Strategic Consulting
Strategic Consulting
Time for bold and informed decisions
Strategic consulting
Strategic partnerships (mergers, acquisitions and divestments)
For the first time since the ‘velvet revolution’, Czech companies have had to take stock of their capability and competitiveness. The recession has forced companies to think seriously whether or not they will survive or thrive in the months and years ahead. Some companies may be able to take advantage of weakness in the market by growing organically or by acquiring a weaker or compatible competitor. Others may be looking for a partner offering acquisition in whole or part or providing access to new markets. Alpha offers a range of ‘Corporate Services’ for owners of businesses whose experience has not come across these difficult times before. Heading our corporate services business, Tony Wilson, who has vast experience gained in the Czech Republic and internationally, is willing to speak to business owners who need guidance on the practical steps they need to take whether it is:
- Finding a partner to acquire or invest in
- Finding a partner who will acquire them wholly or in part or will provide access to new markets
- Thinking through a new or revised strategy for the business
Tony Wilson, the head of our Corporate Services, is a Member of the CDI Group which has a network of members in most countries, world-wide. Through this network, Tony is able to access a very large number of complementary businesses who may be interested in our Czech clients.
One Page Strategy
Alpha has been supporting client strategy as the first step in many inward investment projects; sometimes to review a sound ‘business idea’ based on our local Central European knowledge, on other occasions to start from first principles. More recently, as successful inward investors and, indeed, locally owned companies face difficult recessionary times, new or updated strategies are needed by all.
To match this need, Alpha has reintroduced its One Page Strategy (OPS) product. This process is suited to Business Units, i.e. SMEs, satellites of foreign owned businesses and divisions of larger local companies.
It is not a process that involves teams of external experts handing down theoretical solutions; it is a methodology that allows the company’s Top Team to develop its own strategy by following the OPS process guided by consultants with considerable track records. It takes the owners or top team through their Ambitions, Visions, Goals, Targets and, most importantly, their Implementation programme.
Inputs are customer and staff surveys together with internal and external research data; outputs are the OPS document on one page together with back up materials (Key Issues, SWOT analyses, financial model, activity lists and programmes, etc.).
A normal OPS project takes three to four months. If company strategies and plans exist, the process may be shorter. To download a short presentation on OPS and a typical OPS document click here.
Strategy in a Cold Climate
Although OPS contains an essential short term improvements module, in these difficult times a more rigorous cost savings approach may be necessary. Alpha has modified its OPS process to incorporate an additional task force working on savings and short term benefits. The important point, however, is that these savings are not allowed to disrupt the medium term strategy. Too often, a ‘slash and burn’ approach to the short term compromises the future health of the business when strategy should start to impact on company performance.
Marketing and Sales
We have seen renewed interest from foreign companies, particularly from the UK, in researching and entering the Central European (CE) markets. The strength of the EUR and CZK against the GBP gives UK exporters an opportunity to approach both the CE markets and those EUR markets to the West with their product and service offerings. Alpha is able to assist these companies with targeted market research and develop the appropriate entry-level strategy. Alpha supports implementation whether the requirement is for an Agent, Distributor, Representative or a locally based Sales Office. In the latter case, Alpha offers the use of its fully serviced offices in the centre of Prague as an address and work place for an occasional or more permanent sales presence.
CE companies looking to the large Western markets can use Alpha’s connections throughout Europe to secure new business and all companies with marketing and sales interests in the region can use Alpha’s on the ground experience and our local marketing and PR partner JWA Prague s.r.o.
For more information, please contact: Rodney Yeadon at alphamanagementuk@gmail.com