Examples of projects
British Energy commissioned a study to seek evidence that low carbon businesses achieved an improved financial performance. There were two elements to the project - a survey of opinion formers, undertaken by our associate RSM, and desk research, undertaken by Profundus and comprising a review of published papers and other studies, along with a number of interviews. The conclusion was positive - there is considerable evidence - and British Energy published the resultant report.
SPC Network, a specialist consultancy in regulation and economics, won a project for the UK Competitive Telecommunications Association, to examine whether Ofcom is providing effective regulation to support the provision of services to business customers. Profundus idetified and researched a number of case studies which became an integral part of the conclusion anmd final report.
SciSys Ltd. won a major contract on behalf of the Office of Fair Trading to review its consumer helpline service, ‘Consumer Direct’, in order to provide recommendations for improvements to existing systems and processes and for future-proofing them in the event that its volumes increased. Profundus was responsible for information gathering and stakeholder consultation - ascertaining information and views from a wide range of parties involved.
On behalf of a charitable trust a feasibility study was researched and written for a new community resource in West Berkshire - a hydrotherapy pool. The study comprised a profiling of the market and assessing demand, location and design issues, recommendations on promotion and pricing, recommendations on management and staffing, and a financial model. Later, the same client commissioned a follow-on feasibility study for a gym equipped with power-assisted exercise equipment and co-located with the hydrotherapy pool.
Our associate, Cornwell Management Consultants plc, won a major study on Public Sector Broadband Aggregation for the Welsh Assembly. Profundus was subcontracted to manage and lead one of the three parallel tasks, to ascertain the present and future requirements of public sector bodies in Wales, in respect of telecommunications generally and broadband in particular. We then contributed to the appraisal of options and business planning.
Profundus worked with our associate in France to undertake a comparison, in the major countries of Europe, of incumbents' strategies in respect of wholesale DSL, local loop unbundling and leased lines. Profundus undertook research in the UK and our associates in Germany and Italy worked to the same specification to deliver the complete picture.
A leading UK provider of managed hosting services commissioned Profundus to undertake on its behalf a competitive benchmarking exercise and to make recommendations on a development programme and pricing in order to enhance its own market position.
A manufacturer of consumer durables, enjoying considerable success with its core product, was beginning to see a flattening of sales in the face of increased competition. Profundus was tasked to undertake research and produce a market model, which would be used for forecasting and strategic decision making.
The research arm of a Japanese bank was conducting a review of investment opportunities in the European and US telecoms industries. Profundus was invited to prepare papers on each, expressing views of events, key issues and future prospects.
A pan-European operator sought assistance in developing its DSL business plan. Profundus, working with an associate consultancy, researched and provided advice on a sector-based marketing strategy.
A US start-up, specialising in m-commerce solutions commissioned Profundus to seek partners and acquisition candidates in Europe. Acting with our associates in several European countries, over 80 companies were researched and shortlisted to 20.
A UK-based investment house/stockbroker required a search of software companies with a view to a possible acquisition
