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Service objectives


The following list represents the Key Service Objectives (KSO) for the Appleton Greene Team Development service.

Needs Assessment

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The first step in any team development program is a thorough assessment of the needs of any given team in order to determine whether a team development intervention is the proper service. An in-depth discussion with key stakeholders takes place garnering facts, history, an understanding of objectives, current state and desired state of the situation and outcome goals. If it is determined that a team development process will help the situation, we move on to the next step of data collection. If it is determined that this is not the case, we consult with the client to discuss possible other options and alternatives. Questions might include: describe the situation as you see it today, in your opinion, what are the major factors influencing the situation, what would you like to see different, how has the team achieved or not achieved results, what are your two to three most important outcome goals, what would success look like, what keeps you up at night when you think about this situation? This discussion may take place with one or more individuals.


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Data Collection

 Assuming that it has been determined that a team intervention is part of an appropriate solution for the situation, further data is collected by conducting interviews of all or a subsection of team members. It is critical to gather different perspectives and frequently the responses vary greatly in the description of the team’s performance, relationships and productivity. We set the stage for a confidential, productive discussion by establishing rapport, describing our service, eliciting information about the person being interviewed, and answering any questions they have before we begin. The same set of questions is asked of each team member and the results are presented anonymously when the team development sessions take place. Questions that may be asked are the following: What is going well with the team? What are the team’s Strengths? What is not going as well with the team? What are the team’s Developmental Areas? What has been the impact of having a new leader/new team member on the team? What are the Barriers and Obstacles that prevent the team from doing the kind of work it should be doing? What is the team not doing that it should be doing? (Where are you missing out on an opportunity to have an impact?) What is the team doing that it should not be doing? (What are you doing that is unnecessary?) What can you accomplish as the XYZ Leadership Team? How would you describe the communication and effectiveness between team members, other involved parties and with the larger organization? How would you describe the level of trust between team members? What suggestions do you have for how the team can function more effectively? What would you like to see team leader do differently? The interviews close with an open ended questions to determine if there is anything else the person would like to share with us in a confidential manner.


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Analysis & Goals

 Key points from the interviews are transcribed, summarized and presented to the major stakeholders in the team development process in order to determine the focus for the sessions. Each question is carefully analyzed and reported back. A discussion is held about each question and the implications of the responses. This discussion is usually enlightening for the team leader and other key team members and sheds light on the performance of the team. An in-depth discussion then takes place to determine what tools, exercise, discussions and other interventions will be most appropriate based upon the situation, interview results and outcome goals. We agree on two to three outcome goals as focus is critical in these events. Some outcome goals could be: establishing a common purpose or vision for the team, improving communication and trust between team members, ensuring clear roles exist between team members, establishing agreements for how to resolve conflict in the team, identifying the stage of development the team is in and how to get to the next level, ensuring mutual accountability exists on the team, and improving problem solving and decision making. Based upon the outcome goals selected, we determine the topics to be covered and a preliminary agenda to assess the amount of time to devote to the first session. Typically, a day and a half to two days is the time allotted to kick off the team development process for any given team. Six month follow up sessions then occur to test for progress, make any adjustments and cover additional topics or issues.


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Program Design

 Now that the data has been collected, analyzed and discussed and it has been determined that a team development session(s) should be developed and the outcome goals and timing have been set, process/program design begins. Working with our client(s), we discuss the pros and cons of various exercises to address the outcome goals. Every company culture is different and some exercises may work well in some environments and not in others, e.g., physical, experiential challenges. The definition we use for Real Team, taken from the Wisdom of Teams, is “A number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.” In all sessions, we discuss this definition and evaluate where the team is in terms of its development. Are they a Real Team, a Potential Team, a Pseudo Team, or a High Performing Team and what do they need to do to get to the next level or maintain their performance. We work hard to tailor our programs so that they will best meet the needs of the individuals, cultures and achieve the desired outcome goals. Very often, a personality assessment will be recommended and again, which type varies with our different clients. Two that are used frequently are the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Inventory) and DISC. In our experience, the two instruments are similar, yet different. What they both provide is the ability for team members to understand themselves better as well as their fellow teammates and flex their style to better communicate and work with others. Other instruments that can be used are the FIRO-B, or Thomas Kilman Conflict Instrument. A typical design phase consists of thinking through different exercises, instrumentation and discussions to achieve the agreed upon outcome goals. This could include how to integrate a new leader or new team members, clarifying expectations and making agreements for how the team will operate, solving a simulated disaster, understanding different personality styles and/or different conflict styles and how to hold each other mutually accountable for the success of the team.


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Implementation & Facilitation

 A typical start to a team development process is a 1.5-2.0 day session with all team members present. It is recommended that this session take place off-site in order to minimize distractions from the work place. There are a number of kick-off issues that are covered including objectives, ground rules for the session, belief cycle, roles of facilitator and team members, expectations from team members and an introduction from the team leader describing the process and agenda. The sessions are always highly participative and get team members involved in discussions and exercises early on. The results of the interviews that each person participated in are shared and robust discussions begin. Typically there are issues/challenges/opportunities that arise from these discussions and they are noted on a Parking Lot list. After going through the planned exercises (and often there may be unplanned exercises or discussions), additional issues arise that need action. At the end of the session we form Accountability Teams to address those issues. The topic of Accountability is covered and initial plans put in place for the Accountability teams to take their issue forward. Team members can choose the topic(s) for which they have the most interest to help ensure the topic will be addressed. Follow up meetings are held on a regular basis with or without the help of the facilitator. At a minimum, however at the 6 month point when the team comes together again, the progress of these teams is presented and any hurdles or obstacles discussed and solved for. The value and timing of ongoing face to face or telephonic sessions is discussed and negotiated at this point. Frequently, we are asked to do annual follow up sessions with teams with whom we work as so much can change in a year, e.g., team members, team leaders and goals for the team.

This service is primarily available to the following industry sectors:

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Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry develops, produces, and markets drugs or pharmaceuticals licensed for use as medications. Pharmaceutical companies are allowed to deal in generic or brand medications and medical devices. Most recently, the industry has become increasingly competitive both from a product and access standpoint. They are subject to a variety of laws and regulations regarding the patenting, testing and ensuring safety and efficacy and marketing of drugs. Drug companies are like other companies in that they manufacture products that must be sold for a profit in order for the company to survive and grow. They are different from some companies because the drug business is very risky. For instance, only one out of every ten thousand discovered compounds actually becomes an approved drug for sale. Much expense is incurred in the early phases of development of compounds that will not become approved drugs. In addition, it takes about 7 to 10 years and only 3 out of every 20 approved drugs bring in sufficient revenue to cover their developmental costs, and only 1 out of every 3 approved drugs generates enough money to cover the development costs of previous failures. This means that for a drug company to survive, it needs to discover a blockbuster (billion-dollar drug) every few years. Industry-wide research and investment has reached a record $65.3 billion. While the cost of research in the U.S. is about $34.2 billion, revenues rose by $200.4 billion. A study by the consulting firm Bain & Company reported that the cost for discovering, developing and launching (which factored in marketing and other business expenses) a new drug (along with the prospective drugs that fail) rose over the last five years to nearly $1.7 billion. According to Forbes, development costs are between $4 billion to $11 billion per drug. The United States accounts for more than a third of the global pharmaceutical market, with $340 billion in annual sales followed by the EU and Japan. Emerging markets such as China, Russia, South Korea and Mexico outpaced that market, growing at a huge 81 percent. According to IMS the global pharmaceutical industry is estimated at US$1.1 trillion.


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Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products, or any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use. For thousands of years, humankind has used biotechnology in agriculture, food production, and medicine. Biotechnology has applications in four major industrial areas, including health care (medical), crop production and agriculture, non-food (industrial) uses of crops and other products (e.g. biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil, biofuels), and environmental uses. The biotechnology market consists of the development, manufacturing, and marketing of products based on advanced biotechnology research. The practice of biotechnology has been used by humans for centuries, however it wasn’t until 1996 that the first biologics (the products of biotechnology) were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and over 120 biologics have been approved since then. Biotech companies are integrating the sciences and bringing new perspectives from various fields such as chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics to tackle biomedical questions. Success in developing a new biotechnology product requires years of work and successful interaction among chemists, biologists, crystallographers, molecular modeling specialists, and other scientists to develop effective solutions to today’s complex problems. The global biotechnology market has total revenues of $304.0bn, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The medical/healthcare segment is the market’s most lucrative, with total revenues of $182.5bn, equivalent to 60.0% of the market’s overall value. The performance of the market is forecast to decelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 9%, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $468.2bn.


Chemicals

The chemical industry creates an immense variety of products which impinge on virtually every aspect of our lives. While many of the products from the industry, such as detergents, soaps and perfumes, are purchased directly by the consumer, 70% of chemicals manufactured are used to make products by other industries including other branches of the chemical industry itself. The industry uses a wide range of raw materials, from air and minerals to oil. With increasing competition worldwide, innovation remains crucial in finding new ways for the industry to satisfy its increasingly sophisticated, demanding and environmentally-conscious consumers. The industry comprises the companies that produce industrial chemicals. Central to the modern world economy, it converts raw materials (oil, natural gas, air, water, metals, and minerals) into more than 70,000 different products. In the U.S. there are 170 major chemical companies. They operate internationally with more than 2,800 facilities outside the U.S. and 1,700 foreign subsidiaries or affiliates operating. The U.S. chemical output is $750 billion a year. The U.S. industry records large trade surpluses and employs more than a million people in the United States alone. The chemical industry is also the second largest consumer of energy in manufacturing and spends over $5 billion annually on pollution abatement. In Europe the chemical, plastics and rubber sectors are among the largest industrial sectors. Together they generate about 3.2 million jobs in more than 60,000 companies. Historically and presently the chemical industry has been concentrated in three areas of the world, Western Europe, North America and Japan. The European Community remains the largest producer area followed by the USA and Japan.


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Manufacturing

Manufacturing is the production of merchandise for use or sale using labor and machines, tools, chemical and biological processing, or formulation. In a free market economy, manufacturing is usually directed toward the mass production of products for sale to consumers at a profit. In a collectivist economy, manufacturing is more frequently directed by the state to supply a centrally planned economy. In mixed market economies, manufacturing occurs under some degree of government regulation. Modern manufacturing includes all intermediate processes required for the production and integration of a product’s components. Some industries, such as semiconductor and steel manufacturers use the term fabrication instead. The manufacturing sector is closely connected with engineering and industrial design. According to some economists, manufacturing is a wealth-producing sector of an economy, whereas a service sector tends to be wealth-consuming. Emerging technologies have provided some new growth in advanced manufacturing employment opportunities in the Manufacturing Belt in the United States. Manufacturing provides important material support for national infrastructure and for national defense. On the other hand, most manufacturing may involve significant social and environmental costs. The clean-up costs of hazardous waste, for example, may outweigh the benefits of a product that creates it. Hazardous materials may expose workers to health risks. These costs are now well known and there is effort to address them by improving efficiency, reducing waste, using industrial symbiosis, and eliminating harmful chemicals. The increased use of technologies such as 3D printing also offer the potential to reduce the environmental impact of producing finished goods through distributed manufacturing.


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Healthcare

The health care industry, or medical industry, is an aggregation of sectors within the economic system that provides goods and services to treat patients with curative, preventive, rehabilitative, and palliative care and is one of the fastest growing fields in the world today. The modern health care industry is divided into many sectors and depends on interdisciplinary teams of trained professionals and paraprofessionals to meet health needs of individuals and populations. Consuming over 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) of most developed nations, health care can form an enormous part of a country’s economy. For purpose of finance and management, the health care industry is typically divided into several areas. As a basic framework for defining the sector, the United Nations International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) categorizes the health care industry as generally consisting of: hospital activities; medical and dental practice activities; “other human health activities”. The Global Industry Classification Standard and the Industry Classification Benchmark further distinguish the industry as two main groups: health care equipment and services; and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and related life sciences. Health care equipment and services comprise companies and entities that provide medical equipment, medical supplies, and health care services, such as hospitals, home health care providers, and nursing homes. The second industry group comprises sectors companies that produce biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and miscellaneous scientific services. The global medical device industry has experienced significant growth over the last five years and is expected to continue, reaching approximately US $302 billion with a CAGR of 6.1% during the next five years. The medical device industry is comprised of surgical, cardiovascular, home healthcare, general medical and other devices. The industry is highly fragmented, and North America dominates with 46% of the global market. High competitive rivalry prevails with low to moderate barrier for entry into the industry. The aging population and growing demand for convenient and cost-effectiveness products are expected to drive the global home healthcare device industry, and the home healthcare device market is expected to reach an estimated US $29 billion with a CAGR of 3.4% over the next five years. A combination of factors such as technological innovations, aging population, rising patient pool, and changing lifestyle is seen to impact the market dynamics significantly.

Bronze Service

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Monthly cost: USD $1,500.00
Time limit: 5 hours per month
Contract period: 12 months

Bronze service includes:

01. Email support
02. Telephone support
03. Questions & answers
04. Professional advice
05. Communication management

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SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The Bronze Client Service (BCS) for Team Development provides clients with an entry level option and enables client contacts to become personally acquainted with Ms. Matteson over a sustainable period of time. We suggest that clients allocate up to a maximum of 5 Key Employees for this service. Your Key Employees can then contact the consultant via email, whenever they feel that they need specific advice or support in relation to the consultant’s specialist subject. The consultant will also be proactive about opening and maintaining communications with your Key Employees. Your Key Employees can list and number any questions that they would like to ask and they will then receive specific answers to each and every query that they may have. Your Key Employees can then retain these communications on file for future reference. General support inquiries will usually receive replies within 48 hours, but please allow a period of up to 10 business days during busy periods. The Bronze Client Service (BCS) enables your Key Employees to get to know their designated Appleton Greene consultant and to benefit from the consultant’s specialist skills, knowledge and experience.



Silver Service

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Monthly cost: USD $3,000.00
Time limit: 10 hours per month
Contract period: 12 months

Bronze service plus

01. Research analysis
02. Management analysis
03. Performance analysis
04. Business process analysis
05. Training analysis

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SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The Silver Client Service (SCS) for Team Development provides more time for research and development. If you require Ms. Matteson to undertake research on your behalf, or on behalf of your Key Employees, then this would understandably require more time and the Silver Client Service (SCS) accommodates this. For example, you may want your consultant to undertake some research into your management, performance, business, or training processes, with a view towards providing an independent analysis and recommendations for improvement. If any research and development, or business analysis is required, then the Silver Client Service (SCS) is for you.

Gold Service

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Monthly cost: USD $4,500.00
Time limit: 15 hours per month
Contract period: 12 months

Bronze/Silver service plus

01. Management interviews
02. Evaluation and assessment
03. Performance improvement
04. Business process improvement
05. Management training

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SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The Gold Client Service (GCS) for Team Development is intended for more detailed evaluation and assessment, that may require your Key Employees to have monthly meetings or interviews with Ms. Matteson. These meetings and interviews can be conducted over the telephone, Skype, or by video conference if required. The consultant can also attend your business premises, an Appleton Greene office, or another mutually beneficial location, but please note that clients are responsible for the costs of any disbursements separately, including travel and accommodation. This service enables you to integrate the specific skills, knowledge and experience of your designated consultant into your Key Employee management team. The Gold Client Service (GCS) can also incorporate training workshops, business presentations and external meetings with customers, suppliers, associations, or any other business-related stakeholders.

Platinum Service

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Monthly cost: USD $6,000.00
Time limit: 20 hours per month
Contract period: 12 months

Bronze/Silver/Gold service plus

01. Project planning
02. Project development
03. Project implementation
04. Project management
05. Project review

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SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The Platinum Client Service (PCS) for Team Development is our flagship service and will be required if you need Ms. Matteson to facilitate the planning, development, implementation, management, or review of a particular project relating to his specialist subject, which would obviously require more time and dedication. This service enables you to reserve up to 12.5% of the consultant’s working month and provides a more hands-on service as and when required. If you need more time than this, then this can always be arranged, subject of course to the consultant’s ongoing availability. The benefit of having an external consultant involved in projects is they provide an independent perspective and are not influenced by internal politics, day-to-day responsibilities, or personal career interest. They provide objectivity, specific knowledge, skills and experience and will be entirely focused upon the tasks at hand. The Platinum Client Service (PCS) will provide your organization with a valuable resource as and when you need it.

Benefits

Management
  1. Vision & mission
  2. Shaping culture
  3. Performance optimization
  4. Global alignment
  5. Recource alignment
  6. Talent assessment
  7. Department integration
  8. Process improvement
  9. Business sustainability
  10. Business growth
Human Resources
  1. Team effectiveness
  2. Accountable employees
  3. Learning & development
  4. Engaged employees
  5. Focused attention
  6. Strong morale
  7. Employee commitment
  8. Knowledge sharing
  9. Constructive feedback
  10. Improved performance
Production
  1. Streamlined operation
  2. Effective teams
  3. Increased output
  4. Reduced cost
  5. Improved efficiency
  6. Collaborative employees
  7. Department alignment
  8. Simplified process
  9. Improved product
  10. Greater reliability

Clients

This service’s current clients or employers include:

Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a differentiated company, led by its unique BioPharma strategy that leverages the reach and resources of a major pharma company paired with the entrepreneurial spirit and agility of a biotech firm. They work every day to deliver innovative medicines for patients with serious and life-threatening diseases. They strive to make innovative, effective medicines available to the patients who need them, and to treat their customers and employees with dignity and respect. To meet their mission of helping patients to prevail over serious diseases, they are committed to developing a 21st century workforce that is powerfully diverse and broadly inclusive, capable of discovering and developing important new medicines for patients around the world. They view diversity in the broadest sense – including age, ethnicity, race, culture, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, abilities and disabilities, religion, socioeconomic background, veteran status, thinking styles, and life experiences, among other differences. Through a culture of inclusion, they create an agile and responsive work environment where the diverse experiences and perspectives of all employees help to drive their innovation and transformative business results. They have been a client of Ms Matteson’s for five years now. Her work there has been in the team development and executive coaching space. Each day, their employees around the world work together for patients – it drives everything they do. They are focused on helping millions of patients around the world in disease areas such as oncology, cardiovascular, immunoscience and fibrosis. Through their R&D organization, they have built a sustainable pipeline of potential therapies, and actively partner to access external innovation to broaden and accelerate our work. As global citizens, they work sustainably, responsibly and seek to give back. Through the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, they promote health equity and strive to improve health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected by serious diseases and conditions, giving new hope to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Bristol-Myers Squibb – Click Here


Zeiss Group
Zeiss Group

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise of the optical and optoelectronic industry. The ZEISS Group develops and distributes semiconductor manufacturing equipment, measuring technology, microscopes, medical technology, eyeglass lenses, camera and cine lenses, binoculars and planetarium technology. With its solutions, the company constantly advances the world of optics and helps shape technological progress. The Group emerged from a workshop for precision mechanics and optics established by company founder Carl Zeiss in Jena (Thuringia) in 1846. Today, ZEISS is headquartered in Oberkochen (Baden-Württemberg). The broad portfolio of the ZEISS Group encompasses six business groups and various strategic business units in four segments. The units develop, produce and distribute optical systems such as lithography systems, industrial measuring technology, microscopes, surgical microscopes, ophthalmic diagnostic and therapy systems, eyeglass lenses, planetarium technology, cine and camera lenses, as well as binoculars, riflescopes and spotting scopes. Carl Zeiss AG manages the Group in its role as a strategic holding company. Its primary function is the ongoing strategic development of the business activities and of the corporate portfolio. It also provides the corporate management and service functions. Carl Zeiss Inc. and many of its businesses in the United States have been a client of Ms. Matteson for over twenty years (one of her first and continuing clients). She has worked tirelessly with them to build teams in most of their businesses, shape corporate culture, design and conduct Leadership Development and Performance Management programs and provide 360 feedback and executive coaching. She is well known and highly trusted within the Zeiss US community and is welcomed at every Zeiss location.

Zeiss Group – Click Here


Celgene
Celgene

Celgene Corporation is a global integrated biopharmaceutical company primarily engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapies designed to treat cancer and immune-inflammatory related diseases in patients with limited treatment options. There are hundreds of clinical trials at major medical centers evaluating compounds from Celgene. Investigational compounds are being studied for patients with incurable haematological and solid tumor cancers, including multiple myeloma (MM), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), pancreatic cancer, non-small lung cancer and melanoma. In addition, several compounds are being evaluated as therapies for serious inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. At Celgene, they seek to deliver truly innovative and life-changing drugs for patients. Their vision as a company is to build a major global biopharmaceutical corporation while focusing on the discovery, the development, and the commercialization of products for the treatment of cancer and other severe, immune, inflammatory conditions. What is it that defines Celgene? Is it their unique products and innovative approach to treating disease? Is it their cutting-edge research addressing a broad range of conditions? Their growing reputation as an important contributor to medical progress? Their commitment to healthcare providers and compassion for their patients? While each of these factors contributes in significant ways to what Celgene is, they represent only part of the story. Most fundamentally, Celgene is its employees, who are focused on the single mission of delivering innovative therapies to patients with unmet medical needs in cancer and inflammatory diseases. They are a varied group of talented people, including Ph.D. bench scientists, sales representatives, manufacturing engineers, information technology professionals, clinical research physicians, lab technicians, marketing professionals, regulatory experts, accounting and finance personnel, clinical coordinators, senior executives, human resource managers, nurses and pharmacists. As different as each of these positions and the individuals who hold them are, they are united in their commitment to discover, develop and market life-enhancing drugs that make a measurable difference in the lives of millions of people. Ms Matteson has been engaged with Celgene for 3 years working with multiple teams in the Information Technology and Market Access space.

Celgene – Click Here


Daiichi Sankyo
Daiichi Sankyo

As the U.S. subsidiary of a global pharmaceutical innovator, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. draws on a rich heritage of innovation, integrity and accountability. While the success of their medicines speaks for itself, their corporate mission defines their vision and purpose: To enrich quality of life around the world through the development of innovative pharmaceuticals. How do they bring this corporate mission to life? By bringing together medical and scientific expertise, a collaborative and ethical culture, and a robust pipeline. At Daiichi Sankyo, innovation is more than a corporate motto. It’s a philosophy they put into practice each and every day. Established in 2006 by the merger of two 100-year-old Japanese pharmaceutical companies, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. inherited a rich legacy of innovation and scientific expertise across therapeutic categories. Today, they are just as dedicated to improving quality of life for the patients who need medicines as their founders were a century ago. Their scientific expertise, robust pipeline and collaborative and ethical culture make a world of difference in the lives of patients and employees, and in the communities where they live and work. Ms. Matteson has worked with Daiichi Sankyo in the United States for more than five years. Most of her work has been within the Clinical Development Operations space where she has conducted team facilitation and executive coaching at the senior level.

Daiichi Sankyo – Click Here

Locations

This service is primarily available within the following locations:

Princeton NJ
Princeton NJ

Princeton is a municipality with a borough form of government in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States, that was established in its current form on January 1, 2013, through the consolidation of the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township. As of the 2010 United States Census, the municipality’s population was 28,572, reflecting the former township’s population of 16,265, along with the 12,307 in the former borough. Princeton was founded before the American Revolution and is best known as the location of Princeton University, located in the community since 1756. Although its association with the university is primarily what makes Princeton a college town, other important institutions in the area include the Institute for Advanced Study, Westminster Choir College, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton Theological Seminary, Opinion Research Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Siemens Corporate Research, SRI International, FMC Corporation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Amrep, Church and Dwight, Berlitz International, and Dow Jones & Company. Princeton University is a dominant feature of the community. Its main campus has its historic center on Nassau Street in the borough and stretches south into the township. Its James Forrestal satellite campus is located in Plainsboro Township, and some playing fields lie within adjacent West Windsor Township. The Princeton campus is known for having Albert Einstein lecture as well as being one of the original seven Ivy League schools. Westminster Choir College, the renowned school of music presently owned by Rider University, established in Princeton in 1932. The Institute for Advanced Study is in the borough and maintains extensive land holdings (the “Institute Woods”) there. Bristol-Myers Squibb is a client of Ms. Matteson’s.


Philadelphia PA
Philadelphia PA

Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the fifth-most populous city in the United States, with an estimated population of more than 1.5 million and more than 6 million in the seventh-largest metropolitan statistical area, as of 2015. Philadelphia is the economic and cultural anchor of the Delaware Valley—a region located in the North eastern United States at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers with 7.2 million people residing in the eighth-largest combined statistical area in the United States. Philadelphia is the center of economic activity in Pennsylvania with the headquarters of seven Fortune 1000 companies located within city limits. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Philadelphia area had a total gross metropolitan product of $347 billion in 2010, the seventh-largest metropolitan economy in the United States Philadelphia was rated by the GaWC5 as an ‘Alpha- City’ in its categorization of world cities. Philadelphia’s economic sectors include information technology, manufacturing, oil refining, food processing, health care, biotechnology, tourism, and financial services. Financial activities account for the largest sector of the metropolitan area’s economy, and it is one of the largest health education and research centers in the United States. The city is home to the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and some of the area’s largest companies including cable television and internet provider Comcast, insurance companies Colonial Penn, CIGNA, Independence Blue Cross, energy company Sunoco, food services company Aramark and Crown, chemical makers Rohm and Haas and FMC, pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, and automotive parts retailer Pep Boys. Over the years, Ms. Matteson has worked for several companies in the Philadelphia area, most notably FMC.


Minneapolis MN
Minneapolis MN

Minneapolis is the larger of the Twin Cities, in Minnesota. With a population of nearly 4 million, it is the 16th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. As of 2015, had a population of 410,939 within the city proper. Minneapolis and Saint Paul anchor the second-largest economic center in the Midwest, after Chicago. The economy of Minneapolis today is based in commerce, finance, rail and trucking services, health care, and industry. Smaller components are in publishing, milling, food processing, graphic arts, insurance, education, and high technology. Industry produces metal and automotive products, chemical and agricultural products, electronics, computers, precision medical instruments and devices, plastics, and machinery. The city at one time produced farm implements. Five Fortune 500 corporations make their headquarters within the city limits of Minneapolis: Target, U.S. Bancorp, Xcel Energy, Ameriprise Financial and Thrivent Financial. As of 2015 the city’s largest employers downtown are Target, Wells Fargo, HCMC, Hennepin County, Ameriprise, U.S. Bancorp, Xcel Energy, City of Minneapolis, RBC Wealth Management, the Star Tribune, Capella Education Company, Thrivent, CenturyLink, ABM Industries, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Foreign companies with U.S. offices in Minneapolis include Accenture, Bellisio Foods (now part of Charoen Pokphand Foods), Canadian Pacific, Coloplast, RBC, and Voya Financial. Zeiss Industrial Metrology, one of Ms. Matteson’s clients is located in a suburb of Minneapolis.


Wilmington NC
Wilmington NC

Wilmington is a port city and the county seat of New Hanover County in coastal south-eastern North Carolina, United States. The population is 112,067; according to the 2010 Census it is the eighth most populous city in the state. Wilmington is the principal city of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a metropolitan area that includes New Hanover and Pender counties in south-eastern North Carolina, which has a population of 263,429 as of the 2012 Census Estimate. Wilmington’s industrial base includes electrical, medical, electronic and telecommunications equipment; clothing and apparel; food processing; paper products; nuclear fuel; and pharmaceuticals. Wilmington is part of North Carolina’s Research coast, adjacent to the Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC. Located on the Cape Fear River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington is a sizable seaport, including private marine terminals and the North Carolina State Ports Authority’s Port of Wilmington. Wilmington is home to the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, the oldest Chamber in North Carolina, organized in 1853. Companies with their headquarters in Wilmington include Live Oak Bank and HomeInsurance.com. Top employers include General Electric, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Pharmaceutical Product Development, and Corning. Ms. Matteson hopes to relocate to this area in the near future.


Boston MA
Boston MA

Boston is the capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city proper covers 48 square miles or 124 km2 with an estimated population of 667,137 in 2015, making it the largest city in New England and the 23rd most populous city in the United States. The city is the economic and cultural anchor of a substantially larger metropolitan area known as Greater Boston, a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) home to a census-estimated 4.7 million people in 2014 and ranking as the tenth-largest such area in the country. Alternately, as a Combined Statistical Area (CSA), this wider commuting region is home to some 8.1 million people, making it the sixth-largest as such in the United States. A global city, Boston is placed among the top 30 most economically powerful cities in the world. Encompassing $363 billion, the Greater Boston metropolitan area has the sixth-largest economy in the country and 12th-largest in the world. Boston’s colleges and universities exert a significant impact on the regional economy. Boston attracts more than 350,000 college students from around the world, who contribute more than $4.8 billion annually to the city’s economy. The area’s schools are major employers and attract industries to the city and surrounding region. The city is home to a number of technology companies and is a hub for biotechnology, with the Milken Institute rating Boston as the top life sciences cluster in the country. Boston receives the highest absolute amount of annual funding from the National Institutes of Health of all cities in the United States. The city is considered highly innovative for a variety of reasons, including the presence of academia, access to venture capital, and the presence of many high-tech companies. The Route 128 corridor and Greater Boston continue to be a major center for venture capital investment, and high technology remains an important sector. This is an area that Ms. Matteson plans to target in her practice.

Testimonials

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Major Biopharma Company

“Thank you once again for facilitating a very productive introductory leader integration with my new leadership team. I find the summary you put together to be reflective of the dialogue and want you to know that after the session the team was very complimentary of you as well as shared with me that they found the session of value and look forward to continued work with you (as the team) on this subject”. – Head Field Medical


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Manufacturing Company

“Wayne told me what a great job you did for him and his team. He was very happy and extremely impressed. He’s never seen such strong teambuilding … yeah for you and us!!!!” – VP, Human Resources


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Major Pharmaceutical Company

“I have worked with Ms. Matteson for 12 years while in three different positions. She has helped my leadership teams and me to design and shape the culture of each organization, including our vision, mission and values. She has also helped to strengthen the teams by facilitating various team and leadership development modules. She has been an excellent advisor to me and acts as a sounding board for almost everything I do from an organization development standpoint. Ms. Matteson is an excellent listener, asks thought provoking questions and frequently thinks of things that I had not considered. I highly recommend her.”– Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs



World-Leading Technology Firm

“Many thanks for customizing the teambuilding workshop for our team. You facilitated a highly productive session, and taught us what we need to know to make further progress on our own. And, your skill in adapting the agenda on the fly was put to great use!” – Vice President, Information Technology


Pharmaceutical Company

“I am living proof of the benefits of Ms. Matteson’s executive coaching. In addition to being more effective in my present role, I am significantly more motivated to continue my career with my current employer.” – Senior Executive

Personal Profile

Mr Chicles is an approved Certified Learning Provider (CLP) at Appleton Greene who is a business leader and strategist with broad experience in the global multi-industrial, aerospace and defense sectors. He is a seasoned operational leader of global industrial businesses, leading transformational strategies in highly competitive markets.

As a senior, C-suite strategist for multiple major industrial corporations he has led multiple mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings, as well as corporate break-ups and spin-offs. He has a distinguished track record of successful transformations of complex organizations in dynamic and uncertain market conditions while engendering the trust and buy-in of employees, customers, vendors, owners, corporate leadership and boards of directors.

A highly engaged leader at the personal and team level he has demonstrated the ability to engender effective senior teams and boards. He’s also an active mentor, teacher and community leader.

Mr Chicles is an active board member with AES Seals, global leader in sustainable reliability engineering, and Micro Technologies Inc, an electronics and advanced manufacturing company. He is a principal partner with ProOrbis Enterprises®, a management science consultancy with premier clients such as the US Navy and PwC, as well as the principal of Xiphos Associates™, a management and M&A advisory. Recently, he served as Board Director and Chairman of Global Business Development with Hydro Inc. the largest independent pump and flow systems engineering services provider in the world.

He was President of ITT’s Industrial Process / Goulds Pumps business segment a global manufacturer of industrial pumps, valves, monitoring and control systems, and aftermarket services for numerous industries with $1.2 billion in revenue, 3,500 employees and 34 facilities in 17 countries. Preceding this role he served as Executive Vice President of ITT Corporation overseeing the creation of a newly conceived ITT Inc. following the break-up of the former ITT Corporation to establish its strategy and corporate functions such as HR, communications, IT and M&A, building the capabilities, policies and organizations for each.

He joined ITT Corporation’s executive committee as its strategy chief in 2006 and instituted disciplined strategic planning processes and developed robust acquisition pipelines to respond to rapidly changing markets. Created successful spin-offs of 2 new public corporations Exelis Inc. and Xylem Inc. ITT Corporation was named one of “America’s Most Respected Corporations” by Forbes for exemplary management and performance during his tenure there.

Before joining ITT, Mr Chicles served as Vice President of Corporate Business Development and head of mergers and acquisitions for American Standard / Trane Companies, where he initiated and closed numerous transactions and equity restructurings globally.

Additionally, he created and led the corporate real estate function which entailed more than 275 real estate transactions around the world.

He began his career at Owens Corning rising through the ranks in various operational roles to Vice President of Corporate Development.

Recently, he taught advanced enterprise strategy at Stevens Institute of Technology as an adjunct professor and still supports start-ups through the Stevens Venture Center. He continues to be active as the Founding Board Member with several successful start-up technology businesses and non-profit organizations. A community leader, Mr Chicles has held the role of President of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tenafly, N.J., He also led trips abroad to Cambodia and Costa Rica to build sustainable clean-water solutions and affordable housing.

His formal education includes earning a Masters of Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelors in Finance from Miami University.

(CLP) Programs

People 3

Appleton Greene corporate training programs are all process-driven. They are used as vehicles to implement tangible business processes within clients’ organizations, together with training, support and facilitation during the use of these processes. Corporate training programs are therefore implemented over a sustainable period of time, that is to say, between 1 year (incorporating 12 monthly workshops), and 4 years (incorporating 48 monthly workshops). Your program information guide will specify how long each program takes to complete. Each monthly workshop takes 6 hours to implement and can be undertaken either on the client’s premises, an Appleton Greene serviced office, or online via the internet. This enables clients to implement each part of their business process, before moving onto the next stage of the program and enables employees to plan their study time around their current work commitments. The result is far greater program benefit, over a more sustainable period of time and a significantly improved return on investment.

People 4

Appleton Greene uses standard and bespoke corporate training programs as vessels to transfer business process improvement knowledge into the heart of our clients’ organizations. Each individual program focuses upon the implementation of a specific business process, which enables clients to easily quantify their return on investment. There are hundreds of established Appleton Greene corporate training products now available to clients within customer services, e-business, finance, globalization, human resources, information technology, legal, management, marketing and production. It does not matter whether a client’s employees are located within one office, or an unlimited number of international offices, we can still bring them together to learn and implement specific business processes collectively. Our approach to global localization enables us to provide clients with a truly international service with that all important personal touch. Appleton Greene corporate training programs can be provided virtually or locally and they are all unique in that they individually focus upon a specific business function. All (CLP) programs are implemented over a sustainable period of time, usually between 1-4 years, incorporating 12-48 monthly workshops and professional support is consistently provided during this time by qualified learning providers and where appropriate, by Accredited Consultants.

Executive summary

Key Knowledge Transfer

Acquisitive Growth

In today’s context of changing markets, technologies and business models, and in conjunction with historic levels of available capital, acquisitive growth has emerged as an increasingly compelling approach to transformational growth. However, as has been empirically proven growth through acquisitions is fraught with pitfalls and inherently risky. Successfully acquisitive growth requires the confluence of many factors that go beyond the traditional phased steps of a typical process. In my experience success is a function of bringing together the elements of people, processes, and technologies into a set of capabilities that are custom-made for an organization’s particular strengths, circumstances and aspirations. Winning in today’s dynamic markets demands bold, unique and sustainable strategies. The following are the stages of such an approach that I have found to create high probability, profitable growth that stands the test of time.

Additionally, while the M&A industry has many advisors available, they tend not to be operating executives who have lived through all the elements I will lay out below. Many simplistic guidelines exist, however what its clear is that the difference between success and failure with acquisitive growth is not in rote adherence to some set of processes, rather it is found in the combination of process discipline and strong application of experiential, practical knowhow. The nature of this knowhow is to apply and allocate the elements below in a smart, efficient manner to achieve exemplary outcomes for the specific client’s unique situation and circumstances.


Strategy Development: Whether at the corporate level or in a specific business unit, clients would be taken through steps to clarify the markets and segments where they currently compete and where they want to go in the future, what differentiates them from competition, where capabilities need to be refined or built, and the various functional elements (e.g. systems, processes, structures, etc.) critical to sustain profitable growth. Approach would be a combination of review of current strategies/capabilities, interviews and facilitated discussions and structured workshops. Outcomes might be a strategy to bring a particular business into a new growth phase or to meet changing competitive environments, or at the enterprise level might entail “platform building” whereby new businesses, sectors or legs are build from the ground up through foundational initial acquisitions and subsequent organic and inorganic initiatives.

Market Focus: Where will we hunt for acquisition targets? If a company allows too-wide of a scope will find themselves suffering from expensive resource drains/distractions and/or dilute efforts. Therefore, following the alignment of enterprise/business strategies the process will seek to focus the market segments and the business criteria to qualify a company to be elevated to possible target.

Research Possible Targets: Simply put, take the descriptions and criteria from above and create lists of potential targets that might fit. Each such company is researched for available information, any currently available knowledge the client might have, etc. Output is a gross list of possible targets.

Target Approach: Utilizing a number of possible approaches, one that is appropriate for the client is determined. For example, some companies may have business development or sales teams who could participate in this stage, or on the other hand for reasons such as confidentiality, resource scarcity, etc this might need to be put into the hands of specific individuals (senior executives, dedicated M&A executives, 3rd party services, etc.). Each company is different, so this is an exercise of matching needs with capabilities. The objective is to screen the gross target list to elminate those who have “killer facts” such as big contingent liabilities, prohibitive complexity such as a company with a complex ownership structure, our any other aspects that renders a target not acceptable for the next step.

Cultivation: This is a very critical part of the overall process. The essence of this authentic, genuine and meaningful relationship-buidling which requires a combination of individuals with certain skill-sets to ‘sell’ the prospects on being acquired, patience and persistence. I have many approaches, processes and techniques that I have and continue to use to great effect in this regard. Output is a short list of interested targets who have moved to active discussions and in-person meetings.

Target Assessment: During the cultivation phase as it gets more advanced, a critical success factor for effective acquisitive growth is the ability to narrow the list with limited amounts of information. This is important because the next phase is quite intensive so any company can not practically thoroughly assess all such targets. In other words, how does a client gain the insights needed to do this? Some might consider this the ‘phase I due diligence’ whereby, prior to the engagement of expensive resources such as lawyers, accountants, etc., an overview of a target’s current status is determined. Through structured and open discussions, the client engages in discussions with the targets to learn as much as possible..

Preliminary Offer: Structuring of a term sheet or letter of intent based on finding to date. Depending on these findings, certain terms may be included to lay out a) value expectations; b) focus for due diligences and commitment to support it; and c) various legal terms typical for these agreements. This tend to be non-binding agreements meant to establish exclusivity of dealings for a period of time, high level terms that both parties agree to, and confidentiality. Given my background, I have the abilility to craft these documents with minimal legal cost.

Due Diligence: This is yet another element of acquisitions that can take several different forms. Depending on the situation and capabilities of both clients and targets, due diligence activites tend to have different scopes and approaches that match each particular circumstance. A simple example would be a private company target versus a public company. With the latter, sellers often limit potential acquirers to only publicly available information whereas private companies may have limited information at their disposal. Therefore, each approach must be designed for purpose, with the output being a customized plan for a particular target. This leads to both more efficient and cost effective processes as well as deeper insights to help with final decisions.

Deal Making: After the due diligence phase, and with a set of terms already agreed, the negotiations begin to finalized the terms of value, liabilities and the myriad legal and busses considerations that must be addressed and finalized. Whether as chief negotiator or as a trusted advisor to the same, I would bring my experience and talent to bear on this phase as well as some structured approaches/guidelines.

Integration Planning: Concurrent with the commencement of due diligence, full attention is required to determine the structure, resources, plans and teams for post-closing integration. Specific approaches and processes would be employed here to ensure that a proper integration leader is named (critical), robust but prioritized integration plans (e.g. IT and Finance integration might be a first priority for some companies), organizational and assimilation plans, and specific actions in several other area. Among the more difficult and critical elements of integration is culture. While culture is a key consideration in the pre-offer phases, it tends to be among the more challenging aspects to successful acquisitions and an area where experience from a career of hands-on accountability of acquisitions brings valuable insights. Several pro-active approaches can be introduced to the clients to determine which is best to employ with any particular integration.

Execution: From plans to execution requires much more than a roadmap. While such roadmaps are critical, it is the confluence of leadership and human capital, prioritized focused actions to achieve specific results, and finally sustainable integration to bring into the client’s company the full potential of the value creation possible. Tools exist and can be created to provide structure and management support to achieve this consistently.


Appleton Greene

Important And Strategic Elements Of A Growth By Acquisition Approach

This program has thus far concentrated on the role that acquisition strategies play in driving growth.

However, this assumes that the acquisitions are carried out properly on its own. Experience has shown that acquisitions may both produce and destroy value, with the execution of the transaction typically making the difference.

The following are crucial and strategic elements that support successful acquisitions:

• Considering strategic fit: Purchasing merely for the sake of purchasing is little more than management hubris. The target businesses should in some manner meet the needs of the buyer’s company strategy (i.e. product or service line, geographic reach, etc.).

• Addressing culture fit: Due to cultural mismatches between the two merging organizations, some of the largest mergers in history have failed. It is important to take into account a company’s culture because it directly affects how it creates value.

• Doing thorough due diligence: This guarantees that the buyer “looks beneath the hood” of the company they are buying and that the price they are looking to pay for the company reflects its intrinsic value.

• Integration: Even when the share purchase agreement’s ink dries, the deal is not finalized. The two businesses must now start an integration process to ensure that they grow into something greater than the sum of their individual parts.


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Advantages Of Growth Acquisition

10 advantages of expanding your company through acquisition

If you’re deciding whether to enter into an acquisition contract, you might wish to take into account the following list of acquisition benefits:

1. Strengthens a failing business

The company you work for might be going through a period of underperformance, and an acquisition might be the answer. The ability to work together as a team rather than alone may be a key factor in the business’ success. As you get to share resources with the company you’re merging with, this can assist keep the business from failing.

2. Secure financing for growth

By making an acquisition, a company might gain access to money or other important assets that it might not otherwise have at its disposal. You can easily acquire these assets with the aid of an acquisition. The firm and its employees may benefit from collaborating with a company that has sufficient resources because the development of the enterprise is the ultimate objective.

3. Have access to skilled personnel of high caliber

An acquisition can aid in boosting both the amount and quality of employees who are knowledgeable about the demands of the company. The experienced staff often stays on the firm payroll after an acquisition is completed so they can integrate. Their business acumen contributes to the companies’ success after the merger.

4. Expand the company’s market.

The corporation may diversify its offerings of goods and services as a result of the acquisition. You can make a variety of goods and distribute them to various target consumers. An acquisition often aids in a company’s development and growth.

5. Increase market influence

When you enter a new market, making an acquisition might help you combine market forces and exercise control. The synergy it offers increases your market presence and market share. If you plan to establish branches or subsidiary businesses, an acquisition may assist you lessen competition and preserve market dominance.

6. Make sure more capital is available.

Because the company is now larger after an acquisition, access to cash is improved. Higher cash and funds are available and accessible as a result of the arrangement. Amountable capital may be extended to both companies according on the agreement the companies come to when making the purchase.

7. A decrease in training expenses

Through an acquisition, your company may be able to cut internal training costs by using resources from the other acquired company. The cost of employee training is not necessary if the acquired firm develops its resources. You can use the company’s resources, depending on their state of development, to train other employees so they can develop their skill set.

8. Boost the competitiveness of your business

A purchase can take care of the requirement to adhere to higher standards as a result of the development in technical advancements. By joining forces with a smaller company that possesses the required technologies, a larger corporation can maintain its competitive position. Long-term gains from this may accrue to both businesses.

9. Lower production expenses

If you can use another company’s production facilities, facilities, and storage space, merging with them can save your production expenses. Building these kinds of facilities can be expensive, but if the business expands, it might be necessary. Sharing resources could significantly affect the budget and production costs.

10. Enable you to fulfill stakeholder expectations

Stakeholders could have expectations for the company’s growth, and making an acquisition is an effective strategy to achieve such expectations. An purchase increases the likelihood of investment returns, which may gratify the stakeholders. The pressure from the stakeholders can be handled more easily by making an acquisition, and you can even surpass their expectations.


Appleton Greene

What To Watch Out For During The Entire Acquisition Growth Process

Investigating less evident problems within the target company is the goal of the due diligence procedure.

This ranges from contracts with sizable clients that are about to expire to potential legal proceedings resulting from past business decisions.

But there are a few things that the buyer should watch out for on a more strategic level.

They consist of the following:

• Culture: Even if this phrase keeps coming up, it is crucial to the success of M&As. The culture of the target company should be thoroughly researched by prospective buyers in order to have a sense of what they are getting into.

• Competitive Edge: Is the target company “plain vanilla” or does it engage in any activities that offer it a competitive advantage (which we’ll define as the capacity to produce above-market value over the long term)?

• Leadership: Would the target company’s leadership complement your own leadership team in a positive way? Spend some time with them while conducting your research to see whether this might be the case.

• Possibilities: Are there any prospects that the target firm can take advantage of that your business won’t be able to in the near future? Let’s say it’s because of a service or product line they offer that is expected to see rapid expansion.

• Synergies: Where do your two companies’ synergies lie? Are they really complementary, or does purchasing the target company actually run the danger of causing some of your company’s income streams to be cannibalized?

Program Objectives

The following list represents the Key Program Objectives (KPO) for the Appleton Greene Acquisitive Growth corporate training program.

Acquisitive Growth – Part 1- Year 1Appleton Greene

  1. Part 1 Month 1 Business Assessment – Assessments can be incredibly valuable tools for organizations of all sizes. A comprehensive assessment methodology can help you evaluate your organization across multiple dimensions. But what are business assessments, what do they entail, and what are the benefits? Business assessments can help you identify areas of improvement and potential acquisitive growth. By taking a comprehensive approach, you can get an accurate picture of your organization’s strengths and weaknesses. Assessments can also help you develop actionable plans to improve your business. At their core, business assessments are all about providing clarity. When you’re feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day details of running a business, it can be difficult to step back and get a clear picture of where your company is headed. That’s where assessments come in. By taking a comprehensive look at your company’s strengths and weaknesses, you can develop a clear road map for success. Assessments are an essential part of any business plan. By evaluating your company’s strengths and weaknesses, you can develop a roadmap for growth. Furthermore, assessments can help identify areas where your company may be at risk. By addressing these risks early on, you can avoid potential problems down the road. In addition, assessments can help you benchmark your company’s performance against others in your industry. This benchmarking process can give you valuable insights into areas where your company may need to improve. Ultimately, regular business assessments are a crucial tool for any organization that is looking to grow and thrive.
  2. Part 1 Month 2 Strategic Aspiration – A Winning Aspiration defines the purpose of your enterprise, its guiding mission and aspiration, in strategic terms. The first choice of the strategic choice cascade is winning aspirations. Here we ask, “what is our winning aspiration.” Strategically, our winning aspiration defines our purpose. Aspirations are a view of the future. Qualified with “winning,” it is the ideal future that we strive to achieve. Unless you deliberately set out to win, it is impossible to do so. A business that only wants to participate rather than succeed will invariably fall short of making the difficult decisions and large investments necessary to succeed. Aspirations that are too modest rather than lofty are much more harmful. Most businesses fail because they have low expectations.
  3. Part 1 Month 3 Segment Focus – Every company aspires to grow. But, in a market where competition is fierce, inorganic business growth requires insight and innovation. Segmenting the market and customers is among the most effective techniques to promote acquisitive growth. Yet as numerous businesses have shown, artful segmentation can result in a significant competitive advantage. The purpose of segmentation is to inform your marketing approach. Using this method, it is feasible to recognize and categorize groups of potential clients based on their shared preferences, needs, and interests. This method effectively identifies the demographics most likely to value a specific good or service you provide. Furthermore, it may assist you in positioning that service so that it outperforms that of your rivals.
  4. Part 1 Month 4 Targeted Offerings – Everything the market offers, be it products or services or any experience, is known as a market offering. Market offerings are also divided among themselves based on the nature of the offering. Read along to understand the role and value of market offerings. Individuals within a market have different wants and needs. As a result, businesses in the market offer various products and services. The ultimate aim of businesses is to fulfill all the varying wants and needs of the population. Providing better target offerings and standing out in the market will eventually lead to more loyal customers and a broader customer base. People expect businesses to add value to their lives in various ways, precisely the purpose of market offerings – satisfying customer needs.
  5. Part 1 Month 5 Target Pool – The purpose of this workshop is to map out the offerings that one wants to develop or enhance for the focus segments defined by WDP3. A target pool is at the intersection of Targeted Offerings and Focused Segments. For example, if your strategy is focused on growing a currently manufactured product beyond your existing markets, you’ll want to know all the players who make these products in the markets where you don’t currently play but aspire to. In this simple case, the target pool would be derived by researching the current suppliers in these focus segments and profiling them for certain things such as size, channels to market, etc. The approach of this workshop is to take the Targeted Offerings and in a way and ‘map’ them with the Segment Focus areas we developed previously. In reality you might only need to do one or few of these approaches, but the workshop can develop the understanding and skills to do this work, which is in essence synthesizing the ‘strategic play’ associated with any acquisitive growth program.
  6. Part 1 Month 6 Target Identification – Target identification in acquisitive growth is the process of identifying potential companies or assets that align with the strategic objectives of the acquiring company. It involves conducting comprehensive research, market analysis, and due diligence to evaluate various factors such as financial performance, growth potential, synergies, industry trends, competitive landscape, and cultural fit. The goal is to identify targets that offer strategic value and can contribute to the acquirer’s growth, profitability, market position, or diversification objectives. This process requires careful evaluation, consideration of risks, and alignment with the acquiring company’s overall M&A strategy to ensure successful integration and value creation.
  7. Part 1 Month 7 Target Approach – All business investors are “financial” investors – the real question is how “strategic” is their ability to leverage the assets of the target. Providing practical guidance on approaching a business target and conducting initial due diligence depends on the investor’s criterion, competencies, and execution bandwidth. At this point, you will have identified a target or group of targets and you are attempting to learn enough about the target to determine whether to proceed with developing a meaningful indication of interest. Of course, an active seller is likely prepared for the sale process and represented by an advisor who is postured to provide the financial and operating information necessary for investors to quickly determine the suitability of a deal (i.e., a pitchbook and defined protocols for communication and information access). However, many desirable targets may not be seeking a sale because business conditions are favorable, and their businesses have been managed to provide options to the owners regarding continued independence and turn-key ownership and management succession. If the former, you, as a prospective buyer may have already pinged on the radar of the seller, and if the later, you have mined for target opportunities and are ready for the next step to accomplish an acquisition.
  8. Part 1 Month 8 Deal Approach – The M&A landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and the balance of power is shifting further in favour of buyers. For attractive businesses, however, sellers may wish to make divestments through an auction process which is designed to elicit competitive bidding among interested parties to facilitate the sale of a business or stake in a company at the highest price and on the best possible terms. Not all transactions require collaboration between the buyer and the seller, however. In many instances, an auction is still a better approach than a negotiation. The trick is in knowing which process to use when. To make that choice, you need to clearly understand your potential buyers, the characteristics of the asset in question, your own priorities, and the relative importance of speed and transparency to obtaining the best price.
  9. Part 1 Month 9 Cultivation – (non-auction)
  10. Part 1 Month 10 Cultivation – (organized process)
  11. Part 1 Month 11 Confirm Target – Assuming initial contact and conversations go well, the acquirer asks the target company to provide substantial information (current financials, etc.) that will enable the acquirer to further evaluate the target, both as a business on its own and as a suitable acquisition target. After producing several valuation models of the target company, the acquirer should have sufficient information to enable it to construct a reasonable offer; Once the initial offer has been presented, the two companies can negotiate terms in more detail.
  12. Part 1 Month 12 Talent Assessment – Talent decisions can be made with less precision, discipline, and data but frequently require more complexity than other integration decisions (such as decisions about goods, markets, or customers). M&A leaders must “up their game” in talent assessment if they want to succeed. In the end, the acquirer must decide if current employees from the target (the acquired company) are the most qualified to carry out the goals of the new organization.