The Role Of International Strategic Consultants In Building Successful Multinationals

By Ruthie Livingston


Over the years, there have been many challenges that the multinationals have had to cope with in the international marketplace. This calls for businesses to develop a strategic vision and follow that up with strategies on every front. That way, they are able to maintain their competitive edge over their competitors and remain profitable in the end. Enlisting the assistance of international strategic consultants is a step towards the right direction.

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.

For a company to survive in a global market, it should look at ways of diversifying its revenue sources. There is always a risk that technology would change in making the current good obsolete, a change of regulations may also impact on the business negatively and customers may shift their preferences to new products. With the assistance of a consultant, business can develop a pipeline for innovation and produce better products. The business is also able to unearth hidden customer wants and provide solutions to the same.

The workforce is a company greatest asset. With an effective workforce, a firm can develop innovative solutions, offer value to its customers, and head its set goals and targets. A business may seek assistance in designing an effective organization, developing leadership, managing performance, developing its workforce, and selecting the best business service providers for quality service.

The growth of a company may be measured by its vertical and horizontal integration. One of the horizontal growth strategies is by merging with others and acquisitions of the rival establishments. These give the business access to already established markets and working systems that were held by the rivals. Assistance is needed in identifying the right target, due diligence the process of screening targets, post-merger integration and all other aspects mergers and acquisitions.

All business strategies are supported by a functional strategy. This is the actual planning of the daily activities that will assist the business in achieving the main goals and strategies. A business may require expertise in planning for its back office operations that include procurement, human resources, finance, and information technology. Some of the solutions that consultants assist a business in leveraging include outsourcing for finance for expansion, working capital management, and performance management solutions such as SAP.

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.

Given the broad challenges in the international market, most consultants offer support in a few areas. These include staffing, operations, technology, process improvement, and sales consulting among many more. It is important for a business to pick a consultancy firm that has the expertise in the area that the business requires assistance.




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