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Friday, August 28, 2015

The Role Of International Strategic Consultants In Building Successful Multinationals

By Ruthie Livingston


To survive in the volatile economic times and take advantage of the available opportunities, businesses need to develop a strategic vision. A good business strategy helps the business maintain sustainable competitive advantage without sacrificing its profitability. The business may not have the expertise to develop the relevant strategies in the worldwide marketplace Thus, hiring an international strategic consultants would be the best idea.

An international consultant helps a business develop robust business unit and corporate strategies and align its resources and personnel to the set goals. This deals with such challenges that include market assessment, strategic planning process design, scenario planning, and alliance management. A corporate wide strategy sets the tone that the company integrates in its daily activities.

In the current international marketplace, firms cannot afford to rely on a single source of revenue. There is always an inherent danger of failure owing to change of customer tastes and preferences, government policies, change in technology. With the assistance of a consultant, a business is able to develop its innovative talent, research, and development, and is able to develop brands that result from the new products on a global scene. Further, the business is able to reveal some needs that have not been adequately satisfied and develop solutions that satisfy such needs.

The employees of a firm are its most valuable resource. An effective team is innovative, creates quality and value for clients, and is able to reach the set goals. Business turns to consultants in the development of an efficient business model, organizational design, performance management, leadership management, and selection of quality business service providers for its own needs.

Horizontal and vertical growth are a sign of success. Some of the common horizontal growth strategies are mergers and acquisitions. The complex nature of both requires someone with in-depth knowledge in the area. A business may turn to consultancies to assist in identifying the right target, screening those firms, due diligence and integrating the firms after a merger. This opens new markets and systems to the business boosting its growth.

A functional strategy is the grease that keeps the wheels of other strategies running. It incorporates actual daily activities that are geared towards the achievement of set goals and corporate strategies. Examples of functional strategies that a business may require assistance in developing include back office operations such as procurement, information strategy, finance, and human resources. Examples of areas where a business may need function strategy formulation assistance include working capital management, finance outsourcing and running of performance control and management solutions like SAP solutions.

If a business is not able to put the strategies into action, it is better as having never formulated the strategies. Execution is much harder than the formulation process, as it requires training, resources and adopting the best practices. A consultant may assist in the development of a roadmap in strategy development, managing the process of change, training, and measuring success.

Most international consultancies pick on a few areas and offer assistance and support. They may pick such areas as human resource, information technology, process management, sales, or operations. Firms should pick consultants with experience in the area of need.




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