Moving companies forward
Business Model & Strategy
Future-proof business models – including digital ones
Every company is based on an idea and therefore also has a business model. In practice, however, the wheat is quickly separated from the chaff – the better business models from the weaker ones. Technological developments are fuelling this trend, and alongside the classic models, digital business models are increasingly coming to the fore.
Like machines and plants, business models too must be reviewed again and again in order to maintain or improve their performance. Companies do not develop uniformly over the years either. They have to adapt dynamically and agilely to market requirements in order to remain competitive.
To identify existing potential as well as necessary areas for action, honest analyses and new concepts are required. Growth strategies in particular are subject to extreme and rapidly changing market and framework conditions. Continuously readjusting or expanding them – for example by introducing complementary digital business models – is decisive for success.
The business model outlines the key factors of the company and shows why, with what and how a company earns money. At the heart of every company is a value proposition. Together with you, we further develop your current value proposition as well as your business model.
Tailored strategies for implementation
Once the business model has been revised and further developed, we turn to the strategy for implementing your corporate transformation. For a given period, the strategy defines how you will achieve your corporate goals and the operational implementation of your business model. It is important to us that no strategy papers are produced „for the drawer“, but rather actionable concepts backed by concrete measures and clear responsibilities. Together with you, we translate these into achievable and quantifiable targets within your operational corporate planning.
Companies in difficulty
There are situations in which small changes to a company are not enough. In such cases, restructuring becomes necessary. This can have two reasons: the strategic realignment of the company, or averting a crisis.
A strategic restructuring often also involves letting go of existing business areas or business units. This makes strategic restructuring an emotional process too – one into which owners, management and employees must be involved.
Our approach to strategic restructuring consists of individual steps. First, we determine the initial situation. In doing so, we examine the existing business model for viability and future readiness. On this basis, we develop ideas with you for further developing the business model.
To develop a suitable turnaround strategy, we determine the stage and the causes of the crisis. On this basis, we formulate a target vision for the future. We analyse the long-term developments in the strategic business areas on the market and customer side and answer the questions: What will definitely change in the coming years? What will definitely not change? Where do we want to be in two, four and six years?
In the third step, we draw up a comprehensive restructuring concept. It comprises the planning of measures for crisis management over the coming months in order to achieve the previously defined goals.
Once this is complete, all measures and the associated costs and revenues are transferred into an integrated plan.
Agile methods for more creativity
No matter what stage your company is currently in, there are challenges that have to be overcome. We do not leave you alone with this and develop – together with you and your team – viable and implementable concepts that bring people on board. We have many years of experience in conducting workshops and use creativity techniques and agile methods such as the Business Model Canvas, Blue & Red Ocean Strategy, SCRUM and many more in order to find the best solutions.
Success can be planned
Planning & Financing
A clear view of your project
Regardless of the situation you currently find yourself in – whether implementing a new project, averting a crisis, or acquiring or selling a company – a business assessment can support you in any of them. Make use of our sound experience and receive individual assessments to support and substantiate your decisions.
Integrated corporate planning
Decision-makers are expected to have a clear picture of the future and to align their decisions accordingly. They are supposed to assess how society and the economy will develop in the future. The future cannot be predicted, of course, yet well-founded decisions can certainly be made based on observations of the present.
At the beginning of every change in a company, the planned measures should therefore be planned in terms of both revenue and costs. Corporate planning makes it possible to consider various scenarios and their effects on the company.
During the planning process, we therefore validate the underlying planning assumptions particularly carefully. In addition to profitability, we also plan the balance sheet development with the corresponding liquidity effects. From the overall picture of the planned developments, we then derive the company’s financing requirements.
You can see possible courses of action early on and therefore make the right decisions.
Financing and public funding
In line with your financing requirements, your business model and your corporate strategy, we develop a sustainable and suitable financing structure together. We support you in finding the right combination of debt capital (e.g. bank loans, development loans, bonds), equity (e.g. venture capital), mezzanine financing (e.g. silent partnerships, profit-participation capital, subordinated loans) and public funding. For funding programmes at EU level, as well as regional and sector-specific programmes, you receive support with the application and project handling. Our consulting itself – from drawing up the business plan to approaching investors – can, where applicable, be co-financed through public funding.
Preparing documents & negotiations
Discussions and negotiations with financial institutions and funding providers should be well prepared and conducted professionally. Let us support you in conducting negotiations with banks, investors and public institutions through to the conclusion of the financing, and benefit from the experience of our experts in this sector.
Using new technologies sensibly
Organisation & IT
No corporate organisation without IT
Today, business processes are mapped almost entirely via IT systems. Whether in sales with CRM systems, in development and design with CAD systems, in production with MES tools, or across the entire company with ERP systems, etc. – there is hardly any area in which IT does not play a role.
In this respect, a modern understanding of organisation cannot do without profound knowledge of current IT technology and systems. The consistent and end-to-end use of all systems and their interconnection is a key success criterion in ever-faster-changing markets.
That is why, together with you, we take a look at your existing organisation and the support of your processes by your corporate IT in order to identify strengths and weaknesses. In doing so, we also define how to weigh goals such as reducing costs through IT, business process optimisation and organisational optimisation through IT, creating added value, and redesigning products and services through digitalisation.
If systems need to be changed or replaced, we determine suitable requirement profiles. We support you in finding implementation partners and accompany you during the software rollout as an advocate of your interests.
Information technology in value creation
It is not only efficient processes and suitable information technology that are strategic competitive factors, but also a company’s ability to market its existing data and information itself. These so-called digital business models can complement or even replace existing ones.
Together with our strategists, proven IT and data experts support you in working out which possibilities are open to your company. A suitable IT strategy is developed that sustainably supports the corporate strategy and focuses on achieving the company’s goals.
Supporting change processes
Changes to processes and ways of working affect the people in the company in particular. Bringing these people on board and involving them is essential for the success of the implementation. We therefore develop the right communication strategies with you and support you in implementing them.
Implementation and controlling
Of course, during realisation you receive support in implementing, monitoring and controlling the measures and successes. As an external service provider – free of „operational blindness“ – we are happy to take over controlling for you.
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What our clients say
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does a consulting engagement at oeconos work?
We start with a no-obligation initial consultation, analyse your starting position and develop a tailored approach together – from strategy through planning and financing to implementation and controlling.
Which companies do you advise?
We support medium-sized companies across all industries – established businesses as well as growth, restructuring and succession projects. We have a particular focus on the social economy.
Do you also support with public funding?
Yes. We know the relevant funding programmes and handle the tailored application. For our clients, we have already secured more than €5.8 million in funding.
What does consulting cost?
That depends on the scope of your project – and many consulting services are eligible for funding. In the initial consultation, we transparently clarify the objective, the effort involved and possible funding.
How quickly can we start?
Usually at very short notice. Simply get in touch and we will find a suitable date for your initial consultation together.
