Strategy Consulting

KL tower perspective makes a difference View from the top

Perspective is important. Things often look differently when approaching a tall building or a large mountain than from the top.
Making the right business decisions involves looking at challenges from a variety of perspectives. For example:

Understanding, segmenting and exciting current, potential and lapsed customers.

Knowing and facing off with competitors.

Designing new products, market entry, product positioning, distribution, promotion and pricing.

How to achieve optimal returns, and manage on a local, regional, national and/or global basis.

When and where to process or manufacture, when it makes sense to export and import, and how to find and select the right partners in moving forward.

Market Solutions starts from a solid research base, adds in-depth industry knowledge and analysis to work with clients to produce practical, actionable recommendations.

The Market Solutions Global Alliance provides access to specialized local expertise in markets around the globe.

Selected Assignments

Transportation and distribution costs are one key factor affecting the competitiveness of U.S. products in markets around the world, and in different regions of the U.S. Market Solutions LLC has been retained to analyze the economics of transportation and distribution on a variety of assignments. We have helped agricultural clients to understand the economics of rail, waterborne and truck transportation; examined options via ports on all borders of the U.S. and in Canada, Mexico and other countries. We have helped clients to evaluate transportation and logistics options, examined potential tradeoffs involved in infrastructure investments to permit unit and shuttle train rail shipments, and examined alternatives modal options. Our analysis has also helped clients to understand the potential costs and benefits of regulatory and legislative proposals, and provided guidance on priorities that can help ensure longer term competitiveness in the face of growing international competition.

Food Retailing is changing in the United States and most other parts of the world. Growth of club stores and superstores, mergers and acquisitions, international investment, changing roles of brands and private labels and competition from the internet are only some of the challenges. Market Solutions LLC has worked with food retailers and industry groups to help them understand their customers, track trends in attitudes and expectations from their stores, products and services. We have provided strategic guidance on how best to compete in light of the realities of the market, and individual firms' current strengths and weaknesses.

Away from home dining plays a growing role in consumer food spending. Market Solutions has worked with clients in the U.S. and around the world to help them understand how best to work with different parts of the food service industry including fine dining, hotels and resorts, casual and family dining, bars and theme restaurants, catering and institutional food service. Our staff have also worked with restaurant chains and individual restaurants to better understand customers, and guide menu development, purchasing, promotions, management and operations.

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The entry of China and Taiwan into the World Trade Organization (WTO) is creating many opportunities and challenges for local and international business. Based on in-depth business and consumer research in China's different cities and regions, Market Solutions LLC has provided strategic guidance to clients representing a broad range of products including dairy products, fruits and nuts, beverages, poultry, meat and seafood, fibers and textiles, heath and nutrition supplements, and animal feed ingredients.

Many companies and industries are wondering what to do about their strategy in individual Asian markets. Years of recession in Japan, a spotty rebound in many parts of the region after 9/11, SARS, Avian Influenza and managed exchange rates have all contributed to uncertainties and shifts in the products that consumers purchase. They say that good things come to those who wait, but how long, and for what? Market Solutions LLC has worked with clients on consumer and business research based strategy assignments across Asia - helping clients consider what to do about apparently mature markets in Japan, Taiwan and Korea for some products, exploring new opportunities and competition in markets across Southeast Asia - from the Philippines and Indonesia, to Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.

With India slated to surpass China as the world's most populous nation, and reforms making the market accessible for some imported products and more attractive for investment and contributing to rapid growth of modern retailing, how best to serve the current market, and build for the future? Market Solutions LLC has worked with clients to understand developments and opportunities in the food industry, in local agriculture, and in textiles and apparel. We have also worked with clients to understand and address a variety of trade and regulatory barriers limiting sales to India.

Markets and Competition in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean are changing. Economic recovery and political stability varies substantially across the region. Market access barriers are also changing. While NAFTA has eliminated duties on many products for U.S. exporters, new challenges have arisen in some cases. CAFTA-DR promises new opportunities and challenges. Other regional trade negotiations offer promise, but also the threat of competition. Market Solutions has worked with clients in the U.S. and across the region to understand consumer and business markets, trade barriers, distribution channels, and to help them develop marketing and promotion strategies, identify partners and build alliances to prepare for a profitable and less risky future.

How best to use government resources for maximum impact, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperator and Market Access Programs (MAP), as well as government credit guarantees and support for feasibility studies? Market Solutions LLC has conducted numerous market entry and market development strategy assignments, working with clients in a single country or market segment, and on worldwide projects. Feel free to ask us for more details that can help you think about your project!

For more information you can e-mail us at info@marketsrus.com

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