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Experience LibraryThough every business situation is unique, it is rare that we are confronted by a case where some past experience was not of direct relevance to formulating a path forward. From our advisor's experience library of over 700 projects please find 50 examples of engagements delivered in the following industry sectors:
Agribusiness & Natural ResourcesOrganization "Pretty up" and Orchestration of an Oil & Gas Exploration and Development Company's IPO on NASDAQ Working 4 months ahead of the Lead Underwriter's and Lead Counsel's engagement, the challenge was to organize and "clean up" 10 years worth of drilling partnerships, land records, and corporate documentation. Utilizing due diligence checklists from prior underwriting situations, a prioritized plan of 1,400 activities was created to guide the contributions of 20 senior staff. A war room of 4,000 documents and a Transaction Overview of 300 pages was produced in advance of the Kick-off. With the process organization so advance by the Kickoff, the Company's Executive team was able to have greater control over the process, versus other possible arrangements that would have resulted in a lower offering price. The IPO successful occurred in 2004. Rural Agricultural Outputs and Inputs Evaluation to Quantify Agricultural Sector Reform Progress for a Multinational Donor A primary market research and analysis program undertaken throughout Ukraine aimed at assessing the progress of land privatization, producer cooperatives, and to pinpoint weaknesses in the agricultural production value chain. Over 250 villages visited in 6 regions, generating over 10,000 data points. Data and subsequent analysis used to fine-tune program designs, and to revamp data collection methodologies for future evaluations. Investment Opportunity evaluation of the Chilean Timber Industry and its potential for forestry products to the US Market Working with international timber industry experts and the founders, the evaluation team conducted a systematic review of the marketplace and its potential attractiveness to new entrants. Evaluation involved a combination of industry interviews, distributor interviews and potential customer "product concept" tests to confirm project viability. Global study of the prevalence and scale of Country-sponsored transaction funding in the Timber and Forest-Products Investment Arena Joining forces with the Government Affairs team of the US' timber and forestry-products association, the challenge was to document 60 years of export funding that 7 major governments had provided to their industry as a means to increasing their global competitiveness. Working with databases and public finance records from around the world, the team was able to identify more than 4,500 funding events spanning more than 100 countries. The results became a cornerstone of a political action aimed at leveling the playing field for US producers. Arts, Education and CultureCultural Preservation Program aimed at preserving the Cultural-heritage Assets in 25 Countries across Africa and South-Asia On behalf of a multi-national foundation, a team of experts was assembled to determine the scope of work dimensions, funding mechanisms, and operating options as necessary to implement a large scale effort in cultural-heritage preservation in countries where economic constraints made such national investments difficult. The work involved all aspects of implementation: from procurement, through collections management, conservation, display, interpretation, property rights, and commercialization. National Youth Sports and Physical Education Initiative to counter the National Obesity Epidemic in a Prominent Muslim Country On a mandate from the Ministry of Education, the challenge was to design a national program from the ground-up where 7 million youth could be positively impacted in less than 10 years. Drawing on a global network of sports development leaders, a "think tank" of 25 contributors including global sports industry leaders, leading sport associations, and independent experts was built. A core team then developed the necessary business case, national philosophy and vision, program development objectives, and the detailed designs for the programs, budgets and sequencing necessary to fast-track participation in the hundreds of thousands, and generate impact at the national level. Emerging Markets Experience Program for US Graduate Students Over the course of a decade, members of our group have evolved what is now a structured 10-week on-the-job learning experience for US business school students. The work involves the hands-on development and delivery of a business project for an operation in emerging markets. One of the keys to the program is the use of a Skills-Knowledge-Experience inventory process whereby each participant evaluates their capabilities at the onset, and through lectures, brown-bags, and on-the-job work, rapidly advances their skill base by the conclusion of the work. Approximately 350 students have benefited from this program over the past decade. Associations & FoundationsBuilding the Project Evaluation and Funding function for a Global Humanitarian Foundation based in London, UK On behalf of an ultra-high net worth family, the challenge was to establish a team and processes as necessary to rapidly evaluate 700+ humanitarian project funding opportunities on 3 continents, without a degradation in due diligence depth. Our experts were responsible for an innovative learning experience that saw the creation of a temporary team of 145 graduate school interns, whose project due diligence efforts could be guided by a small team of full-time senior professionals. Evaluation processes were established, and through the application of standardized systems and methods, the application portfolio was processed through to a final funding budget in under 3 months. Project Management Education Foundation and the leadership of a Global Post-Disaster Project Management Methodology Development Following the South Asian Tsunami of 2004, our expert was recruited to join the Steering Committee for a global professional effort to support recovery and reconstruction in Southeast Asia. Working virtually with professionals from 14 countries, the challenge was to educate team leaders in post-disaster management settings. Utilizing case studies and personal experiences, our experts helped train, and then strategically direct the methodology development teams based on rare and hard-to-find best practice information. The work was published and is now in use in more than 25 countries around the world. Establishing a National Business Association from the Ground Up in an Emerging Market Over the course of 12 months, our experts lead the day-to-day effort to create a national franchise association in a country of 130 million, where none had existed previously. The work involved the recruitment and coordination of both international and local founding members, the legal formation, the planning and budgeting effort, and the revenue model development. The association was launched at the global annual industry convention, and remains a positive force 7 years on. Post-Disaster Advance Coordination Framework development for Global Implementation in National Recovery and Reconstruction Settings Following the success of a prior engagement, one of our experts presently heads a Steering Committee on disaster response coordination, and helps guide an expanded international team of project management professionals working to improve coordination between international, national and government bodies during the response to major disasters. Part of this work involves serving as the primary link between the project and the disaster risk management industry, and the regular surveying of the industry's views and opinions on the framework and its development. A by-product of this effort has been the formulation of new volunteer care guidelines that reflect the changing attitudes and expectations of high-profile volunteers. Banking, Investments and Capital MarketsNew Bank Product Designs and Customer Account Management Approach in a fluid Banking and Financial Services Marketplace for an Up & Coming Bank The challenge for a rapidly growing full-service bank in Moscow, Russia was to understand what products were most sought after by the existing customer base. Starting with account holder records, the experts began analyzing data to only discover large-scale inaccuracies and missing fields. Working with all branch managers, a data collection effort was launched to redo 100% of all account holders records by interviewing 100% of the visiting customers. Then, with a strong field force in place, the branch managers were used to conduct more in-depth "usage & attitude" surveys and an "unmet needs" study. What was learned was that the existing silos – retail consumers, corporate business and investment banking – were not cross-selling and bridging effectively in an environment where the customer needed all three types of core banking services. The work lead to a restructuring of account management, selling, and product development functions. Strategies for Adopting new Accounting Rules and Regulations and their impact on a Newly Opened Economy in the Balkans Working with the Office of the Chief Economist at the Securities & Exchange Commission in the United States, our on-the-ground expert became a focal point for one Balkan country's national debate surrounding which system of accounting would be best for a country that had recently emerged from 70 years of communism and a restricted capital markets. Through a process of white papers, speeches in Parliament and close-door sessions with the Prime Minister and his key cabinet officials, a national-scale misstep was avoided, and a technical assistance program was funded to allow for a more thorough debate and consideration. Impact Evaluation and Project Turn-around Planning for a Multi-lateral Bank-funded, Micro-Credit Lending initiative in a New Central Asian Republic In support of a multinational donor agency, the experts were responsible for conducts audits and surveys of management and operation among all Multi-lateral bank-funded micro lenders (50+ units nationwide), to evaluate the current status and performance. The work identified critical governance shortfalls and failed credit controls that led to the restructuring of the national project. Business and Operations Planning for a Billion-dollar Sovereign Wealth Fund to be launched by two Middle Eastern Kingdoms On behalf of the CEO of the National Investment Company, our experts were an integral part of the team that created the comprehensive business and operating plan for the shareholders that drew on hard-to-find "best practices" in the sovereign wealth fund industry. Touching on all operating dimensions – from organization & leadership to risk management & funding – the plan became the basis of the shareholders agreement and the blue print for its formal launch. Concept Testing and Implementation Planning for a Central-bank funded SME / Franchise Business Venture Fund to Stimulate Business Ownership in Malaysia Working with franchise and small business experts, the task was to analyze available funding sources for SMEs and Franchisees, and to plot the gaps such that the Central bank's efforts could be appropriately directed. The work resulted in a national round table where representatives of 20 banks engaged with the Central Bank's planners to formulate a gameplan for improved lending to this sector. Of critical importance was the work with individual bank committees on effective lending risk profiling for SME and franchise business opportunities. Computer Technologies & MISGlobal competitive assessment for Gallium-Arsenide Wafer Production as a basis for Advanced Micro-processors On behalf of an Asian manufacturer / investor group, the assignment was to gather real-time competitive intelligence on the major player's plans for advancing the micro-processor marketplace, with investments in a more advanced substrate for chips (gallium-arsenide). The team became fluent in the benefits attributable to the various substrates, and through a global research effort (conforming to SOCRP standards) gathered extensive data on the competition's view and plans. The intelligence collected triggered a re-thinking of the investment, saving hundreds of millions of dollars. Business Development for a Major Offshore Software Development House Working with the marketing and sales team of this Indian powerhouse, our challenge was to secure access to CIO's at major US-based companies, and to sell outsources software production capability. Members of our team helped engineer the plan and the marketing materials, and then lead the effort to break into the highest ranks of CIOs in the country. The program ran successfully for 18 months, until the North American management felt capable of taking over. Five Year IT Strategic Plan for the US Department of Labor Members of our team were brought in to fast track the completion of the 27-agencies, IT plan on behalf of the Department's CIO. This effort occurred at a time when the President's Management Agenda was not yet fully understood, and the message from the Secretary of the Department was to "not screw up" and jeopardize the Department's chances of achieving "All Green". Our team members rationalized all of the legislative and executive mandates, into a clear "checklist" of required items and set about producing a compliant plan. The strategy for the plan and it contents were presented to the Department's office, bureau and agency heads in such a manner that final approvals came quickly and with minimal debate. Consumer Goods & ServicesBrand Health Monitoring Methodology to better manage a 15-country Strategic Brand Rollout for a World Leading FMCG Company. Our experts headed 28 separate product studies through a multi-wave brand equity analysis based on complex quantitative primary market research conducted across the major urban centers of Russia and the CIS. The methodology that was developed over the course of 2 years involved re-combination of three standard consumer surveying tools into a single "dash board" style view of the "Brand's Health". Similar in concept to the Millward Brown tool, this methodology represented an advancement over existing approaches. After two years of pilot operations, the model was adopted as the company's "gold standard" for brand performance research. Inside Russia: the first-ever National Household Lifestyle Survey to analyze the Russian Consumer Marketplace Designed following standard lifestyle surveys employed in many developed countries, the challenge was to implement the same type of study with 400 questions across 250 cities and 30,000 households at the same point in time. Utilizing a series of pilot and field force testing, the survey instrument and field force were developed such that a simultaneous snap shot of the 136 million person marketplace could be made to ESOMAR standards. The ensuing data became the foundation of the most insightful and accurate study of the Russian consumer market in existence. The work was widely quoted by industry and news services on a global basis for nearly two years. Quantitative and Qualitative Consumer Research studies to support Brand Development and Management Decisions for FMCG and Luxury Goods Market Demand / Market Opportunity Study for the purchase of an international license to open and operate a national chain of consumer goods stores in the Middle East. (Children's toys, Children's entertainment). Primary market research, competitive intelligence gathering, and associated market opportunity consultancy. Market Demand / Market Opportunity Study to support the acquisition of the license to establish a globally-renowned "family entertainment" resort concept. Primary market research, competitive intelligence gathering, and associated market opportunity consultancy. B2B Study of Fixed Telecommunications market – Size, usage volume, existing equipment, usage & attitude, investment, purchase intent and associated business interpretation for the members of the Investment Steering Committee. National assessment of the US Rowing Marketplace – Size, Segmentation, Behaviors, Motivations, Usage & Attitude, Product Penetration, Spending, Purchase intent and associated consultancy with the 20+ syndicated study participants. B2B Performance Benchmarking / Oil &Gas, Retailing, Banking Services –multiple benchmarking and process improvement programs for leading western and local firms. Primary operations research and associated performance evaluation consultancy. Market Opportunity Study for the market potential following the acquisition of Flat Glass Production –post-acquisition marketing consultants on an international market demand / market opportunity study for the manufacturing of flat glass in Russia. Consumer Usage & Attitude / Consumer Lifestyle – Headed analysis of the first national lifestyle survey in Russia. (10,000 households) that became the basis for formulating highly-accurate market demand / market size estimations for more than 50 "blue-chip" companies seeking to enter the market. Market Demand / Market Opportunity Assessment for 3M's contemplated investment in Occupational health and safety equipment manufacturing. Primary B2B market research, competitive intelligence gathering, and associated market opportunity consultancy. Market Demand / Market Opportunity Study for the establishment of national distribution network for Ford Motor Cars in Russia. Primary market research, concept testing, competitive intelligence gathering, and associated market opportunity consultancy. Market Evaluation / Business Case for the creation of a personal cosmetics manufacturing facilities in Egypt and Saudi Arabia (soaps, shampoo, etc.) Primary market research, concept testing, competitive intelligence gathering, and associated market opportunity consultancy. Interim General Management for the Master Franchise Holder of a leading International Restaurant Franchise in Europe Hired at the outset by the Master Franchisee, the challenge was to rapidly build out the national franchise operation from scratch. One of our team members became the acting General Manager and lead all development efforts – from site selection and acquisition, through recruitment and sourcing. As one of the first international franchises into the country, our expert was required to pioneer in areas where few had gone before: import duty negotiations, accounting treatment of royalties and training expenses, soft vegetable production, and site ownership complexities.
Governments & Multilateral Organizations
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