Consulting Matters

OCTOBER 10, 2024

Set Up Marketing, Sales, and Client Delivery for Efficiency Time is your most valuable asset, especially when you’re a parent. That’s why it’s so important to set up your marketing, sales, and client delivery systems to work for you, not against you. Efficiency is the name of the game here.

Consulting 156

Consulting How To System Efficiency 156

Harvard Business

MAY 25, 2016

Sales reps are most effective when they have the right amount of support staff, but exactly how much support staff does a company need, and how should it be structured? Call it a Goldilocks quandary: Too little support, and your sales people can’t do their jobs well; too much, and you’re wasting money.

Sales 131

Sales ROI Efficiency Operations 131

Tom Spencer

OCTOBER 25, 2024

Small businesses are increasingly tapping into the power of AI to drive growth, enhance efficiency, and improve customer service. Increased Efficiency One of the most significant benefits AI offers small businesses is improved efficiency through automation. However, adopting AI is not without its challenges.

Small Business 78

Small Business Data Efficiency Tools 78

Tom Spencer

APRIL 7, 2023

This article will explore some of the most notable examples of AI in consulting, including its use in market research, strategy development, and operational optimisation. This article will explore some of the most notable examples of AI in consulting, including its use in market research, strategy development, and operational optimisation.

Examples 88

Examples Consulting Management Tools 88

Tom Spencer

JUNE 9, 2023

For example, businesses like Netflix, Youtube, Amazon, and Airbnb use AI-powered recommendation systems to suggest movies, videos, products, and rental properties based on a user’s browsing history, past purchases, and revealed preferences based on past behavior. These systems can suggest relevant products that customers are likely to enjoy.

Data 147

Data Operations Efficiency System 147

Consulting Success

APRIL 4, 2017

There’s nothing wrong with that number, except, what if the work you did for that client helped them to directly increase their sales by $400,000. When you understand what they are and how to identify them you can often earn even more than the example I shared above. Improvement in efficiency. Growth in profits.

Tourism 250

Tourism Consulting How To ROI 250

Effective Managers

JUNE 24, 2024

AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data, automate complex processes, and provide insights has revolutionized how businesses approach efficiency and innovation. AI in Streamlining Operations AI technology has made significant strides in optimizing operational efficiency.

Ethics 130

Ethics Efficiency Operations ROI 130

Tom Spencer

APRIL 7, 2023

Business development and sales are two of the most critical components of any successful business. They are closely related, with business development focusing on identifying new opportunities and building relationships, and sales being the process of actually closing deals and generating revenue.

Sales 88

Sales Development Research Marketing 88

Successful Independent Consulting

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Image generated by AI using a free version of Canva Of course you’ve heard of ChatGPT but are you using it to work smarter and more efficiently yet? Example: The initial image for this article was of a female assistant so I changed the prompt to “non-human assistant.”] If not, you should be! Gender, race, and age bias are common.

Productivity 195

Productivity Consulting Tools Efficiency 195

Harvard Business

MAY 25, 2016

Aggregated total sales is a poor proxy because firms need to distribute inventory geographically, necessitating hyperlocal forecasts. The traditional way of solving this problem is using time-series econometrics with historical sales data. Improved pricing. Predictive maintenance.

Data 132

Data Advertising Operations Case Study 132

Harvard Business

APRIL 14, 2017

For example, our survey, which asked managers of 13 functions, from sales and marketing to procurement and finance, to indicate whether their departments were using AI in 63 core areas, found AI was used most frequently in detecting and fending off computer security intrusions in the IT department. Insight Center. The Age of AI.

Company 179

Company Survey Finance Engineering 179

Management Consulted

NOVEMBER 20, 2013

However, in business, decisions can be effectively and efficiently made based on near-perfect data/calculations. You are measuring the existing market of an item in total units or totals sales ($) – it’s important to clarify up front which one it is. An example of this might be comparing the use of the U.S.

Case Interview 236

Case Interview Interviews Study Cover Letters 236

Harvard Business

JUNE 14, 2017

Data is not always shared efficiently. Many of the world’s biggest companies operate in silos — for example, their customer service and sales departments do not share a customer relationship management (CRM) database , and employees don’t collaborate around the customer to ensure a powerful customer experience.

Data 131

Data Banking Sales Accenture 131

Harvard Business

MARCH 30, 2017

The value of bank branches, for example, is no longer to manually process deposits, but to solve more complex customer problems like providing mortgages. market share in online sales. That allows the sales associates to focus on serving customers rather than wasting time and energy managing transactions. Redesign Jobs.

Efficiency 70

Efficiency How To Energy Accenture 70

Harvard Business

DECEMBER 17, 2018

Companies are beginning to utilize their employees’ behavioral data — generally known as people analytics — to better understand and improve their sales operations , with strong results. Microsoft, where we work, is no exception, and B2B sales is one of the areas where we are seeing the most value.

Sales 73

Sales Data Enterprise Analysis 73

Harvard Business

JUNE 12, 2017

The company collects thousands of sales leads from the businesses it serves, and it wishes to interact with them in the intimate, personal manner consumers have come to expect. The reps also become more efficient because Angie routes the right leads to the right reps. Analytics are critical to companies’ performance.

Sales 73

Sales Marketing Tools Telecommunications 73

Harvard Business

DECEMBER 14, 2018

These relationships can create efficient new sales channels and powerful feedback mechanisms or unlock entirely new business models. This is but one example of the digital Catch-22, the dilemma that most manufacturers and service companies face when creating new distribution channels. For example, Cree Inc.

Strategy 129

Strategy Strategy& Strategy Insurance 129

Harvard Business

JANUARY 2, 2018

For example, research has found that 93% of Pinterest users plan purchases on the platform and 87% have made a purchase after seeing a product they liked. Instagram has played an integral role in helping to lift sales for brands including Gatorade. Stories that evoke emotion tend to perform better than straight sales messages.

Media 140

Media Company ROI Metrics 140

Harvard Business

AUGUST 16, 2018

Consider the example of Nicolas, a regional sales vice president at a medical devices company. When promoted to his new role, he inherited a group of district sales managers responsible for selling to hospital systems in their respective geographies. Perceptions about his overall efficiency and effectiveness rose dramatically.

Turnaround 130

Turnaround Talent Groups Meeting 130

Harvard Business

MAY 16, 2017

Example #1: Applying for a position at a much higher level than your current job title. This was Sasha’s summary: Department Administrator – Efficiency Expert – Staff Manager - Crisis Handler. She backed up these general statements with a specific example of “resolving unexpected issues in a timely manner.”

Transportation 136

Transportation Real Estate Financial Operations 136

Harvard Business

MAY 23, 2016

We believe data-driven manufacturing is indeed the next wave that will drive efficient and responsive production systems. One example is an order for a product configured in a specific way. In theory, the whole system therefore becomes more efficient, minimizing wasted materials and activities. Insight Center.

Data 126

Data System Engineering Efficiency 126

LSA Global

MARCH 17, 2025

Top 8 Research-Backed Sales Management Skills to Master We know from sales management training that leading a sales can make or break sales performance. Sales success requires a thoughtful combination of strategic thinking , people skills, and analytical expertise to effectively lead, manage, and coach a sales team.

Sales 48

Sales Management Talent Metrics 48

Harvard Business

OCTOBER 10, 2017

A great salesperson will operate much more efficiently with a defined process for reaching out to prospects. For example, there are organizations that provide so much autonomy and freedom in how a process is executed that customers don’t receive consistent experiences. Imagine you’re leading a sales team.

Metrics 136

Metrics Engineering Operations Sales 136

Harvard Business

JUNE 20, 2018

But according to cognitive science , everybody, by virtue of having a brain that’s constantly seeking efficiency, is biased in some way — and not all biases make us actively malicious. In sales, it could be solely focusing on revenue targets, without considering how the quality of client relationships drives future business.

How To 135

How To Journal Groups Sales 135

Tom Spencer

NOVEMBER 3, 2018

Here are 7 e-commerce marketing techniques to boost your online sales. For example, you can use APIs to lower the cost of running an online shop and increase customer retention. APIs can be used to provide real-time shipping rates and other functionality that make the checkout process more efficient. Sound familiar?

Sales 60

Sales Media Advertising B2C 60

Tom Spencer

MARCH 10, 2023

For example, in the financial industry, AI can be used to detect fraud, predict stock prices, and manage risk. In manufacturing, AI can be used to optimise supply chains, increase the efficiency of production processes, and predict equipment failures. Accurate Predictions AI can also help consultants to make more accurate forecasts.

Consulting 88

Consulting Ethics Healthcare Retail 88

Harvard Business

JUNE 7, 2017

By contrast, companies with strong basic analytics — such as sales data and market trends — make breakthroughs in complex and critical areas after layering in artificial intelligence. For example, online retailers can adjust product prices daily because they have automated the collection of competitors’ prices.

Company 136

Company Telecommunications Data Retail 136

Harvard Business

MARCH 15, 2018

This notion is reflected by statements such as “We have seen similar examples of driven, competent men who take risks and manage to make it thrive,” and “He has proven to sustain his persistence all the way.” Operating margin: earnings per sales, which indicates the entrepreneur’s ability to earn revenue.

Data 133

Data Real Estate Finance Financial 133

Tom Spencer

MAY 24, 2024

For example, a manufacturing company might explore new markets or develop complementary products to ensure a more stable income. For example, during the 2008 financial crisis Microsoft used its large cash reserves to continue investing in software development and R&D, which has paid off in the long run.

Strategy 88

Strategy Strategy& Strategy Cash Flow 88

1 to 1

APRIL 10, 2025

For B2B companies, the complexity of sales cycles, long-term contracts, and multiple decision-makers makes it imperative to align CX strategy with overall business objectives. Operational efficiency improves CX improvements often streamline processes , reducing customer support costs and inefficiencies across departments.

B2B 26

B2B Strategy Strategy& Strategy 26

Tom Spencer

APRIL 8, 2014

Morieux gives an example of a car manufacturer that threatened to move its production engineers to the after-sales warranty department after a car went into production. This is a curious suggestion since, at first glance, it appears to contradict the prevailing idea that companies should always drive to increase efficiency.

Productivity 98

Productivity Engineering Efficiency Agile 98

Tom Spencer

OCTOBER 8, 2013

For example, one of Apple’s product missions might be to provide consumers with easy-to-use digital technology, and another mission might be to provide fashion accessories for Yuppies and young people. This involves increasing sales to existing customers and finding new customers for existing products. The Four Growth Alternatives.

Productivity 113

Productivity Transportation Development Marketing 113

Johanna Rothman

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

We reinforce a culture of resource efficiency. We reinforce a culture of flow efficiency. Flow efficiency can help create and reinforce a product culture.). For example, managers conduct one-on-ones as individuals with another person. As part of a sales team. Some of a manager’s work is individual.

Efficiency 84

Efficiency Culture Agile Management 84

Harvard Business

JULY 7, 2016

Consider the following examples: In the late 1800s, gasoline-powered vehicles promised to revolutionize transportation, allowing people to travel further, faster and more safely. Now it accounts for more than 50% of sales, with Chobani claiming at least half of that pie. What is more effective than being different?

Productivity 125

Productivity Transportation Case Study Case Studies 125

Harvard Business

MAY 15, 2018

For example, simple shifts in a few behaviors can yield as much as 18-24% more time for collaboration. For example, our research shows that it can take three to five years for a newcomer to replicate the connectivity of a high performer. Help those on the fringe to create “pull” for their work.

Agile 140

Agile How To Efficiency Groups 140

Harvard Business

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

For example, leaders at IBM , Medtronic , and Microsoft have sent their people out to meet customers and see their products in use. Another example comes from Carnival Cruise Line. Early signs have been positive, with increases in sales conversion and first call resolution. What’s the best way to cultivate empathy?

Energy 131

Energy Exercises Groups Meeting 131

Harvard Business

FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Cleaning up data downstream is expensive and not scalable, because data is a byproduct of business processes and operations like marketing, sales, plant operations, and so on. Here’s an example. The practical way to control data quality is to do it at the point where the data is created. Enter the chief data officer, or CDO.

Data 106

Data Company Operations Enterprise 106