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From its inception, the firm has practiced a consulting
service we describe as Quiet Counsel. We
find that we are not so much working for corporations as we are
advising its leaders, and our experience has been that this is
often most effective when done quietly, principally in private
discussion with Chief Executives. In this mode we are able to
provide frank, objective advise and a sounding board and inspiration
for dynamic thinking. Many of these assignments are with clients
and colleagues of long-standing, who believe the range of our
experience and the no-nonsense assessments and innovative solutions we offer
stand in sharp relief to the over-complicated and
under-ambitious proposals they see. When framed in the context
of our holistic View from 80,000 feet, clients find they
are better prepared to make dynamic, impactful decisions.
Marketing Communications Programs:
Over the last decade-plus, Marketing Pathfinding
and its predecessor company, Public Sector Solutions, have developed
more than seventy-five marketing communications programs for a
wide range of corporations, retailers, not-for-profit and non-governmental
institutions and cultural and social change organizations. Short
descriptions of some of these programs and examples of the work
can be viewed under Marketing Communications Histories on this website.
These programs range from basic advertising campaigns in print,
broadcast, direct marketing and digital media to full-blown programs
encompassing strategic planning, new product development, research,
media planning, creative development and execution and tactical
and strategic alliances and complete graphic identity programs.
The firm continues to provide these services to its consulting
clients as part of its overall practice, and will on occasion
produce a marketing communications program as a freestanding assignment.
BrandAid:
For over 35 years the firm's Chief Executive, Charlie Rosner,
has been a somewhat controversial commentator regarding branding theory
and practice, via articles in trade publications and as a frequent seminar leader at
corporations and at marketing seminars worldwide. The firm continues
to produce branding programs for select clients when it is clear
there is a contribution that other firms may not be able to provide.
This brand consulting practice is primarily focused on brand
rejuvenation, branding turnarounds and branding-related workouts
and strategic planning. In a number of instances the firm has
been able to make significant contributions in the revitalization
or restructuring of a brand by providing no-nonsense advice and
quiet counsel to Chief Executives dealing with brands in jeopardy
or facing a crisis.
Change Management:
Either through hands-on programs, or in
conjunction with specialist firms, Marketing Pathfinding helps
Chief Executives and senior managers identify, quantify and implement
change programs which are geared to quick-wins and dramatic staff
buy-in. We sometimes employ GE-syle Workout sessions, or when
a large program is needed we team up with the consulting firm
which focuses exclusively on change management, Robert H. Schaeffer
and Associates, the firm Jack Welch worked with in developing
the Workout concept. We then help the Chief Executive structure
a best-use program with them.
Counterintuitive New Product Development and Speed To Market
Executions:
We assert the notion that executives in a corporation "aren't
creative" is absolute rubbish and we have shown time and
time again that ideas aplenty can be developed and implemented
within any organization, and in a hurry. Through the use of one
day Workout-style workshops, and by designing programs and helping to lead
teams combing internal staff and external category experts we
have helped organizations develop and rapidly bring to market
new ideas, innovative distribution systems and overlooked new
revenue streams.
Tactical and Strategic Alliances:
The firm's Chief Executive has developed
a broad range of friends, colleagues and talent sources, and takes
particular delight in making counterintuitive introductions. Over
the years these introductions have produced material innovations
and exciting new business opportunities for our clients.
Over-Due Diligence:
A tongue-in-cheek expression, admittedly, this is a service wherein
we are called in to provide investor organizations with a fresh,
inventive, objective and often startling new perspective on investments
they've made which have hit a wall of some sort.
This practice was originally instituted at the behest of the
GE Capital Equity Capital Group, but in recent years has also
been done for a number of corporate venture groups, private equity
firms and venture capital groups. To date we have looked at over two dozen
companies.
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