$5M+
a year in operating savings from automation, outsourcing and paperless workflows
9×
digital revenue growth in two years, from $750K to $7M
$22.5M
in recurring revenue from a SaaS platform launched at $300K, in three years
6
acquisitions integrated in under two years, adding $25M in revenue
Results from Brian Blackman's roles as CEO, General Manager and Chief Customer Officer at a $258M multichannel media and marketing-technology company.
Who we help
Owners who have built something worth building on
We work with companies of $10M to $50M in revenue, and larger, anywhere in the US.
01
Established businesses adding digital revenue
Your core business works. You want a second source of growth, built on the customers and relationships you already have.
02
Owner-led companies building a stronger team
Too many decisions still run through you. We build the structure, rhythm and leaders so the business runs well without you in every meeting.
03
Owners buying, merging or preparing to sell
We integrate what you acquire, and get the business ready for a buyer's questions: clean numbers, written processes and a team that runs it.
Services
Five ways we help
Buy one, or combine them. Every engagement follows the same process and is measured on the same scorecard.
Operations and automation
Map how work really gets done, then cut the manual steps, handoffs and rework. Automate, outsource or go paperless where it pays.
Legacy-to-digital
Add digital products and services your current customers will buy, run as their own unit with their own budget and scorecard.
Recurring-revenue products
Turn one-time work into subscriptions, platforms or retainers that steady cash flow and add to what the business is worth.
Fractional COO
Senior operating leadership one or two days a week, without a full-time hire.
Acquisition integration
Bring each acquired company onto one set of processes, systems and standards, so every deal adds what it promised.
OPERATIONS AND AUTOMATION · AN EXAMPLE
Same order, fewer hands
A typical order process, before and after. Steps that only move information from one place to another go first. People keep the decisions that need judgment.
An illustration of the kind of workflow we redesign, not a client case.
BEFORE · 7 STEPS, 4 OF THEM RETYPING OR PAPER
-
Automated
01
Order arrives by email
-
Removed
02
Retyped into a spreadsheet
-
Removed
03
Printed for sign-off
-
By exception
04
Waits on a manager
-
Removed
05
Rekeyed into billing
-
Removed
06
Paper copy filed
-
Automated
07
Customer emailed by hand
AFTER · 4 STEPS, PEOPLE HANDLE THE EXCEPTIONS
-
Automatic
01
Order comes in through a web form
-
Automatic
02
Checked against your rules
Unusual orders go to a person.
-
Automatic
03
Invoice created in billing
-
Automatic
04
Confirmation sent to the customer
How we work
The BlueTop Engineered Reinvention Process
Four stages over about 12 months. A gate closes each one, so you can stop at any gate and keep what you've paid for.
01Assess the foundation
02Set the grade
3AStrengthen the core
3BBuild the new
04Hold the grade
Gates
-
01 · WEEKS 1–4
Assess the foundation
A fact-based read of your operations, finances, customers and team, with savings and new revenue sized in dollars.
-
02 · WEEKS 5–8
Set the grade
Three to five measurable targets, a 12 to 18 month roadmap and your first 90-day plan.
-
03 · MONTHS 3–12
Build on two tracks
Strengthen the core business and build new digital revenue at the same time, in 90-day sprints.
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04 · MONTH 12 ONWARD
Hold the grade
Build the changes into budgets, roles and reviews, so results last after we step back.
Results
From print to digital, while the core business grew
At a $258M multichannel media and marketing-technology company, Brian Blackman led the move from print to digital as Chief Customer Officer and then CEO.
He cut more than $5M a year in operating costs through automation, outsourcing and paperless workflows, while launching new digital products and the company's first SaaS platform. Along the way, the company bought and integrated six businesses.
COMPANY REVENUE · 3 YEARS
1.7×growth
DIGITAL REVENUE · 2 YEARS
9×growth
SAAS RECURRING REVENUE · 3 YEARS
75×growth
$2.7M
Automation and outsourcing
$2.4M
Paperless workflows
About
Led by an operator
Brian Blackman founded BlueTop Strategy Partners after leading a $258M media company from print to digital as its CEO, GM and Chief Customer Officer. He helps companies run leaner and build new digital revenue.
Earlier, he led creative and marketing work for national brands including Verizon Wireless, Arby's, Pizza Hut, Subway and Globe Life.
Free tools
How ready is your business for what comes next?
Answer ten questions about how much still runs through you, how clearly you see your numbers and what you have to build on. Get a score and two first steps you can bring to a 30-minute review.