Making Business Better in Alexandria, VA
Overview
Making Business Better, led by Jeff Porter in Alexandria, Virginia, applies a set of self-developed principles and practical business frameworks across business and career coaching, advisory services, and consulting. The practice supports startups at all stages and small businesses with quality management, succession planning, sales, and disciplined problem-solving, drawing on expertise in Lean Six Sigma and work in the government sector.
Specialties & expertise
Approaches they mention
- Lean / Six SigmaProcess improvement discipline. What’s this? →
Credentials & programs
Named programs
Methodologies & assessments
Also works as
Frequently asked questions
What does Making Business Better specialize in?
Making Business Better lists business and career coaching, advisory services, funding services, quality management, succession planning, sales, consulting and process improvement. The questions below explain these areas in plain terms — every listed area comes from the provider’s own site or profile.
What is a career coach?
A career coach helps individuals navigate transitions, growth, and decisions — clarifying goals, improving how they present themselves, and building a plan to reach the next step.
What does an HR or people & culture consultant do?
An HR consultant advises on hiring, retention, org design, compliance, and the systems that help a team perform — expertise growing companies rarely have in-house. Succession planning is the forward-looking piece: who is ready for the key roles before the vacancy happens, ownership transitions included.
What does a sales coach do?
A sales coach works with owners and sales teams to set targets, sharpen messaging and process, and build the skills and accountability that turn activity into revenue. Sales training teaches technique in sessions; sales coaching follows through until the numbers move — many providers do both.
What is the difference between coaching and consulting?
A consultant diagnoses a problem and recommends — often implements — a solution; a coach develops you and your team to make better decisions and execute consistently. Consulting buys expertise; coaching builds capability. Many providers offer both, so check which mode an engagement actually is before you compare prices.Coaching vs consulting vs mentoring →
What does an operations consultant do?
An operations consultant focuses on how the work gets done — processes, systems, and execution. Where a strategy consultant asks what the business should do next, operations work makes the current engine run better: throughput, quality, cost, and the handoffs in between.
What are advisory services?
Ongoing expert guidance to leadership — reviewing decisions, finances, or strategy on a continuing basis rather than a one-time project. The advisor acts as an experienced sounding board.
What are funding services?
Funding services help businesses secure capital, from identifying loan and investor options to preparing applications and connecting with funding sources.
What is quality management?
Quality management is the system of processes and standards a business uses to consistently meet requirements and reduce defects — often built around frameworks like ISO 9001. Consultants implement these systems and prepare companies for certification.
What is Lean Six Sigma?
A method combining Lean (eliminating waste and delay) with Six Sigma (reducing errors using data). Practitioners help businesses make processes faster, cheaper, and more consistent.
What does a startup focus mean?
The provider specializes in early-stage companies, where the challenges — finding product-market fit, raising capital, and building fast with few resources — differ from running an established business.
What does a government focus mean?
The provider works with public-sector agencies or companies that sell to them, where procurement rules, budget cycles, and accountability requirements differ sharply from the private sector.
What is a fractional CFO?
A fractional CFO is an experienced finance leader who works with a company part-time, bringing CFO-level expertise in cash flow, profitability, forecasting, and capital without the cost of a full-time hire.
What does a fractional CFO do?
A fractional CFO sets up financial reporting and forecasting, improves cash flow and margins, supports fundraising or lending, and gives owners the numbers and guidance to make better decisions.
When does a business need a fractional CFO?
Typically when finances outgrow a bookkeeper but do not yet justify a full-time CFO — for example during growth, fundraising, tighter cash flow, or preparing for a sale.