This article is brought to you by Yamada Consulting & Spire (Y&S).
As economic headwinds continue to create uncertainty and volatility in the global economy, many companies are looking to establish a higher growth axis, but the missing piece in that growth axis is market research. That's possible, says Japnit Singh, chief operating officer at Yamada Consulting & Company. Spire (Y&S).
As the world adjusts to a gradual decline in inflation and interest rates, and geopolitical tensions reorder global supply chains, many companies are pushing their top and bottom lines to keep up with the top stocks. Our aim is to grow as quickly as possible. Manage markets to maintain return on capital.
global uncertainty
What stands in their way is the fact that, despite encouraging signs of recovery, the outlook for growth remains precarious. Economists at the World Economic Forum expect factors such as geopolitical rifts and suboptimal financial conditions to continue to hamper global economic growth.
The Fed's expected rate cuts may not be as large or as quickly as previously thought. Geopolitical tensions are putting pressure on companies to build new supply chains outside of China.
In search of organic and inorganic growth axes
Against this backdrop, many organizations are going back to basics and looking to grow their businesses through organic growth or mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The alternative would be to see their valuations lag behind major stock indexes backed by big tech companies, leading to lower returns on capital.
To achieve this objective, many companies use acquisitions, new alliances, or greenfield expansion into new markets, brand reengineering, and new product launches to move their growth axes to higher dimensions. We are looking for strategic moves to raise the stake.
Many executives will understand the challenges they face along this path, including implementing AI to reduce costs and enhance innovation, managing cash flow issues, and maintaining company culture as their organization scales. . These are factors that they can control.
One factor that a company cannot control is external changes in the market that it can predict, such as changes in consumer preferences, new business models from competitors, and changes in the regulatory environment. This is where many companies' growth strategies can falter.
This is especially true in the current climate, where the competitive game is changing significantly. AI is forcing companies to transform traditional back-office and R&D functions. The green transition is fueling commodity price fluctuations while expanding the market for new categories such as self-driving EVs. And geopolitical tensions are driving companies to seek new markets and back-office/production locations outside of China.
Market research often misses important points
What companies often lack when looking for a path to growth is market research, which is critical to understanding market trends, customer preferences, and competitor activity.
Practicing a growth pivot inevitably involves risk. Comprehensive market research, including customers, suppliers, value chains, competitors, and regulators, helps companies define growth pivot strategies in a way that addresses future realities rather than past realities.
Market research supports creative ideas, reduces uncertainty, and supports the success of post-merger integration and expansion efforts by providing valuable insights that support growth pivot practices. For example, customer research that predicts market segments and stickiness is essential before taking any major steps that can impact customer loyalty.
Thankfully, businesses don't have to go it alone. Market research consultancies can provide comprehensive and predictive insights. Ultimately, there are many factors to consider when choosing a consultancy to work with.
Comprehensive market research integrated into other strategic work streams
A good consulting firm should be able to strongly integrate market research as well as growth and M&A consulting capabilities to support your company's growth journey.
In 2016, Yamada Consulting Group, one of Japan's leading independent consultants, merged with market research specialist Spire Research and Consulting to form Yamada Consulting & Spire (Y&S). This year, our new brand was announced.
Our aim is to provide clients who are looking to support their growth axis by partnering with an agency that has a strong track record and expertise across multiple disciplines, including growth and M&A consulting backed by market research. It's about providing this kind of holistic synergy.
Combining the DNA of our parent companies, we provide diverse and high-quality consulting services to international companies seeking market growth in the region and local companies in Asia seeking to internationalize their business.
Beyond breadth of expertise, look for real depth of experience in your consultants. This is where we think Y&S stands out from its competitors. We cover nearly every industry and vertical, from agriculture to manufacturing, public sector to services, and offer strong, integrated support across multiple locations.
We have shared our expertise with clients in more than 110 cities in 35 countries, from the Asia-Pacific region to the emerging market regions of the Middle East and Latin America.
For example, we have worked with a Japanese conglomerate seeking to acquire a Vietnamese manufacturing company. A prototype business model that technology companies can try in Indonesia. Advised a food manufacturer on globalization across multiple markets.
The Y&S difference is that we provide each of our more than 2,000 clients with solid, actionable solutions backed by powerful data, rigorous research, intangibles, unexpectedness, and valuable local knowledge of society. , offering award-winning consulting services. There are unexpected forces lurking in the markets they want to grow.
Japnit Singh is the Chief Operating Officer of YAMADA Consulting & Spire. For more information, please visit www.yamada-spire.com.
