Nutrition Care Systems, Inc. Business Profile

Dorothy Stewart first visited the Illinois Small BusinessDevelopment Center (ISBDC) at Elgin Community College (ECC) in May, 2011.  Her company, Nutrition Care Systems, Inc.(NCS) had made great strides since its inception in 1993, providing expert nutrition and food service guidance to a wide variety of long-term care facilities and healthcare agencies throughout the state of Illinois.

Today, and after 18 years in business, NCS employs a staff of 30 dieticians that serve 200 long term care facilities.  At our first meeting, Dorothy made it clear that she wants to position the company for significant growth, and needs to implement essential processes to make that happen.  She was seeking assistance from the ISBDC to help assess the areas needing attention, and ultimately looking for recommendations to implement the discipline, processes, and organizational structure to take the company to the next level.

Lisa Stewart, Dorothy’s daughter and NCS VP/COO, has been charged with developing the changes necessary to lead the company’s growth.  Lisa meets regularly with the ISBDC to explore areas of the company that will benefit from improved systems and staff efficiencies, while still delivering on Dorothy’s commitment to helping Long Term Care facilities provide for nutritional and emotional needs while maintaining the highest quality of life for their patients.

During their association, the ISBDC and NCS have identified and implemented improvements in several areas: 

• Customer service:  Institute proactive steps to anticipate and monitor customer issues before they become significant
• Key operating statistics:  Identify metrics based on elemental data, and regularly review them,  providing more timely control over business fluctuations
• Marketing:  Identify programs to acquire additional customers
• Accounts Receivable:  Implement new policies to optimize cash flow management
• Financial:  Institute an annual budget process that includes management participation

Lisa Stewart adds:  “Working with Sybil Ege of the ISBDC over the past several months has proved very beneficial.  Not only has she been able to advise and direct us on issues we identified as needing attention, but also has shed light on other areas of operations that could benefit from additional focus and improvement.  Her advice ranges from corporate vision, strategy and implementation to personal support and encouragement through the various challenges of entrepreneurship.  Although working with the ISBDC during the early stages of NCS would have been advantageous, we find it just as beneficial to work together now – 18 years later – as we navigate through this next phase of mature growth and renewal.  Many thanks to the ISBDC for sharing such valuable experience and direction! “