Projects related to: Strategy Development and Facilitation

Market Research and Analysis of SME Manufacturing Companies (NIST MEP)
  • “Market Research and Analysis Project – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Identified competitive drivers, technical assistance needs, and purchasing behavior of small manufacturers nationwide. Developed 13 separate industry analyses based in part on 160 face-to-face interviews with manufacturers. Strategic implications were developed for the MEP program based on this market analysis.
Partnerships Program Strategy (ITA)
  • Program Strategy: Trade Promotion and Strategic Partnerships (TPSP) Program – US Department of Commerce/ International Trade Administration
    Helped ITA to reassess its Strategic Partnership Program strategy to maximize results for ITA; included creation of a framework for evaluating and prioritizing partnerships.
Regional Market Analysis, Planning and Targeting Strategy for MEP Centers
  • Regional Market Analysis and Planning Handbook – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Developed handbook for MEP centers that provides practical guidance for conducting regional market analysis of the manufacturing base and for using the information to make strategic decisions about target markets, product/service offerings, and marketing.
  • Regional Market Analysis and Planning – Various MEP Centers
    Assisted MEP centers in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Montana and North Dakota to collect and use market data for strategic decisions
  • Targeting Strategy – Minnesota Technology (MEP Center)
    Assisted manufacturing extension center to determine targeted market strategy, including unique focus on companies with proprietary products.
  • CONNSTEP Target Market Research – Customer Interview Project, August 2005
    Identified competitive challenges and service needs of Connecticut small and mid-size manufacturers, focusing on areas that supported revenue growth (strategy, marketing and product development) as opposed to MEP’s traditional areas of practice (operational/manufacturing issues). Also obtained customer input on new “Enterprise Growth” service offerings.
Market Strategy for New Branded Service (NIST MEP)
  • Market Strategy for New Branded Consulting Service – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Assisted client in strategy refinement for new branded consulting service based in part on market interviews with the MEP/Stone & Associates Market Research Panel of manufacturing company executives.
Business Model Analysis (NIST MEP)
  • Business Model Analysis – to increase impact and expand reach – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership
    Assessed the MEP program business and service model to determine where changes may be required to reach more companies, offer a wider range of services, and have a more significant impact on manufacturing sector performance – particularly for smaller firms. Identified strategic implications for the MEP program, and offered an independent set of recommendations as a starting point for discussion about potential program changes. Established “right size” of the program needed to reach a greater and realistic percentage of the manufacturing market. See report.
Strategic Planning
  • Strategic Planning – Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, 1999-2007
    Facilitated annual strategic planning process for nine years, helping VMEC become a top performing center nationally.
Small Business Assistance Partnerships (NIST MEP)
  • Small Business Assistance Partnerships Project – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership
    Developed a business case for MEP center partnerships with other economic development programs at the local/regional level. Identified optimal partners to pursue, and offered strategies for maximizing benefits.
Brand Strategy (NIST MEP)
  • Brand Strategy Development – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Assisted MEP (a non-profit consulting network) in the development of a national brand strategy.
Non-profit Revenue Generation Workshop
  • Workshops on Revenue Generation – U.S. Department of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
    Provided workshops to non-profit manufacturing extension centers on increasing client revenue and adopting business management practices.