responses to family satisfaction surveys sent to each family they served during 2012. The JCG client funeral homes were divided into three categories based on call volume. The 2012 award recipients are:

Johnson Consulting Group announces
winners of the 2012 Excellence in
Customer Service Awards.

 Category One

Johnson Consulting Company started its customer survey program in 2008 and has experienced rapid and continuous growth. This large amount of survey results data has proved invaluable to providing insight into customer needs and satisfaction. The company attributes its rapid growth based on its ability to offer the program with no contract to sign, a low monthly cost and accessibility to its management experts for interpretation and usefulness of the reports. “Not only have these results been critical for meaningful benchmarking, but we find more and more of our customers are taking the next step and allowing us to implement our incentive based compensation program along with these results”…”Combined, these are powerful tools for promoting high levels of customers service and average sale at client funeral homes” says Jake Johnson.

If you would like to learn more about the JCG Performance Tracker™ and how it can help your firm, please call us at 888-250-7747 or click here or email us at info@JohnsonConsulting.com.

To the Johnson’s, Frank Puccio and all the staff at Johnson Consulting, thank you so much. Throughout the process beginning with evaluation to closing you were there for me. Your industry expertise, connections with qualified buyers and your negotiating skills all proved invaluable in attaining a satisfying outcome both for me and the buyer. I would highly recommend your services and wish you all the best of luck into the future.

Jay McHenry
McHenry Funeral Homes
Corvallis, Oregon

We are an extremely satisfied JCG client and have been for several years. We utilize JCG to the fullest from “Performance tracking to Accounting”. Naturally, we like to see high scores, return rates and praise, however, every so often, a family will voice displeasure. One of many ways we utilize the JCG Performance Tracker is when we give immediate attention to a red flagged survey. Families are appreciative of our sense of urgency and that we care enough to reach out and listen. This enhances our reputation of being a family owned firm who cares. This is just one way the JCG Performance Tracker has proven priceless.
Anthony P. Guerra
Guerra Gutierrez Mortuaries
Los Angeles, CA

Selling our company after 120 years of family ownership was a very difficult decision. Having developed a relationship with both Tom and Jake Johnson over the years made me much more comfortable in discussing my concerns openly. Their advice and counsel were invaluable in helping me reach my decision. Johnson Consulting Group’s disciplined and structured processes resulted in several very serious offers and maximized the value we received. I had been involved in both acquisitions and sales in the past, Tom and Jake proved to me the value of having knowledgeable, dedicated advisors in such an important transaction. Tom helped me put aside the emotional part of the decision and to recognize every business is faced with transition of ownership at some point. There was never any pressure for me to sell, Tom and Jake were sincere in wanting to help me reach a decision, whatever it might be. Tom made me realize he was more than a broker, he was a trusted advisor and friend, with my best interests at heart. JCG helped secure my family’s future and we are forever grateful.

Blair Nelsen, former owner
Nelsen Family Funeral Services, Inc

Johnson Consulting Group, through JCG Captial offer periodic releases on financial matters affecting personal and business wealth. This is made possible through a Strategic Partnership Program with Wells Fargo Advisors and the Urner, Lemos & Paul Financial Consulting Group. The recent release entitled “Understanding the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012″ was certainly worth sharing with our funeral business readership. Click on the PDF below for an in depth look into this article.

It’s true for all of us: Our perception influences our decisions. However, what we perceive isn’t always what’s really going on. Today many investors seem to be acting based on their perceptions of what’s happening in the economy and the markets, but those notions don’t necessarily match up with what our top strategists are observing in the markets and economy. On the following pages, our goal is to set the record straight on 10 issues that we believe are critical for investors to understand. Intelligent planning and investing are essential for investors to realize their financial goals.

To read this article in it’s entirety please click on the PDF below.

Inflation erodes your fixed income stream – click PDF to read more

Fixed Income Strategy (PDF)