Consumer Channel Consulting B2B Channel Consulting
Consumer Channel Consulting
Meeting your needs A major part of consulting projects is the development of a strategy that meets the needs of the individual client. Effective strategies are dependent upon the recognition of speed to market, and market-competitive programs and pricing. Whether you want to increase market share, enhance margin, or access new markets, our team works in conjunction with you to create, and implement, executable strategies that achieve measurable results.
- Our core competencies, combined with our experience and knowledge, strengthen your team to help you reach your goals. The following is a sampling of the many strategic elements we bring to the table:
Channel strategy - Our team works with clients on each of the following strategic elements: branding, product positioning, pricing, marketing, sales, finance and account level. A major part of the consulting project is the development of a strategy that will work as additional products and customers are rolled out.
Market Sizing - We work with clients to discover main competitors, market share
Channel programs - We work with clients to develop a successful channel program. In addition to identifying potential prospective partners and facilitating introductions, we are able to help clients with benchmark terms and conditions, program elements, pricing, returns, budgets, inventory, and merchandising for targeted accounts.
Channel promotions - We work with clients to develop channel promotions customized per targeted key accounts. In addition to scheduling and planning, we will work with third-party tie-ins and redemption management.
Channel budgets - Our team develops both a financial and a marketing budget. The financial model incorporates the program and soft dollar costs, and factors in the costs of merchandising, marketing, promotions, returns, distribution, sales coverage and operations. We also prepare a marketing budget which recommends spending levels by account, by quarter, and the best vehicle for the products with the targeted accounts.
Product strategy - Levin Consulting work with clients on product evaluation and strategy including competitive overview, packaging evaluation, pricing, and more. We are able to help clients with areas of product development support including voice-of-the-customer process and product life-cycle management. Retail specific evaluation and tracking in terms of merchandising, advertising, POP, and store shopping.
Product launch - A major part of our work is assisting clients with product launches. We handle all the elements, ranging from meeting the needs of the retailer, to resolving store level issues, creating a plan to motivate salespeople, to persuading the end-user to purchase the product. Our team works with clients' sales, marketing, merchandising, operations and finance teams to develop and implement plans covering the steps necessary for launch, ongoing placement and sales.
Account strategy - We recommend a set of targeted accounts, emphasing key accounts which set the tone for the rest of the market. We suggest a sales plan of action, budget, forecast, performance tracking, as well as identifying critical issues and risks for the client.
Partnerships, OEM and Licensing - Levin Consulting works with clients on developing and selling content to round out product lines, and jettisoning unrelated and/or unprofitable products. We assist in the purchase and/or sales of OEM products, and work with clients on potential licensing of products. Levin Consulting often chooses product(s), negotiates prices, and ensures the fit with ongoing programs.
- B2B Channel Consulting
We address the unique needs of companies just entering or increasing their presence in the business-to-business arena.Our unique perspective is drawn from work within and for the reseller, end-user, distributor, and manufacturing communities.
Channel Selection and Strategy - We examine the specific product draw up a specific recommendation of the channels to pursue in the short term as well as throughout the product's life cycle.
Reseller Program Design - Levin Consulting develops competitive reseller programs which encompass pricing, soft dollars, channel margins, terms and conditions, and reseller support in the areas of sales, marketing, and technical implementation.
Competitive Analysis - Our consultants analyze the standard terms and conditions, pricing, soft dollar programs, and sales strategies for competing types of products.
Recruitment Strategy - Working closely with our clients, we develop the critical success factors that potential resellers need to have to be effective channel partners.
Lead Management - We help clients develop tools for collecting, qualifying, distributing and tracking customer leads.
Organizational Strategy - An organizational strategy outlines the sales, marketing, and management teams necessary to develop and implement the overall reseller program.
Targeted Accounts - Levin Consulting recommends a set of target accounts, emphasizing key accounts which set the tone for the rest of the market, based on immediate volume, return on investment, and direct correlation to the product line.
Reseller Communication - Resellers have a wealth of knowledge about product, customers and market conditions as well as the barriers to increased sales and customer satisfaction. We help clients develop and enhance reseller communication utilizing the sales reps, technical support reps, regular newsletters and conference calls, conferences and trade shows.
Budgets and Planning - Our team develops financial models as well as marketing budgets as needed for clients. These budgets are done for both the entry and initial market expansion phases.
Channel Transition - Our consultants help vendors position products to quickly ramp up sales through a direct channel model, and then later assist in a transition to a reseller and distributor model.
Core competencies - We stand ready to make an immediate impact on your business by the real-world channel experience we add to your team. The following is a sampling of the many strategic elements we bring to the table.