Case Studies

Challenge:

To offer clients a richer and more engaging portfolio management service and experience. At the same time, identify ways to streamline the advice process and the back office, so that portfolio and investment changes can be executed more efficiently. Explore opportunities for an improvement in revenues and profitability.

Our response:

We identified that a managed accounts service, coupled with innovative platform technology, would go a long way to meeting the challenge. We helped the client understand it's options and then created a detailed brief, and request for tender, which enabled a comprehensive market scan of alternatives. We led and project managed the engagement with third party vendors, steering our client along the way, so they could ask the right questions, conduct due diligence, and ultimately decide on their preferred solution and business partners. We helped the firm create it's own investment committee by bringing together qualified professionals to form the committee and help the firm oversee and manage it's client portfolios. We worked alongside vendors to manage delivery and execution of the project towards an agreed timeline.

Result:

The client now has it's own separately managed accounts service, under a private label, which it offers to clients of the firm. A choice of models exist within the managed accounts service, managed through a rigorous process, overseen by the firm's investment committee and independently appointed asset consultants and investment professionals. Clients are now able to access a discretionarily managed investment service which takes away the stress and hassle of looking after their investments while remaining connected through regular communications and updates. The firm has been able to tap into new revenue streams while streamlining it’s back office process and procedures.

Challenge:

The Board of a professional body wanted to understand the disruptive forces at play impacting their member businesses. They also wanted to know how their members could better prepare and deal with future disruption to existing operating and business models.

Our response:

Using our knowledge and experience in this area, we conducted extensive research and prepared a comprehensive board pack outlining the numerous disruptive forces at play impacting the provision of professional advice, across technological innovation (digital), changing consumer demands, demographic and regulatory trends. Our research included one on one interviews with senior industry representatives to seek their views and corroborate our findings. We provided several recommendations for the Board to consider, as possible strategic responses.

Result:

Our client was much better informed on the disruption that could impact their member firms. Through our recommendations, they could consider and prioritise strategic options and initiatives to better future proof their business and the advice businesses of their member firms.

Challenge:

To identify new ways of growing their business and overcoming revenue stagnation.

Our response:

After identifying a number of strategic growth opportunities, we suggested a range of initiatives and strategies to move the business forward. We also adopted a project management and implementation role.

Result:

The establishment of the firm’s own in-house services, including their labelled self-managed super fund service. This initiative has already developed into an effective new income stream. Other recommended initiatives are also in development as we continue our association.

Challenge:

To ascertain the best way of packaging and selling their business intelligence to other small and medium-sized independent accounting firms.

Our response:

After reviewing their offer’s packaging and business model structure, we proposed an alternative business model, undertook market research and client surveys to ascertain market support for the product, and developed a business plan that was central to securing the required start-up funding. We also took control of their project team - a step that enabled the project sponsors to focus on their existing responsibilities while simultaneously ensuring that the project progressed unabated.

Result:

After three-months, we developed the project to a point where critical funding was approved. The firm has subsequently progressed to a soft product launch and secured its first group of customers.

Challenge:

To help them sell more of their products through intermediaries

Our response:

We provided key distribution analysis advice, adopted a hands-on role and became an extension of their existing sales team. We also provided introductions to potential customers and helped them win sophisticated long-term sales.

Result:

The firm achieved new sales through traditional financial advisory channels and also signed two distribution agreements with online platforms. This represented an exciting and fundamental shift from their traditional business pathway.

Challenge:

To evaluate a prototype advisory service and suggest some structural development options.

Our response:

After verifying that their product concept was extremely sound, we undertook steps to overcome a number of structural and packaging issues that were preventing success.

Result:

After significantly improving the product’s marketability, we enabled the revision of the prototype for successful use in future applications.