Customer Survey
Engaged by a major software firm to interview their current and potential clients to identify how their market penetration could be improved. We talked to CIO's and senior development staff, summarized the responses and made specific recommendations on the firm's positioning, and on the marketing and sales activities that would increase revenue in the short and long term.
Trends Analysis
A leading Global Custodian wanted to identify and understand the key trends that are driving the worldwide securities industry. We conducted primary and secondary research that resulted in the identification of several basic trends. Each major trend was supported by defining the underlying trends and a set of metrics that would allow our client to continue monitoring the trends after the assignment was completed.
Surveys
Conducted numerous telephone, questionnaire and in-person surveys of customers, potential customers and industry experts to answer specific client questions and concerns. The results of TSG's confidential surveys are discussed only with our client.
Benchmarking
Identified unit costs and average processing times for multiple activities and collected comparable data for equivalent firms. Compared the results, identified Best Practices and assisted our client in implementing the most useful concepts.
Statement Design
Re-designed a client statement package that consolidated banking and brokerage information and presented it in an easy to understand format for the Private Banking business of a major international bank. After surveying the existing competition, we conducted focus group sessions to understand how people used statements. We then designed the statement, built the data repository, and produced customized statements within a six month period of time.
Industry Survey
Engaged by The Depository Trust Company to evaluate the market potential for a new industry-wide service that became Trade Suite. The survey involved numerous in-depth interviews with senior industry experts as well as questionnaires that were sent to banks, brokers and investment managers throughout the securities industry.
Marketplace Training
Surveyed how the leading database vendors served the securities industry and presented the results to our client - the database vendor's senior marketing and sales staff. The presentation included an overview of how the securities industry works and how various firms within the industry use database software.
Technical Architecture Survey
Reviewed how leading firms architected their applications and employed technologies to meet their current and future needs. The survey included detailed interviews with key CIO's and senior technical staff in securities firms throughout the US. The result of the survey was used as input for a new strategic technology plan and as the basis for the redesign of several applications.
Applications Analysis
Assisted several clients in defining User Requirements after TSG evaluated what our clients' competition was using to support similar products. We prepared RFPs, evaluated the results of the RFPs and developed a recommendation. Many of these assignments have resulted in The Summit Group assisting in the implementation of the new application that was selected.
Staff Survey
Assisted a leading international bank to identify the technical and professional competencies of its current IS staff and determine the competencies that will be needed to implement the next generation of technology within the bank. The research process included a detailed questionnaire and a series of in-depth focus group sessions, which resulted in a presentation of the results and a recommendation to our client's senior management. Based upon our recommendation, the bank changed its recruiting, hiring and training policies for technology professionals.
Product Analysis
A major international services firm located in Europe engaged The Summit Group to identify the specific products that could be added to their product line that would position the firm to profit from fundamental industry trends, and which would not compete with their bank owners. The process involved detailed, in-person interviews with over forty senior bankers in the US and in Europe. As a result, our client was able to modify their product line and processing flow to increase revenues within a very short period of time.
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