Engagement Style

Engagement Style

FIRST, everything we do with our Clients is 100% custom-built: There is no such thing as a “set” Engagement.  That is a VERY important differentiator because what it means for you is that we do not deliver the Benefits in the classic “linear academic format” of:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10

Rather, using the Andover Partners Methodology (or APM for short), we engage using the Outcome based format of:

10 = ?

So, using two empirical (defined as guided by practical experience and not theory) examples –

For Client “A” the Deliverables might be 10 = 6 + 4

For Client “B” the Deliverables might be 10 = 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 7 – 2

APM Engagements are designed to meet the your specific needs and challenges and this means that the Benefits Delivery to you is unique and tailored to your individual circumstances (i.e., 10 = ?), rather than being a one-size-fits-all approach (i.e., 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10).

SECOND, we offer greater flexibility because APM Engagements can adapt strategies and tactics in real-time to meet changing market conditions and respond quickly to emerging trends.

THIRD, using our proprietary Information Gathering process, you identify for us in granular detail the following:

The Outcome (or Outcomes) you are seeking;

How you will measure the success of the Outcome(s);

How you want the Benefits Delivery to “feel” at a personal level.

The result is that we have a MUCH higher level of understanding, alignment and interactivity of purpose with you because there is direct collaboration and real-time conversations, which allows for a more thorough understanding of your business, goals, and challenges, which in turn can lead to significantly more effective solutions.

FOURTH, every Engagement is unique (because every Client’s needs are different).  However, all Engagements have a certain “flavor” (or “flavour if you are from the UK) and this includes the following:

  • Everything we do is completely confidential. For example: when working with a specific Client firm’s principal leadership and their teams there are no “reports” or “back channel” conversations with anybody at the Client firm.  We are not spies.  As a result, over time, Clients feel that they can share their most important confidences with us, which results in our being able to provide much more meaningful and personalized benefits to them (and their firms).
  • We do not tell our Clients how to do their job. The “Role” we seek to earn with every Client is one of Operational Catalyst, or (if you prefer), some form of Trusted Advisor.  The former is a very specific term and refers to our Operational, bottom line results focused approach.  We use the term “catalyst” in the chemical sense to refer to the fact that we improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our Client’s business, but we are not affected, or effected by the politics, processes or any other internal issue.  We just seek to help our Clients achieve their business    Period.
  • We always try to build (what we call) LTCPs- Long Term Consultative Partnerships- with our Clients, if possible.  Why?  Because we are in the business of telling our Clients “The Truth” as we see it: This can sometimes lead to stressful Engagements, however, it is one of our hallmarks.

FIFTH, we offer over time significant Competitive Advantages because by working with us in our custom-built methodology, you can gain immediate traction on specific ways to differentiate your business from your competitors.  Additionally, while APM Engagements may require more time and resources to develop, they can ultimately be more cost-effective in the long run because the Benefits and Outcomes are specifically tailored to your needs, which can lead to greater efficiency, effectiveness and more robust bottom line results.

FINALLY, it is also important to note that we do not have an “ideological keyhole” we drag you thru regardless of circumstances or needs because we believe one cannot “force the fit.”  We have worked in multiple cultures all over the world and in numerous different business sectors.  The Andover Partners’ Methodology is geared to global business.