Advisory Services

An external perspective on your business is always a good thing, it can help you plan and implement real strategic priorities that will take your business forward.

We apply tried and tested methods based on:

• Strategic foundation: defining the company's vision, business mission, long-term objectives, key performance indicators, market analysis and finally articulating the strategic direction
• Business strategy: using gap analysis and strategic alignment to draw out key success factors, identifying key issues and defining priorities for implementation
• Marketing strategy: customer segmentation, target markets and customer propositions
  

This is a fundamental part of a strategic marketing plan and is often not given adequate attention because of time or information constraints.

We have a team of skilled researchers who conduct detailed analysis quickly and cost effectively. Specialising in sector overviews, customer profiles, competitor analysis, proposition testing and marketing opportunities, the team deliver up to the minute information to help build strong foundations for future marketing strategies.

The centre of any marketing strategy, propositions are based on core attributes that customers value as well as your company's ability to meet customers' needs and expectations.

Our integrated approach to marketing and communications means that your proposition is brought to life in all of your marketing activities, resulting in a more powerful and distinctive marketing programme with direct business benefits.

Developing a niche is one of the best ways to focus your business and raise brand awareness. Our advisory service helps you to identify and prioritise niches and build a dominant market position within these niches including:

• External analysis of business opportunities, customers, competitors and the market environment
• Capability assessment to ensure the business is fit to exploit the opportunity
• Marketing framework for the niche, including proposition and messaging
• Implementing the marketing programme to maximise the business opportunities

Used constructively customer feedback drives your business performance. This is done through:

• Performance tracking - customers' assessment of your performance over time tracked against your strategic business objectives
• Benchmarking - monitoring your performance on customer service measures against key competitors - both in and outside your sector
• Product and service delivery - using customer feedback to stimulate innovation

Are a cost effective way to keep your finger on the pulse and a clever soft sell with both existing customers and targeted non-customers. Customer Advisory Boards will normally meet 3-4 times a year over a full working day. We offer a full service from the set-up phase through to the board meetings including:

• Recruitment of board members
• Coordinating session leaders and external speakers
• Setting the meeting protocol
• Agenda development and execution
• Session planning
• Venue selection and booking
• Output report and recommendations

Business managers and their teams should set aside time on a regular basis to organise their thoughts about where their business is going, the competitive environment and to formulate strategies for their business.

We give you the opportunity to think and plan in a condusive environment providing a flexible service which covers;

• Preparation - from venue finding and booking, to preparing the agenda, board papers and presentations
• On-site services - providing independent skilled facilitators, coordinating logistics and looking after delegates throughout the day
• Output and implementation - output reports and recommendations, priority actions and implementation plans