Many biotech companies start as an idea for an idea: a business possibility for some scientific idea, often in embryonic stage. Their survival as companies and growth relies on the quality of the science but to a great extent on the team: the inventiveness of the scientists and other founding members, who, in order to … Read more
A recent straw-poll questionnaire highlighted the varying views and general confusion about the role of a Business Development Executive and especially their use to SMEs. This article may help you if you are considering the benefits of a Business Development Executive for your company or if you would like to offer your services in this … Read more
Written by Mike Hoff As a young leader, when I first heard the phrase “Leadership Courage”, it left me feeling a little scared as to what I would have to do to live up to or even begin to possess such a thing. Today I wonder how I would manage without it and enjoy helping … Read more
Managing the cultural gap with Chinese companies who want to do an IPO in London I have been working with Chinese Companies for over 5 years and have been Associated with 3 Chinese companies as Chairman or NED that have listed in London (AIM). With the globalisation of world business, China has become an appealing … Read more
Do you (or will you) have to manage a major company transformation? As interim managers, especially senior managers and directors we are most frequently called in at times of major change – for example a major company transformation. As such, titling ourselves change managers, we are the harbingers of that inevitable part of the modern … Read more
Context How to acquire the company with its own money: XYZ is our main competitor, with similar activity than ours, but complementary and of great marketing interest. Its 2XXX revenue amounts to $110M and its financial result is nil. In 2XXX, XYZ shareholders gave up ownership, as a result of an LMBO (Leverage Management Buy … Read more
You’ve seen it too many times before – the free-spending startup company which burns through their funds like a cocaine addict on vacation in Columbia. It’s ultimately a sad tale, with great potential often wasted, many jobs lost and multiple lives hurt. But it is sometimes hard to feel sorry for the management teams that … Read more
CONTEXT Turnaround: A SMB company acting in ophtalmic lenses had to face a critical situation: An equity fund having invested in this company asked to the owner-president to hire temporary an Executive Interim Manager as CEO to save quickly the situation. It was urgent to negotiate on one hand a timing payment deferral with suppliers, … Read more
Times are generally tough for most businesses. Also, the reasons for the demise of companies was probably weak management, lack of management accountancy information, lack of adequate response to change, over trading i.e. the BIG project and high gearing plus normal business hazards and investors pumping money in without understanding the changing market place. Industry … Read more
How can a MNC manage to sustain growth in China? When I entered my current company, I faced two major problems when I took up the China business. Firstly, at that time we did not have our own facility in China and our business was mainly relied on two major distributors. Unfortunately they were not … Read more